Exploring Digitalization Benefits in Auditing: A Case of Malaysian Financial Institution

Digitalization has revolutionized the auditing function across various industries, including the global financial sector, which is experiencing rapid transformation due to innovations in big data, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and other emerging technologies. These advancements provide unprecedented opportunities for internal auditing, enabling more efficient, comprehensive, and agile audit processes. This paper explores the multifaceted benefits of digitalization specifically within the context of internal auditing in the Malaysian financial sector. Adopting a qualitative case study design, this study employs semi-structured interviews with internal auditors who possess practical experience in integrating digital technologies into the auditing functions of financial institutions. The data collected was transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis, revealing several key benefits. These include enhanced data analytics capabilities, improved risk assessment and fraud detection mechanisms, and the facilitation of real-time collaboration. The findings demonstrate that the adoption of digital technologies not only streamlines audit processes but also lead to improved audit quality and productivity. The study concludes by identifying potential avenues for further exploration regarding the future of digital auditing in financial institutions, highlighting both opportunities and challenges for the continued evolution of the field