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Computer assisted verification: e-Audit and risk assessment

Learn how we audit your electronic financial records (e-Audit) using computer verification and risk assessment tools.

Last updated 8 June 2023

Benefits of computer assisted verification (e-Audit)

The benefits of using computer assisted verification (CAV) in audits and other compliance activities include:

  • being cheaper and more efficient to provide information electronically
  • fewer requests to supply paper copies of transactions and reports
  • providing electronic information reduces the time we spend on your premises, minimising disruption to your regular business activities.

A tax officer skilled in e-Audit will also be able to analyse your electronic information more efficiently, accurately and thoroughly than if they had used manual processes.

The e-Audit process

The following describes how we work with you when conducting an e-Audit.

Accessing your records

Using formal access powers we are permitted full and free access to documents required for the purposes of the Acts we administer. Documents include electronically stored information.

We will usually seek access to your information through a cooperative approach, and we will consult with you on the records required.

Supplying electronic information

When we identify a need for electronic information to be provided, we will schedule a meeting to obtain that information. We will always discuss this with you beforehand to develop an understanding of your system and identify what information we may need to collect.

We seek to understand:

  • the accounting systems you use
  • your system architecture and how the data flows through your system or systems
  • the format and extent of your electronic records
  • the documentation available to assist in our analysis – for example, your chart of accounts, reference tables or data dictionary.

We are flexible when organising a meeting time in which your tax adviser and information technology specialist are available to attend to gain the most benefit out of the meeting.

During the meeting, we may request that you download a copy of the mutually agreed electronic information from your system to any of the following:

  • a tax officer's secure biometric thumb drive
  • a secure drop box via SIGBOX
  • any other agreed medium.

We recommend you keep a copy of the electronic information you supply to us for your own records.

Where we have provided you with a request for data

If we have made a request for data, you can save time by having the following information ready. Generally, you will need to provide us with:

  • names and versions of all the point of sale, accounting, payroll, financial management system, enterprise reporting system (ERP) or any other software and systems used in the course of meeting your tax obligations, including manual processes
  • contact details of the accountant or accounts manager who prepares your business activity statements (BAS) or financial records
  • information such as system support documentation which can include a system architecture diagram, data dictionary, BAS preparation papers and other working papers.

If you are unable to provide any of the above, we will assist you as much as possible. We may visit your business premises again to obtain the data we require to carry out our analysis. This could include bank records and copies of back up data for the period included in our enquires.

Data review and analysis

We use specialised software to verify that the data that you provide is accurate and complete. We then conduct a series of tests on your data to ensure you comply with tax laws. We conduct these tests in accordance with the nature of the compliance activity we are undertaking.

Our specialised software allows us to perform tests on the data without altering the data itself, so the integrity of your data is protected.

There is no risk to your computer system

During the e-Audit process, you provide us with a copy of the required data from your systems. We will not operate your computer system.

When the compliance activity is completed

The data that you provide us will be stored as part of a case file kept as a record of the compliance activity.

Your information is secure

Electronic and paper records you provide for the compliance activity are protected by law. Your information is maintained in accordance with both:

For more information, see Your privacy.

Your rights

It is important that you are aware of your rights and obligations when dealing with us. If we advise you that we intend to undertake compliance activities in relation to your tax affairs, we will tell you about your relevant rights and obligations as set out in the Taxpayers’ Charter.

In addition to Taxpayers’ charter – what you need to know (NAT 2548), which sets out your rights and obligations, the charter booklet If you’re subject to review or audit (NAT 2558) tells you what you can expect if you’re subject to a face-to-face enquiry or audit from us.

More information

To obtain more information, you can:

If you do not speak English well and need help from us, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, phone us through the National Relay Service (NRS) on the numbers listed below:

  • TTY users, phone 13 36 77 and ask for the ATO number you need
  • Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users, phone 1300 555 727 and ask for the ATO number you need
  • internet relay users, connect to the NRS on relayservice.com.auExternal Link and ask for the ATO number you need.

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