The UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) recently released guidance on how audit firms should deploy automation and AI. While not regulatory, it sends a clear message: AI tools need robust controls, accountability, and alignment with audit quality standards.
At Trullion, we see this guidance as validation of what we’ve always believed. AI should amplify professional judgment – not replace it – with enterprise safeguards built in.
Here’s how our AI-powered Audit Suite already aligns with the FRC’s guidance, and what this means for firms ready to build scalable, future-proof audit practices.
1. AI as a tool to support – not replace – human judgment
What the FRC recommends. Auditors must remain responsible for reviewing AI outputs, understanding methodologies, and ensuring tools are fit for purpose. AI should never replace professional judgment.
What Trullion already does. Our Audit Suite helps automate data extraction, substantive testing, and financial statement review – while embedding review tools and direct links to source evidence.
We use AI to automate the manual, time-consuming parts of audit procedures. Auditors then validate the results, allowing them to focus on higher-value work like judgment, risk assessment, and delivering meaningful client insights – not document wrangling.
2. Safeguards for consistent, compliant use
What the FRC recommends. Firms need controls to ensure tools are properly designed, implemented, and used. This includes defining responsibilities for tool selection, clear documentation, and output validation.
What Trullion already does. As a cloud-native platform, Trullion ensures standardized, compliant use across engagements:
- Centrally managed access and roles to define permissions and workflows
- Version control and real-time updates to prevent outdated or unauthorized usage
- Embedded documentation detailing feature purpose and methodology
These controls drive consistent, compliant usage – and a clear understanding of tool functionality – across the organization.
3. Rigorous testing for accuracy and reliability
What the FRC recommends. Tools should be thoroughly tested to confirm their logic, accuracy, and outputs, both at initial implementation and on an ongoing basis.
What Trullion already does. We invest heavily in continuous validation:
- Daily end-to-end functionality tests and automation routines
- Weekly performance reviews, with escalations triggered by automated alerts and CX team oversight
- Regular benchmarking of outputs against updated ground truth datasets
Any anomalies trigger instant notifications for resolution. We provide outputs that auditors can trust, every time – even as standards evolve.
4. Clearly defined use cases and limitations
What the FRC recommends. Tools must have clear intended use cases, and practitioners should understand limitations to avoid misuse.
What Trullion already does. During onboarding and implementation, we work with firms to:
- Validate specific use cases for rollout (we call these “anchor use cases”)
- Define the right tests and workflows for each engagement type
- Clarify scope limitations and responsible usage boundaries
These validated procedures are embedded into platform workflows and supported by reference documentation, ensuring that teams apply tools appropriately and consistently.
5. Practitioner guidance, training, and accountability
What the FRC recommends. Firms should provide training and guidance so practitioners can use tools effectively, interpret outputs, and perform reviews.
What Trullion already does. We provide:
- Comprehensive knowledge bases covering platform functionality and audit methodology considerations
- Customized firm-specific training during onboarding, with internal guidance materials
- Workflows that reinforce practitioner accountability, making clear that AI supports – not replaces – professional judgment
Our platform is designed for explainability, oversight, and audit trail visibility, aligning fully with FRC best practices.
Looking ahead
The FRC’s guidance reflects a global reality: AI is here to stay in audit, but it must be used responsibly. At Trullion, these principles are embedded into everything we build. We strive to empower auditors with robust, compliant technology and ready for the realities of modern audit work.
Exploring how to integrate AI into your audit practice? Talk to our experts today.