Elevating the Audit Experience: Key Takeaways from CwX 2025 

Late last month, audit professionals, industry leaders and technology innovators gathered in Toronto for CwX 2025, a two-day conference designed to explore the future of audit and assurance. The event was filled with engaging panel discussions, product showcases and honest conversations between firms about what’s working and what isn’t. 

This year’s event highlighted the fact the audit profession is undergoing a profound shift driven by technology, but grounded in people. Across the event’s sessions, several core themes emerged: the need to balance innovation with trust, the importance of strong leadership to guide change, the growing emphasis on user experience in audit tools and the central role of collaboration between firms, vendors and individuals in driving lasting transformation.  

Whether it was a panel on AI integration or a discussion on firm culture, one thing stood out: many firms are embracing change to elevate the audit experience. 

Empowering people through technology 

The event opened with a keynote from Caseware CEO David Marquis, who emphasized the transformative role of technology in modern audit. He highlighted how AI and analytics are no longer optional enhancements, but critical tools that empower professionals to deliver higher-quality work with greater confidence and insight. Rather than replacing human expertise, Marquis emphasized that technology should augment it, enabling firms to navigate today’s regulatory and operational complexity more effectively. He invited attendees to embrace innovation and learn from each other’s experiences. 

That message resonated throughout the event, as firm leaders and practitioners shared how they’re turning that vision into action, starting with bold leadership and strategic investment. 

Setting the tone for transformation 

Led by Barry Melancon, former President and CEO of the AICPA and newly appointed Chair of Caseware’s Global Advisory Board, the leadership panel brought together executives from Citrin Cooperman, CBIZ and Forvis Mazars. The panel explored how firms are addressing industry-wide shifts, from private equity’s growing influence to rising client expectations and evolving business models. Melancon underscored the accounting profession’s historical role in bringing stability during turbulent times and called for leaders to double down on that responsibility. 

The panelists echoed this sentiment, sharing how their firms are taking proactive steps to innovate. Jeff Kovacs of Citrin Cooperman spoke about how private equity has accelerated his firm’s ability to scale technology investments while maintaining audit quality. Others emphasized the importance of embedding transformation into everyday decision-making and creating a culture that supports experimentation without overwhelming staff.  

Caseware’s product and technology vision 

That commitment to transformation came into sharp focus during Caseware’s product strategy session. Andrew Smith, Chief Product Officer, and Sam High, Chief Technology Officer, presented a forward-looking vision for Caseware’s global platform. Their mission: to build a secure, scalable, AI-powered platform that doesn’t just streamline workflows, but enhances how auditors think, work and deliver value. Central to that vision is a focus on interoperability, intelligent automation and intuitive user experiences. 

Smith and High underscored the importance of building tools that reflect the real needs of firms, not just in terms of features, but also reliability, agility and long-term value.  

The audit reimagined: Technology in action 

That vision came to life in the “Audit Reimagined” session, which explored how firms are reshaping engagement workflows using emerging technologies. Presenters from the AICPA and Caseware walked through how data analytics, machine learning and automation are being applied throughout the audit workflow, from planning and risk assessment to reporting. These innovations are helping firms move beyond static, manual processes toward more fluid, data-informed audits that deliver deeper insights and faster results. 

What’s changing is the nature of the audit itself. By embedding intelligence and automation directly into workflows, auditors spend less time on mundane tasks, allowing for more time to provide strategic insights. That shift is enabling more timely risk detection, better client conversations and stronger audit outcomes, all while improving staff efficiency and engagement. 

The people dynamic in tech adoption 

But no technology journey succeeds without people. One of the most relatable sessions of the conference focused on the human side of digital transformation. Panelists from Clark Nuber, Schneider Downs, AAFCPAs and MNP shared their strategies for overcoming resistance, managing competing priorities and building buy-in across teams. 

The consensus? Change management is not a one-time exercise. It’s an ongoing process grounded in empathy, communication and inclusion. Firms that prioritize people by involving them early, addressing concerns openly and giving them time to adjust are better positioned to realize the full potential of their technology investments. 

