Blockchain: how does it work?

Blockchain is tipped as a technology game-changer, set to transform accounting, audit and banking. But how does it work?

A blockchain is a single ledger that records transactions between organisations. Everybody with permission to join can see the same information in real time.

It is claimed that blockchain could reduce fraud and accounting errors. Groups such as the Australian Government’s research organisation, the CSIRO, and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) are investigating its use.

This explainer video is an introduction to the technology and answers some of the questions around security and the impact blockchain could have on finance and global trade.

TRANSCRIPT

How does blockchain work?

A blockchain is a single ledger that records transactions between organisations, their suppliers and customers.

An audit trail is created as data is added in linked “blocks” and as more information is added, a chain of blocks is built.

Everybody with permission to join the blockchain can see the same information in real time.

You can see who added each block, and at what time.  Blocks can’t be removed or changed.

All the users – rather than just one controller – own the blockchain, and they are all responsible for maintaining it.

In a private blockchain, the users decide who can join the ledger and their level of access. Some information can be encrypted to protect commercial confidentiality.

A company could have a blockchain with a supplier, with a client, with its bank and with the tax office.

So what does this mean for accountants?

By creating a single ledger over a network of computers, companies, their clients, banks and tax authorities record and share information.

When any of them adds information, the ledger automatically verifies and reconciles the data.

There won’t be any need for each party to maintain its own private ledger, so accountants won’t be required to do all the transactional processing and reconciliation.

How safe is blockchain?

Blockchain could reduce fraud and accounting errors.

When a block of data, is added to the chain, the rest of the network has to verify it.

If you are doing business via the chain, all the computers on the network will identify you and check you have permission to transact.

So, if you’re due to pay $120 and you transfer only $100 by mistake, other blocks will pick up the error.

Cybersecurity is strong with blockchain

A hacker would have to get into the entire network of computers at around the same time to do any damage.

If they hacked only one computer, the other users would be able to see and react.

Blockchain could disrupt the audit profession

The chain itself creates an automatic audit trail in real time, so if blockchain is widely adopted, there won’t be a role for auditors to verify transactions conducted within the blockchain.

It’s not only accounting and audit that face disruption

Blockchain is a peer-to-peer network that cuts out intermediaries such as banks.

The Australian Securities Exchange is looking at how blockchain could replace the existing clearing and settlement system for share trades.

Blockchain could make international payments and land transfers faster, and enable safer authentication of an individual’s or a company’s identity.

That’s why the Australian Government’s scientific and research organisation, the CSIRO, is investigating how blockchain could work across government and the private sector.

Promises such as these are why more than US$1.4 billion was invested worldwide in blockchain technology in the three years to 2016.

These are early days for blockchain, but if it lives up to the promises, it will change accounting and audit functions significantly.

Accountants and auditors will have to rethink the way they work and perhaps offer clients higher value work that involves strategic insights and thinking. 

Blockchain – it might just open a whole lot of doors.

This article was originally published in IN THE BLACK