Assimilation of Automated Accounting in Indian Big 4 firms pertinent to TOE framework

Abstract

Purpose: In the era of digitalisation cloud accounting has emrged as a changeover in the field of accounting. With its numerous benefits such as cost effectiveness, real time access,security and data privacy it has proven to be a boon in this metamorphic phase.all you need is a device and an uninterrupted internet connection. This research paper will analyse the adoption rate of cloud accounting in indian big 4 firms with reference to all the factors of the theoritical framework of toe(technological, organisational and environmental).
Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a descriptive and empirical research design for the evaluation of hypothesis. Quantitative approach was followed in this research.a structured questionnaire which used 5 point likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree was prepared including 25 construct of toe framework and was distributed through google forms to target population of 150ca’s of big 4 firms. Only 100 ca’s responded.for this purpose snowball sampling or non probability sampling was undertakenand the primary data was collected. Further the data was analysed through ibm spss 31 by running regression analysis , factor analysis and correlation analysis.
Findings: Based on the analysis of data we conclude that toe factors such as spped, effectiveness, accessibility, data security and privacy, organisational support, IT infrastructure, budget allocation, receptiveness, technichal assistance ,regulatory standards, compliance, reliabilility,client expectations and market competition affect the adoption of cloud accounting positively. The implications of this research suggest that big 4s are actively using cloud accounting in all their functional areas. Clod accounting adoption has furthermore increased the efficiency and effectiveness of the business  and has increased the revenue of the firms manifold times.also it was concluded from the research that sap hana s/4 cloud is majorly used in big 4 firms in audit relkated areas. Also further more there is a void in research regarding the attitudes and perceptions of the ca’s in adoption of cloud accounting which has to be clarified.
Originality: The findings will be valuable for further research work to be done in this area. The findings will help various researchers, chartered accountants, accounting professionals etc to understand that big 4s are actively using cloud accounting . The data analysis reveal that the toe factors positively affect cloud accounting adoption rate and is positively correlated. Also this research work will further contribute to the existing literature .