Expert systems moved from research laboratories to widespread use in the business world during the previous decade. Current data indicate that use will continue to increase in the foreseeable future. However, auditors have not comprehensively addressed the need for and feasibility of independent audits of these systems. This paper discusses factors that will soon create a demand for independent audits of expert systems. It then identifies a framework present in current professional standards that appears to be appropriate for proceeding with the auditing of expert systems. A hypothetical case is subsequently presented to illustrate one possibility of how measurement criteria, audit procedures and an audit report developed under these professional standards might appear. Potential practice problems and research issues are identified throughout the paper.
