For the last ten years, several studies on Models for Individual Information Technology Acceptance of Computer Assisted Audit Tools for Internal Auditors have been carried out. At first, most approaches used the Technology Acceptance Model, (TAM) with Unified Theory on Users Acceptance and Use, (UTAUT) being the most recent. All these studies were meant to discover how Internal Auditors accept new technologies and the factors that had influenced their decision for acceptance or not. Our main aim is to study the level of usage of Computer Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques and the factors that are relevant in technology acceptance for auditing purposes in the context of Portuguese Statutory Auditors. The acceptance of Computer Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques, CAATTs, has been cited as difficult among Internal Auditors in other countries. This problem can arise when available tools and procedures involve relevant and complex background in topics such as: Mathematics, Statistical and Advanced Concepts and Techniques for Information Systems. ANOVA or Data Mining algorithms and Artificial Intelligence for auditing procedures are examples of the difficulties expressed. This research aims to gain understanding of the complexities that exist for the Portuguese Statutory Auditors in the tasks they must perform, when they use Information Technologies for auditing purposes, and to define new factors that can influence their decision concerning program usage and to collect relevant points of view among this population concerning the pros and cons of CAATTs. To accomplish these main objectives, we did interviews focused upon a group of financial auditors. Our intention was to analyze and classify their responses in order to provide further insights into this expanding field of research. Additional, Information Technology usage and acceptance among Portuguese Statutory Auditors was also studied: data were collected using a questionnaire and these findings will be presented and discussed. Mainly, our research revealed that procedures for data manipulation and extraction, and tools to manage electronic work papers are the most popular. Beyond all the determinants defined in TAM and UTAUT, factors like the International Standards for Auditing statements for accomplishment and Supervision originating from the Auditing Quality Control Board have a positive influence on Information Technology acceptance for the Portuguese Statutory Auditors. This work makes two significant contributions: first, in terms of the theoretical, concerning the extension of an Individual Technology Acceptance model; and secondly, an empirical understanding of the Financial Auditors in their working context using Computer Assisted Audit Tools.

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Financial Auditing, Chartered Accountants, Statutory Auditors, Interviews Survey, online survey