Leveraging RPA for enhancing audit efficiency: Insights and challenges in the audit landscape

The adoption of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in auditing has emerged as a transformative trend, offering significant potential to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall audit effectiveness. This study explores the integration of RPA in auditing processes, identifying key areas where automation can streamline workflows and reduce human errors. Drawing from a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 professionals across diverse audit sectors, uncovering insights into the benefits, challenges, and strategic implications of RPA adoption. The findings reveal that RPA reduces routine task completion times by up to 50%, improves data accuracy by 40%, and delivers a 120% return on investment within two years. However, challenges such as resistance to change, skill gaps, and compatibility with legacy systems persist. This research highlights the necessity of effective change management, continuous skill development, and ethical governance to maximize RPA's potential. By addressing these challenges, this study provides actionable recommendations for leveraging RPA to revolutionize audit practices, enabling organizations to adapt to an evolving technological landscape.