（2002）Audit Issues and Content Analysis of Audit Practices Associated with Corporate Financial Reporting on the Internet.pdfVIP

Commerce Division Discussion Paper No. 96 AUDIT ISSUES AND CONTENT ANALYSIS OF AUDIT PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH CORPORATE FINANCIAL REPORTING ON THE INTERNET Richard Fisher Peter Oyelere Fawzi Laswad March 2002 Commerce Division PO Box 84 Lincoln University CANTERBURY Telephone No: (64) (3) 325 2811 Fax No: (64) (3) 325 3847 E-mail: fisherr@lincoln.ac.nz ISSN 1174-5045 ISBN 1-877176-73-7 Abstract The use of the Internet as a channel for the dissemination of corporate information is a recent and fast growing phenomenon. Indeed, it is likely that it will become the principal medium for the distribution of financial information to users. The use of the Internet for financial reporting creates unique opportunities and challenges for the auditing profession. Notwithstanding the significance and urgency of the related auditing issues, relatively little research has been conducted in this area. This study seeks to identify the key audit implications of Internet financial reporting, based on a comprehensive review of the academic and professional literature, and to obtain empirical evidence concerning the nature and extent of audit-related web practices through a content analysis of New Zealand listed company websites. The literature review highlighted issues relating to the role and responsibility of auditors for information placed on corporate