Examination of Transformation Effects on Audit Support Professionals
Heikkanen, Eeva-Liisa (2019)
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019061116477
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019061116477
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this development project was to create a description of Group Audit Coordinator (GAC) work within the Assurance Transformation in financial years 2019, 2020 and 2021. Assurance Transformation means developing the audit delivery model and the related tools and methods in accordance with the company’s strategy. It aims to standardise, centralise and automate audit processes. Group Audit Coordinators are a group of ten people, working as coordinators and supporting teams mainly with audits in listed companies. The role of this group of professionals needs to be renewed along with the evolving audit processes. The focus of the development project was on the operating model change, which took place in spring 2019.
Existing knowledge was used to gain better understanding of the factors included in changing change the operating model in an organisation. The theoretical framework focused on overall changes in the audit industry, areas in transformation projects and characteristics and building blocks of change. In addition, issues regarding the nature of work groups and organisational restructuring were discussed.
The objective of the current state analysis was to obtain understanding of the Assurance Transformation processes, and how things were done in the current state. The current tasks of Group Audit Coordinators were explained. The data was gathered from various sources to identify the key elements of the different tasks of this group of professionals’ and possible future state alterations to the job description. The outcome was a description of Group Audit Coordinator work in financial years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The position of Group Audit Coordinator within the new operating model was described.
During the research project, additional areas for further development were identified as the transformation process develops. In addition to the role of the Group Audit Coordinator, there are other supporting positions in the audit organisation, which need a closer evaluation along the change process. This aspect remains as a development area for the future of the overall audit transformation programme.
Large transformation processes go through several phases and they take a considerable length of time. The operating model of the company develops over time and it is open to changes. Communication and role modelling hold an important role of successful transformation in an organisation.
Existing knowledge was used to gain better understanding of the factors included in changing change the operating model in an organisation. The theoretical framework focused on overall changes in the audit industry, areas in transformation projects and characteristics and building blocks of change. In addition, issues regarding the nature of work groups and organisational restructuring were discussed.
The objective of the current state analysis was to obtain understanding of the Assurance Transformation processes, and how things were done in the current state. The current tasks of Group Audit Coordinators were explained. The data was gathered from various sources to identify the key elements of the different tasks of this group of professionals’ and possible future state alterations to the job description. The outcome was a description of Group Audit Coordinator work in financial years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The position of Group Audit Coordinator within the new operating model was described.
During the research project, additional areas for further development were identified as the transformation process develops. In addition to the role of the Group Audit Coordinator, there are other supporting positions in the audit organisation, which need a closer evaluation along the change process. This aspect remains as a development area for the future of the overall audit transformation programme.
Large transformation processes go through several phases and they take a considerable length of time. The operating model of the company develops over time and it is open to changes. Communication and role modelling hold an important role of successful transformation in an organisation.