Internet as an audit resource tool.

With the widespread awareness of the Internet as a source of information, using it as a resource tool is applicable to the audit profession. The study helps to categorize the information on the Internet pertaining to the audit work into relevant classifications. In addition, the study aims to investigate the extent to which local auditors use Internet as an audit resource tool. Using Rogers' model of the five perceived characteristics of an innovation, the study identifies the factors that contribute to the usage of the Internet as an audit resource tool by auditors. The study revealed that as many as 75.3% of the auditors were not aware of the auditrelated information in the Internet. A mere 2.4% of the auditors indicated that they were aware of audit-related information on the Internet and used it in relation to their audit work. Among the reasons cited by the auditors for not using the Internet as an audit resource tool, cost of obtaining the information from the Net (time-based charge), little time and few opportunities to try out the Internet were some of the factors for not using the Internet. On the whole, the auditors' awareness of the audit-related information and the usage of the Internet as an audit resource tool were low. The main reasons for the lack of usage of the Internet as an audit resource tool stemmed from the fact that most of the auditors lacked knowledge in respect of the type of audit-related information on the Internet. Recognizing the potential of the Internet as a powerful audit resource tool in the audit profession, the ICPAS and the public accounting firms should look into ways to improve the awareness and extent of usage of the Internet as an audit resource tool among auditors.ACCOUNTANC