Batch control totals, such as those on the batch transmittal sheet, are also a valuable tool in doing IT audits and fraud audits. For example, it is typical in IT audits to download a copy of the database or sets of data files from a real-time, online system to a microcomputer for analysis and audit procedures by the auditor.
One technique for assuring that the data being downloaded are the same data as those being analyzed and tested is to perform batch controls on the live system, which will then be used as control totals for the data loaded on a separate system.