ARBUTUS
User-Friendly Comprehensive Data Analytics for Auditors
Join the 1000s of Auditors making their job easier and more insightful with Arbutus
Watch this video to find out more about Arbutus
Established over 25 years ago and utilised in over 60+ countries and 6 Languages
Arbutus Analyzer is a powerful data analytics tool designed to help users obtain insight from their data, or to identify data omissions or errors.
Arbutus is suitable for any industry and teams of any size, including single users. It’s a credible replacement for Caseware IDEA, ACL, and Alteryx, as well as offering a natural upgrade to Microsoft’s “free” products.
Perfect for non-techy users.
Easier to use than Excel and far more powerful.
Includes “No-Code” Analytics.
Powerful, complex analytics – simple to use and understand.
Support from Auditors for Auditors.
All for the equivalent investment of 3 auditor hours per month!
Don’t get left behind! Auditors worldwide are upping their game and using detailed data analytics to provide management with impactful recommendations to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve control adherance.
DATA CONNECTORS
Arbutus includes a growing suite of data connectors that allow direct access to popular data sources, such as Databases, Cloud Sources, and Application Data.
Specialist SAP connectors are also available.
Some of the connectors available include:
Integration with PowerBI,
Python and R
To enhance analytics functionality, Arbutus plays nicely with other analytics software packages.
Python and R commands can be initiated from within Arbutus to provide that extra dimension to your analytics.
Arbutus has a dedicated PowerBI connector providing a direct data feed to the organisation’s PowerBI dashboards and reporting mechanisms.
BUILT IN ACCESS
Without adding any other connection modules, Arbutus can import directly from the following sources:
Delimited files (.cdv, .del)
Excel (.xlsx)
Access (.accdb, .mdb)
Flat files (.txt)
XML
AS400
Cobol Copybook
PL/1
dBase
ODBC-compliant databases (Oracle)
Data Security
Arbutus does not access or host client data; instead, it is installed on-premise or within your cloud environment, ensuring complete control over your data and who can access it.
KEY FEATURES
Does This Sound Familiar?
- You’re an auditor who’s ready to harness the power of detailed and comprehensive data analytics but doesn’t know where to start.
- Maybe you don’t feel anyone is ‘techy’ enough to undertake this task and finally move away from relying on Excel.
- As an auditor, spotting anomalies and omissions in your data is vital, but it can also prove time-consuming and difficult at times.
- Trying to work out the right formula or worrying that things are being missed in the sheer volume of data.
Imagine being able to process data from multiple sources faster and with more accuracy. So nothing gets missed, and you also gain much deeper insights.
Arbutus software can do exactly that for the same investment as three auditor hours per month!
It can identify even the most hidden anomalies and omissions while also providing detailed insights, making your audit team the go-to for valuable insights.
Yet despite its powerful capabilities, it’s incredibly easy to use.
- Choose from pre-written tests, drag-and-drop analytics, powerful in-built function buttons or bespoke coding to suit your needs and skills
- Easy transition if currently using Excel
- Complex functions with the touch of a button
- Comes with 70 pre-built tests
- Simple to perform repeatable tests
No data leaves your organisation (on-premise data storage)
Designed for use by audit / business users (not data scientists)
Choice of four usage approaches, including no-code analytics
Advanced functions to simplify and speed up complex analytics
Easily capture and repeat analytics
Connect to virtually any data source (including Cloud and Azure environments)
No data size or record number limitations
Flexible licencing approach
Includes 70 pre-built tests (no subscription required)
PowerBi connector available
Fully scalable to a fully integrated Continuous Assurance tool
ARBUTUS TRAINING
We offer several training solutions to help you master the skills in using Arbutus data analytics software.
For training breakdown, pricing and timetable visit out training page.
ARBUTUS COMPONENTS
Analyzer Plus
Powerful and Versitile data analytics desktop application
Arbutus Analyzer is the cornerstone and workhorse of the platform. It is the desktop interface through which the user interacts with the software and the data.
Hub
Shared resources & automated analytics centralised, staged & secure Data
The Arbutus Hub is the the central component of the platform that hosts data files, tables and procedures. It can also be used to schedule procedures (automations).
Results Manager
Browser based managment
The Arbutus Results Manager is an optional component that adds exception resolution workflows to the system – automatically direct errors and omissions to the right person for investigation and resolution.
