EY rolls out AI audit tools across global assurance

EY has rolled out agentic AI across its global Assurance business, covering 160,000 audit engagements in more than 150 markets.

The move is part of a multibillion-dollar investment in audit quality, technology and staff. The system is now embedded across all phases of the audit process through EY Canvas, the firm's global assurance platform, which processes more than 1.4 trillion lines of journal entry data each year.

The rollout affects the daily work of 130,000 assurance professionals. EY has introduced a multi-agent framework to help audit teams manage complex tasks, analyse data, identify risks and access updated auditing and accounting guidance during engagements.

The system is integrated with Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Foundry and Microsoft Fabric. EY says the technology is intended to reduce administrative work for clients while leaving audit decisions to people.

EY is also updating its audit methodology alongside the technology rollout. The changes are intended to strengthen quality, tailor workflows to individual engagements and improve risk assessments as companies use more artificial intelligence in their own operations.

The shift comes as audit firms face growing pressure to handle larger volumes of data and address new questions about how to assure AI systems. EY cited its own survey of chief executives, which found that 97% of companies have started, or plan to start, enterprise-wide transformation programmes.

Client work

Alongside the internal changes, EY is offering new assurance services to audit and non-audit clients focused on AI diagnostics, governance, risk management and controls. These services are designed to help organisations assess readiness, manage AI-related risks and support accountability as they modernise systems and processes.

"As we help the world's leading organizations transform, we hold ourselves to the same standard - starting as 'client zero.' The rapid growth of data, and the new complexities of assuring AI, demand that our people and technology evolve faster than ever. EY's human-led, AI-powered audit of the future is a market-leading example of enterprise AI in action, delivering greater value, deeper insight and increased confidence for our clients and stakeholders-accelerated by our continued investment under the All in strategy," Janet Truncale, Global Chair and Chief Executive Officer, EY, said.

The new tools follow a period of testing and pilot work. EY's stated aim is for agentic AI to support end-to-end audit activity by 2028.

Microsoft tie-Up

Microsoft technology sits at the centre of the new framework. EY's alliance with the US technology group underpins the deployment, with the audit tools built on Microsoft cloud and AI systems.

EY also pointed to outside recognition for its AI work. The firm is part of the inaugural Frontier Firm AI Initiative, a collaboration between Microsoft and Harvard Digital Data Design Institute, and one of 14 organisations recognised for deploying advanced AI at scale.

"EY's pioneering use of Microsoft's cloud and AI solutions shows what is possible when advanced technology is deployed at enterprise scale. As a recognized Frontier Firm, EY is leading the way in responsible, scalable AI for assurance-accelerating innovation while helping organizations realize real business value," said Judson Althoff, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Commercial Business.

EY says the deployment was developed and tested in line with its nine principles of responsible AI. The firm has also joined the Stanford University Institute for Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence Industrial Affiliates Program as it expands work in this area.

Training push

A large training programme will accompany the rollout. EY plans to upskill all of its global audit and technology risk professionals this year through structured learning that includes immersive, in-person sessions, with course content updated to reflect changes in regulation, technology, and methodology.

"EY's commitment to our own transformation uniquely positions us to help organizations around the world implement AI at scale. With our people at the center, and powered by our alliance with Microsoft, EY is delivering greater value, deeper insight and increased confidence for our clients and stakeholders - as we will continually redefine the value of the audit in an AI-era," Marie-Laure Delarue, Global Vice Chair - Assurance, EY, said.

The scale of the rollout makes it one of the broadest AI deployments yet disclosed by a large professional services network in its audit practice. It also shows how the biggest accounting firms are trying to build AI into core audit work rather than limiting its use to back-office tasks.

"EY's bold steps to embed AI within one of our most foundational services - building trust and confidence in capital markets - send a strong signal about the power, potential and reliability of this technology. This transformation is underpinned by EY's deep, long standing strategic alliance with Microsoft, whose cloud and AI technologies are integral to the responsible, secure and scalable deployment of advanced AI across EY's assurance business globally," said Raj Sharma, Global Managing Partner - Growth & Innovation, EY.