Digital Financial Reporting

Any significant change is hard. However, success is the most likely outcome for XBRL-based digital financial reporting.  While change does require effort, the majority of people committed to change do tend to succeed.

Certified Public Accountants should be active participants in the process of creating digital financial reporting, not passive bystanders.

But to participate, you need to get the proper background information.  If you don't, then there is a very high probability that you might not understand the change.

One big area of confusion relates to how XBRL-based financial reports will be audited.  Here is a summary of my thoughts related to auditing the meaning being conveyed by XBRL-based digital financial reports.  Make no mistake: ultimately, XBRL-based information will be audited.

I updated the documents Digitizing Financial Reports and Overview of Professional Accountant's Interests, Perspective, Position, and Risks.  The document can be very helpful in getting professional accountants to understand why they should be participating in and shaping the change to digital.  The documents help professional accountants understand and think about important issues related to going digital.