Web Connect
Browser based data analysis portal
Arbutus Web Connect is an optional component that provides browser based access to the entire analytics repository, acting as a self-serve analytics portal.
WHY USE ARBUTUS
Established over 20 years ago, Arbutus combines the best functionality within the data analytics market in a single, cost-effective product.
Arbutus is suitable for any industry and teams of any size, including single users. It’s a credible replacement for Caseware IDEA, ACL, and Alteryx, as well as offering a natural upgrade to Microsoft’s “free” products.
- Safe and Secure – Your data doesn’t leave your organisation
- Fully scalable – Including Repeatable Analytics and Continuous Assurance
- Analyse virtually any Data Source
- Integration with PowerBI, Python and R
- Flexible Training and Licencing Options (no minimum licences)
- Support from Auditors, not just software specialists
What Sets Arbutus & Technology 4 Business Apart:
Deployability:
Multiple interaction methods and a familiar feel to Excel encourage adoption across the entire team.
Analytics Power:
Optimised for modern multicore processors, no file size limit and direct reading of delimited files ensures superior performance.
Flexible Licensing Options:
With no minimum licence requirements and a mix of licence types, our licencing options have you covered.
ACL Compatibility:
Arbutus is fully compatible with existing ACL projects, enabling a seamless switch to Arbutus.
ABOUT TECHNOLOGY4BUSINESS
Technology 4 Business is a UK-based training and software company specialising in auditing and analytics. Founder Neil Macdonald has previously held roles as Head of Audit, so he fully understands the Audit analytics process and its challenges.
“Auditors are often underappreciated, and I want to change that by helping you to effectively and easily use detailed analytics to not only make your job easier but also to provide greater insights and value to management.”
During my time in audit, I worked in a number of different teams, used various audit methodologies and tried a range of audit analytics tools. This experience led me to select Arbutus Analyzer as our data analytics software of choice.
We introduced it to the UK, knowing that the software alone can make a big difference to audit teams. However, it becomes even more powerful when coupled with support from me and other auditors. We can advise and help clients not just on how to use Arbutus but also on how to best use the technology within an audit context and methodology to achieve the outcome that they are looking for.
This sets us apart from others in the data analytics market who use technical specialists for their client support and who may not fully understand what auditors are trying to achieve and the best audit techniques to help you get there.
Neil Macdonald
Founder of Technology 4 Business
Case Studies
Arbutus Analytics Resources
Curious about how Arbutus software can transform your business operations? There are several comprehensive case studies available that showcase real-world applications and the impressive results achieved by various organisations.
We invite you to explore these success stories to gain a better understanding of the capabilities and benefits of Arbutus software. Gain insights into how Arbutus software can optimise your processes, enhance efficiency, and drive success in your industry.
HOW CAN I USE ARBUTUS
- Analyse 100% of transactions.
- Identify error trends and root causes.
- Efficient testing with up to near time / real time frequency.
- Delivery of Continuous Assurance tests
- Identify unusual transactions / transaction patterns
- Search for known (fraud) data patterns
- Real-time / Near-time fraud detection
- “Normalizing” addresses for advanced data matching
- Confirm the correct format of data records
- Identify and quantify data errors
- Identify error trends and root cause analysis
- Create remedial workflows to correct errors
- Automate reconciliations and release staff to higher value tasks
- Perform typical External Audit tests in advance of the audit
- Automate manual controls
- Perform advanced duplicate payment tests before the payment is made
- Identification of key words i.e. Expenses description
- Automated SOx Testing
- Automating IT General Computer controls
- Analyse firewall / activity logs and alerts
- Segregation of Duty checks
- Generate control reports
- KPI Adherence / Reporting
- Automate manual controls
- Identify unusual transactions and transaction trends
- Create remedial workflows
ARBUTUS SMART APPS
Get a Headstart Driving Your Analytics Results
Designed for users at all levels. SmartApps are Arbutus procedures (scripts) that are part of the standard Arbutus Analyzer installation. There are 70 SmartApps, and they execute widely used audit analytics in the following business areas:
Accounts Payable (AP) Analytics
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Accounts Receivable (AR) Analytics
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Fixed Asset (FA) Analytics
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Fraud/ Compliance (FR) Analytics
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General Ledger- Journal Entries (JE) Analytics
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Inventory (IN) Analytics
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FAQ
Why have I not heard of Arbutus?
