Auditing Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Organizations implement and execute automation e.g. through the creation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) initiatives, comprising portfolios of programs and projects, which become the vehicles for executing the organization’s Robotics strategy.
Financial institutions and banks automate more and more business processes using Robotic Process Automation. The business needs and benefits (e.g. automation of manual repetitive manual tasks) together with the full implementation costs is defined in the business case, which justifies the required investment. Financial institutions are regulated entities and specific regulations like MaRisk require banks to perform sufficient oversight.
Audit departments therefore need to define and implement specific Audit Programs in order to cover RPA specific risks and controls.
Agenda for Auditing Robotic Process Automation (RPA):
1) Introduction incl. Importance of RPA and Types of Robotics
2) Robotics in the Banking Industry incl. Robotics Center of Excellence, Robotics Delivery Model and RPA Framework
3) Audit Program incl. High Level Risk Assessment, Key Controls, Risks and Test Plans as well as Lessons Learned