Tap the power of Microsoft Excel.

• Author: Lanza, Richard B.
• Position: Brief Article

A free white paper, "Using Excel as an Audit Software," shows how Microsoft[R] Excel can analyze data as powerfully as more expensive audit software packages. This white paper facilitates using audit software, allowing auditors to focus on the more critical activities of brainstorming new tests and improving clients' business intelligence.

The white paper does not give an in-depth explanation of Microsoft Excel concepts, but provides guidance on using the product's features in an audit setting. Although Excel has some limitations (namely, it can only handle roughly 67,000 rows of data), it can be used to easily filter records, join tables, look for duplicate transactions, and complete complex analytical tests such as regression analysis. All...