Although Arbutus has been in existence for over 20 years and is used in over 60 countries worldwide, it is a relative newcomer to the UK market, with Technology4business bringing it to the UK market 3 years ago. Still same timeline?
What data can I use?
Analyzer can accept data of virtually any data type or source. Standard “structured” data formats are accepted with ease, data from PDF documents and reports can be can used, as can data from over 70 common applications, sharepoint and cloud repositories via ODBC connectors.
Specialist connectors to SAP and PowerBi are also available to enhance flexibility and insight that you can gain from Analyzer.
Do you have standard tests included?
Yes, Arbutus has 70 standard tests included within the licence fee (no additional cost/subscription required). These utilise user friendly menus to allow users to define test parameters
What sets Arbutus Analyzer apart from my existing Data Analytics Tool?
Well of course it depends on what tool you are currently using! But key aspects that our clients comment on are:
– Deployability: the ability to choose the method of interacting with Arbutus, from “drag and Drop” instructions, through powerful command buttons / menus for common tasks, to Excel familiar expressions means that users are able to choose which method of interaction they prefer. This encourages and helps adoption across the whole team.
– Analytics Power: All tools claim the most power / fastest analytics speed – but with the direct reading of delimited files, and software optimised for modern multicore processors – we are so confident on Arbutus’ performance that you can try it on your own data and decide for yourself.
– Flexible Licencing Options: Whether you want single licences or concurrent, for use by the whole team, (or both) our licencing options have you covered.
– ACL Compatibility: Arbutus is fully compatible with any existing ACL projects that you have, and users will find Arbutus familiar.
Where is the data held?
Arbutus does not access or host Client data. Instead, Arbutus is installed “on-premise”, or within your own cloud environment. This means that you are always in control of your data and who has access to it.
Continuous Auditing / Monitoring / Assurance
What is Continuous Assurance?
Often referred to as Continuous Auditing or Continuous Monitoring, we prefer to use the term Continuous Assurance, as this encapsulates the core principles without getting bogged down in terminology and discussions around Audit Independence.
In essence, Continuous Assurance is the “industrialisation” of data analytic tests / routines. Typically these will run without intervention in an automated schedule that is appropriate to the analysis being undertaken. This could be to test the operation of a key control, or to address a key “pain point” within the organisation.
The results are automatically communicated to key stakeholder as specified (automated email, web browser portal, or remedial workflow).
How can we use it?
In essence, Continuous Assurance is the “industrialisation” of data analytic tests / routines.
Typically this means that analytics are run without intervention via an automated schedule that is appropriate to the analysis being undertaken, with the results automatically communicated to key stakeholder as specified (automated email, web browser portal, or remedial workflow).
Continuous Assurance can be used to test the operation of a key control, or to address a key “pain point” within the organisation – at a time and frequency appropriate to the analytics requirement.
How can Arbutus help?
Arbutus provides a full range of complementary products that means that Arbutus is completely scalable to keep pace with your data analytic requirements.
Products include, Arbutus Analyzer (desktop software), Arbutus Hub (data sharing, scheduling of automated analytics, publishing of analytics results), Arbutus WebConnect (allows access to analytic results via a web browser), and Arbutus Results Manager (integrate analytics outputs with remedial workflows to facilitate the correction of errors / omissions by organisational management).
How can we get started?
The traditional approach to Continuous Assurance is what we call the “Audit Recycle” approach – when the Audit team “industrialise” the analytics undertaken during their audits. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this approach, the incremental approach means that it can take some time for the Continuous Assurance to “come on-line” and make an impact.
If you are looking for something more immediate, or you have a known pain point, Technology4Business can work with you to provide a fully deployed Continuous Assurance solution. Please enquire for further information.
Is it just for audit?
Absolutely not! On of the key benefits of using Arbutus for Continuous Assurance, is the seamless integration with the operational areas of the organisation. Remedial workflows can be designed and built to manage the resolution of identified anomalies and exceptions by management, with automated reporting dashboards enabling the timely and accurate tracking of remediation activities.
enquiries@technology4business.co.uk
or +44 1332 505 901.
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