This issue focuses on auditing technology and while much emphasis has been placed on selecting the best applications and utilizing them effectively, there are a number of tools that auditors can use to further optimize their practice. These tools begin with laptop computers and include backup, communications, and security capabilities that every firm should consider for their Auditors Tool Kit. 

The standard laptop has come a long way since the first “luggable” Compaq.  An auditor working locally has an option of screens as large as 17 inches while those that travel extensively will continue to opt for a smaller 12.1 inch or 14.1 inch screen which saves weight and allows them to work on airplanes.  As the standard cost has come down significantly, we recommend firms stick with the major name brands such as Dell, HP/Compaq and Toshiba.  We also recommend buying their corporate line products such as the Dell Latitude rather than the Inspiron to ensure the components are standardized which makes maintenance easier on internal IT departments.  If buying less than six units at one time, it is worthwhile to consider the complete coverage warranties, which will usually have a technician in onsite with replacement parts the next day.  If you buy more workstations than this, it is often less expensive to purchase an additional laptop and load it with all the firm’s audit applications than to pay for the onsite warranty for every computer.  When a laptop has a malfunction, the auditor is given the “hot” spare and the broken computer is sent in for depot service, which usually is completed within a week.   

While weight may be a significant concern for executives when traveling, auditors require functionality.  This functionality comes with a larger case, additional weight usually totally six to nine pounds, and often includes extended battery life, larger hard drives, faster processors and expansion ports for printers, scanners, external monitors, and PC cards for broadband cellular access.  Today’s recommended units for auditors are the Latitude 620 and 820 series. Smaller units for executives such as the Dell X-1 are great at under three pounds, but they often require additional plug in devices to add functionality, which are often left behind. 

Security of these devices is critical and begins with protecting the information housed on the laptop.  For situations where an auditor is alone, a USB memory stick capable of backing up the entire audit binder is recommended.  These devices come in various sizes but today we recommend units with at least 1Gb of memory and a built in security capability such as the Lexar JumpDrive Secure units which retail at under $60.  In the event the memory stick is lost or stolen, the data on the secure portion of the drive is password protected.   

For auditors working in teams and using an audit document container such as CCH ProSystem fx Engagement, CaseWare Working Papers or Thomson's Engagement CS, many will synchronize their data between the laptops or back to the office when they have adequate Internet connectivity.  To ensure that no one accesses data on a laptop that is left unattended, it is always recommended that the firm train their auditors to lock down their screen when leaving the work area or many firms have their screensaver turn on automatically after 15-20 minutes without use.  For those individuals that work on airplanes or other public areas that are concerned that someone may be looking at their screen, 3M has developed some very effective privacy screen filters that allow the user to work comfortably on their laptop while everyone around them only sees a black screen. 

Physical security is also important as we constantly hear about laptops being stolen. To minimize the risk of this, it is recommended that the laptop be locked whenever they are not in transit.  Many firms utilize cable locks from Kensington or Targus that can attach the laptop to a secure work area.  To make it easier for the auditors, some firms have chosen to buy two locks so the auditor has one permanently attached to their desk and another in the audit bag.  There are also “twin” lock devices that allow the auditor to lock down an additional peripheral such as a printer, scanner or projector if they have one with them in the field.  

Connectivity is a critical aspect of working today beginning with the ability to link to another computer or an Internet connection.  While the majority of firms still utilize a physical switch and Ethernet cables, a growing number have standardized their wireless setups so that audit staff can work in the same proximity and share files.  WiFi access has not been as reliable as the physical connections, but firms have found that by standardizing laptops on the same version of Windows, setting up field profiles and utilizing some of the WiFi management tools such as Colligo, that they have better reliability.  WiFi hotspots can also be used to connect to the Internet when the auditor is in transit.  To assist the auditor in finding a WiFi connection, there are WiFi locator tools from Kensington and Canary that will let you know if a service is present without having to boot up your laptop.     

For those times when a client cannot provide an Internet connection, there is also the option of broadband wireless connections that utilize the digital communications infrastructure of the cellular providers. Verizon, Sprint and Cingular have wireless calling plans that connect your laptop to the Internet via a PC Card.  The services connect to the Internet at average speeds of 400Kbps to 700Kbps in most metropolitan areas and are ideal for synchronizing email and transferring files.  While the cost is usually $60 to $80 per month, this can be much less overall than the $8-$10 per day charged by hotels and airports for WiFi usage. Richard Oppenheim, CPA.CITP reviewed such a unit, the Kyocera KR1 Mobile Router powered by D-Link in the April/May 2006 Issue of CPA Tech Advisor entitle "A Dozen Specialized Hardware Products You Should KNow About available at www.CPATechAdvisor.com.

While the goal of most auditors is to go digital and eliminate any paper, there are times when having a printer in the field makes sense.  While many auditors have opted for small inkjet printers from Canon or HP, the cost of the toner and speed of print makes them less than optimal for any volume of work.  In this situation many firms have opted for personal laser printers such as the HP1012 series that can print at 15 pages per minute for under $200.  While these units are bulkier to transport, they are more cost effective than having a senior feeding pages into an inkjet and the quality of the output is better. 

For those times when a client hands the auditor a stack of documents that need to be scanned into your workpapers, there are a variety of scanners that will make this task more effective, depending on volume.  For larger stacks, Fujitsu has the ScanSnap unit that can do double-sided scanning at 15 pages per minute. This unit received an honorable mention in the CPA Technology Advisor's 2005 Tax & Accounting Technology Innovation Awards.  This unit is quite mobile and while the cost is $450, it includes a copy of Adobe standard ($300 value), which should also be in the auditor’s tool kit.  For those times when you only need a quick scan of a single page, we would also recommend you take a look at the Planon DocuPen scanner.  This small “wand” scanner will fit in any audit bag and scan and store hundreds of images, even in color.  While it is somewhat pricey and may be tagged an Executive tool, at just under $300 it is the most mobile scanner we have ever used. 

The auditing profession will always rely on having staff work onsite at client locations.  Having the right set of tools makes those practices more proficient. 

This article is reprinted with permission from the CPA Technology Advisor and appeared in the August 2006 issue. Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, CITP is president of InfoTech Partners North America, Inc. and works exclusively with CPA firms to implement today’s leading best practices and technologies