Business Analytics and Continuous Assurance: Theoretical Matters, Practice Issues, and Future Directions

Business analytics (BA) has gained prominence in the field of continuous assurance (CA). It has been represented as a critical element in promoting the advancement of CA and transforming risk and assurance practices. However, to date there has been limited theoretical guidance and empirical research in this area. The active role that BA plays needs to be unpacked and better understood. The aim of this paper is to (1) theoretically focus attention towards the role that BA plays in CA and (2) provide empirical insights based on an exploratory analysis of four case studies. The research is grounded in a practice based view and socio-material approach. BA is shown as a multi-faceted object that shifts and changes form over time and not necessarily in an orderly trajectory represented in current guidance. This research also offers important theoretical and empirical insights for the field of BA.