CaseWare IDEA vs. MindBridge Platform

One example of specific scenario in [CaseWare] IDEA is the ability to run samples separately and then based off of the results, compare and contrast the values recorded and easily discern if there are any variables or discrepancies within the data itself. Also, we can test journal entries with certain parameters to check the audit for any issues that may arise pertaining to the criteria. By testing, we are able to make sure the data is accurate and sufficient.

Incentivized

MindBridge [Platform] is an excellent tool to use to gain additional comfort over client's data. The key areas it helps with are analytical procedure risk and inherent risk, but depending on the data you have, it can also be able to assess control risk to a degree. It's a very malleable tool that can be made to fit your client, however, it does require upfront work (as the implementation of any new technology would). The tool may not be scalable for audit work that is very low-risk and requires little hour input in the first place as it may add more hours in the long-run than the normal audit would incur. Our team has used these low-risk audits in our implementation, however, to corroborate the results we get, which we felt has helped us achieve our successes with the tool.

Incentivized

• Easy to understand and easy to use.
• Can use on large quantities of data and quickly analyze them.
• Uses logic that can be followed if one is an auditor. I, for example, could understand the logic in a number of samples, i.e how the number of samples thrown changes when risk changes from low to moderate in proportion taking in consideration the materiality.
• Other audit firms are using 2 software for the process that IDEA alone can do. So IDEA has a definite advantage here.
• Customizable by the company.

• Discovering and analysing patterns
• Identifying anomalies
• Extracting other useful information in data underlying the audit through analysis, modeling, and visualization

• Bit of a learning curve for the advanced features as a beginner.

Incentivized

• Because the software is so robust, the learning curve is fairly lengthy, but MB's customer service has been fantastic.

The only reason I do not give this a 10 is that I would like a deliverable risk report. This would enable me to offer additional services to my non-audit clients.

I would rate it a 9 because I never really needed support on this but if I did, there was the necessary support given promptly.

My experience with customer support may different since I started using the application early on. I am also providing continuous recommendations for improvement or additional features. They have always been available when I needed them and they actually listen and value my opinion. They have implemented many of our recommendations and asked for our input on possible new features.

I have used Microstart and would definitely vote for IDEA because IDEA combines what Microstart does with the help of one/more softwares. Where Microstart just gives a number of samples, IDEA selects the number of samples based on materiality, risk, and other factors. It selects those samples from the population leaving out line items that are invalid/ zero. I would prefer using IDEA any day.

We did not consider any other similar products.

• We were able to save time by over 200 billable hours over our last busy season cycle
• We saved roughly 12% on costs compared to the last program we used.

Incentivized

• In the past, we did not obtain a lot of new audits because we were not the cheapest. Since using this product, we have obtained clients because we use AI. Not because we lowered our price, but because we are using AI to target the risk at the transaction level and delivering better audits.
• I have passed the cost of this software to my clients, so there has been no impact on my bottom line.