AI Auditor: Facing the Real-World Audit Challenge
Financial audits are no longer just about ticking compliance boxes. For CX and EX leaders in professional services, the audit’s journey now includes complex IT controls, tighter regulations, and rising client demands for transparency. Stress levels peak when outdated manual processes run into the real-world challenges of IT General Controls (ITGC) testing. This pain is felt everywhere—from the audit partner to the frontline analyst, and of course, by the client awaiting their report. That’s where the need of AI Auditor arises.
Yet something is shifting. When HLB Mann Judd, a well-regarded Australasian accountancy network, selected Platformed’s AI Auditor to automate ITGC testing for statutory financial audits, it wasn’t just about time savings. It represented the next wave of digital transformation for audit and assurance—where artificial intelligence, efficiency, and confidence finally intersect.
Audits: Beyond Compliance to Total Client Confidence
“Audits are not just about compliance—they deliver real insight and confidence for our clients,” says Jude Lau, Senior Partner at HLB Mann Judd. His words echo a new CX reality: stakeholders expect more than the bare minimum. They want audits to uncover risks, offer actionable findings, and establish a foundation for trust, not just pass-fail verdicts.
Still, delivering high-quality, consistent results is hard—especially across global offices and complex client landscapes. Manual ITGC testing is labor-intensive and prone to errors. Standardization remains a perennial challenge, particularly as clients increasingly demand multi-framework assurance.
Enter Platformed’s AI Auditor: Standardization Meets Smart Automation
HLB Mann Judd’s deployment of Platformed’s AI Auditor signals a strategic pivot. The AI agent automates the most time-consuming steps in IT audits:
- Automatic discovery of risks and context mapping
- Preliminary control compliance assessment
- Prepping actionable insights for human review
- Collaborative workflow for clients and auditors
- Effortless evidence pack generation for case management
In a world where auditing practices must align with ASA 315 (Australia’s equivalent of ISA 315) and other frameworks, AI’s ability to harmonize processes is transformative. Platformed bridges these standards, allowing HLB Mann Judd to deliver audits that aren’t just faster—they’re repeatedly consistent and higher quality, regardless of the office or client sector.
HLB Mann Judd isn’t alone in recognizing this shift. Other forward-thinking firms, like Menzies LLP, have turbocharged audit delivery and quality using similar AI-powered platforms.
CX Transformation: The Real Value for Audit Clients
AI automation in auditing is a CX game-changer for several reasons:
- Faster Turnaround: AI slashes the time to audit completion, benefiting clients who need timely assurance for regulatory and business decisions.
- Clarity and Confidence: Data-driven assessments replace guesswork, yielding clearer findings and tangible improvement actions.
- Consistency Across Offices: Whether a client is based in Sydney, Auckland, or Fiji, Platformed ensures audit quality doesn’t waver.
- Scalability and New Services: With standardized tests and AI-powered risk analytics, firms can offer more comprehensive IT assurance—turning routine audits into value-rich advisory sessions.
According to industry benchmarks, AI automation can reduce audit labor hours by up to 40% for ITGC testing. The ability to handle more audits—at higher quality—translates into greater profitability and competitive edge.
Expert Commentary: Expanding the Auditor’s Toolbox
Henry Irish, CEO of Platformed, highlights, “HLB Mann Judd’s decision to adopt our platform underscores the growing importance of technology assurance in statutory audits. We’re proud to support their drive for consistent, efficient, and high-quality audits—helping clients unlock even greater value from assurance.”
This isn’t just tech optimism. Global audit consultancies confirm that automation speeds up risk discovery and improves the granularity of insights. The collaborative features baked into Platformed’s workflow mean auditors can engage clients more deeply, requesting targeted information or clarifying anomalies—making every audit cycle sharper.
HLB Mann Judd’s Winning Formula: Vision, Technology, and Trust
HLB Mann Judd’s Australasian Association consists of 11 independent member firms and two representatives, spanning major markets across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Their specialists serve a diverse client pool—growing businesses, governments, non-profits, and individuals—each with unique risk profiles and assurance needs.
By embedding Platformed’s AI Auditor, the network is not just boosting productivity; it is setting a new bar for trust and transparency in audit delivery. HLB teams embraced Platformed following an enthusiastic trial phase, quickly building a strong partnership with the tech vendor. The upshot: reliable, scalable audit processes, ready to evolve as IT and regulatory landscapes shift.
Case Study: ASA 315 Assessment—Reimagined
Consider a typical ASA 315 assessment, which mandates risk-based audit approaches tailored to each client’s complexity. Instead of wading through spreadsheets and disparate documentation, auditors use Platformed to:
- Instantly map each client’s IT environment
- Auto-discover key risks and control gaps
- Validate control compliance for financial reporting
- Prepare comprehensive evidence packs for easy regulatory submission
Reports generated plug directly into existing auditor templates—no need to reinvent workflows. This seamless integration means audit firms maintain full regulatory compliance while enhancing both client experience and operational efficiency.
Opportunities Ahead: A New Blueprint for Audit and Assurance
HLB Mann Judd’s approach sets the stage for the entire global auditing industry. As AI auditor adoption rises, three strategic trends emerge:
- Multi-framework auditing: Firms can expand into IT assurance services beyond statutory audits, supporting multiple risk and control frameworks.
- Advisory-led relationships: Fast, high-quality audits unlock bandwidth for consultative guidance, helping clients build resilience and proactive compliance strategies.
- Global consistency: AI delivers repeatable, scalable audit mechanisms—essential for cross-border firms managing complex portfolios.
Looking ahead, audit networks can leverage AI-enabled platforms to remain agile in the face of new regulations, cyber risks, and client expectations. CX practitioners will play a central role in harnessing this technology, translating audit data into insights for holistic business transformation.
Actionable Takeaways for CX/EX Professionals
- Evaluate Automation Solutions: Audit and assurance teams should assess where AI can streamline controls testing, risk analysis, and reporting.
- Empower Auditors with Collaborative Tech: Choose platforms that blend automation with workflow tools for easy client engagement and agile evidence collection.
- Invest in Standardization: Consistency across teams and geographies is key for quality; AI-powered systems make it achievable without slowing down delivery.
- Focus on Value, Not Just Compliance: Use fast, accurate audits to deepen client relationships—shift conversations from error-finding to insight generation.
- Leverage Data for New Service Lines: Automated audit insights deliver clear opportunities for broader advisory and IT assurance offerings.
The future of audit and CX is here. By championing automation, firms like HLB Mann Judd and their partners ensure audit becomes a vehicle for insight, trust, and continuous improvement—not just regulatory box-checking. Now is the moment for CX and EX leaders to shape that future, turning every audit into an opportunity for transformation.
Ready to unlock more value from your audits? For further information and demo requests, visit platformed.com.