Unlocking efficiency and quality with AI 

Technology’s potential to improve both efficiency and quality was front and center in a product-focused session featuring Caseware’s suite of AI-powered tools: AiDA, Validate and Extractly. Danielle Supkis Cheek, Senior VP, AI, Analytics and Assurance with Caseware, emphasized that efficiency and quality are not opposing goals—they’re deeply linked. When tools help early-stage staff work like experienced auditors, rework is reduced and overall quality rises. 

The panel noted that intelligent automation isn’t just about doing things faster. It’s about doing them better. With tools that reduce manual work, guide decision-making and surface potential issues earlier, firms can free up their professionals to focus on what matters most: delivering insights and building client trust. 

Practical steps for implementation 

To close out the conference, Amy Fairchild, VP, Head of Global Solution Consulting and Industry Strategy, Caseware, Andrew Paul Director of Audit Technical, Baker Tilly, and Tricia Katebini, Partner, Audit & Assurance, GRF, offered a practical roadmap for firms embarking on their own tech transitions. They emphasized that success requires more than just deploying new software—it requires a well-defined vision, strong internal alignment and the importance of partnering with a trusted vendor. 

By breaking down the implementation process into manageable phases, starting with strategy, followed by planning, stakeholder mapping and iterative rollouts, firms can avoid common pitfalls and build lasting momentum. Their message was encouraging: with the right mindset and partnering with a trusted vendor, every firm can make the leap to modern audit technology. 

Beyond the main stage: Deep dives into Caseware’s platform and products  

In addition to the mainstage content, CwX 2025 offered a series of focused breakout sessions that gave attendees a deeper look at Caseware’s solutions and direction. Participants could choose from tracks tailored to their region and interests, including dedicated sessions on Canada-specific and U.S.-focused solutions, where Caseware experts walked through how our product capabilities align to firm and auditor needs. A session on the Caseware Platform provided a look into Caseware’s evolving platform strategy and the importance of a platform that integrates with a broader technology stack. It highlighted recent innovations in scalability, user experience and security. These breakouts gave attendees the chance to ask questions, see product capabilities and leave with insights to bring back to their teams. 

A highlight of CwX 2025 was the Tech Lounge, an interactive space where attendees could engage directly with Caseware’s product experts, explore new features firsthand and get their questions answered on-the-spot. It offered a hands-on look at the technology powering modern audit and assurance, with live demonstrations of key solutions from across the Caseware platform, as well as ecosystem integrations with trusted technology partners like Validis and Xero. 

Featured solutions included: 

• Caseware Sherlock – a cloud-based practice intelligence and analytics tool that helps make informed, data-driven decisions 

• OnPoint Audit and Dynamic Audit Solution (DAS) – cloud-based audit engagement solutions designed to help U.S.  accounting firms perform audits more efficiently and accurately, offering a choice of methodology options 

• OnPoint EBP – an end-to-end solution for performing U.S. employee benefit plan audits 

• Caseware Audit – a comprehensive, cloud engagement management solution, integrated with a smart methodology for Canadian firms. 

• Caseware ReviewComp – a collaborative, cloud-based engagement management app designed specifically to support review, compilation and a wide range of non-attest engagements for Canadian firms. 

• Caseware SQM – a robust, intuitive, cloud-based system of quality management 

• Caseware Financials – a global cloud-based app, designed to assist organizations and accounting firms in creating professionally formatted and accurate financial statements 

A community moving forward together 

The conversations at CwX 2025 made one thing abundantly clear: the future of audit isn’t something that will happen to the profession. The profession is actively creating what the future of auditing will look like. Every firm that shared their transformation story and every leader who discussed change management challenges demonstrated that elevating the audit experience is already underway. 

The question isn’t whether your firm should embrace this transformation, but how quickly you can get started. Whether that means piloting AI-powered analytics, reimagining your engagement workflows, or simply having more intentional conversations about change management, the path forward begins with a single step. 

Ready to elevate your audit experience? Explore how Caseware’s solutions can support your firm’s transformation or connect with our team to discuss your specific challenges and opportunities.