Characteristics of the internal audit and external audit hours: evidence from S. Korea

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 629-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ho-Young Lee ◽  
Hyun-Young Park
Keyword(s):  
Internal Audit ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Audit Efficiency ◽  
Financial Statement Audit ◽  
Legal Expertise ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Using 5,055 sample firm-years in Korea between 2009 and 2013, this paper aims to examine the association between the characteristics of the internal audit and the number of external audit hours as a proxy for audit efficiency. Design/methodology/approach This study is motivated by the International Standard on Auditing No. 610: “Using the work of internal auditors”. This auditing standard guides external auditors in using the work of internal auditors to obtain audit evidence and consult internal auditors for direct assistance. The authors expect that external audit efficiency will increase when the work of competent internal auditors is used. Findings The authors find that the number of internal auditors relative to the number of employees is associated with the number of external audit hours. This result suggests that the greater the availability of internal auditors, the greater their contribution will be to the financial statement audit and the more efficient the audit. The authors find evidence that external auditors use the work of internal auditors with accounting and legal expertise to improve audit efficiency. They also find some evidence that the work of internal auditors with greater availability is more effective during initial external audit engagements. Originality/value This study adds to the extant literature on the contributions of internal auditors to external audits by using archival data and by measuring audit effort using a large database of audit hours. In addition, our findings have practical implications for firms and external auditors who are evaluating the role and value of using the work of internal auditors. The authors also believe that the findings will be of interest to regulators or auditing standards boards.

scholarly journals The scope and limitations of external audit in detecting frauds in company’s operations

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragomir Dimitrijevic ◽  
Biljana Jovkovic ◽  
Suncica Milutinovic
Keyword(s):  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Early Detection And Prevention

Purpose This study aims to investigate what are the capabilities and limits of external audit in detecting frauds in companies operating in the territory of the Republics: Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Design/methodology/approach In total, 51 certified auditors from Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were surveyed to analyze what are the most frequent warning signals of the existence of the frauds auditors encounter during the verification of company’s financial statements. Findings The study indicated that the auditors of the Republic of Serbia more often encountered groundless overstatement of revenues compared with other countries, while regarding manipulative representation of inventories, the largest mean value and median are still among the auditors of the Republic of Serbia. Practical implications Based on the research results, it can be concluded that it is necessary to expand the legal obligation and power of external auditors when, in financial statement auditing, they come to clear findings that indicate fraud. Expansion of external auditors’ powers would reduce their current limitations and expand the domain of action. Originality/value Limitations in external auditors’ work prevent the processing of frauds. However, auditors’ analysis of financial statements and pointing to potential irregularities can be a good manner for the early detection and prevention of frauds in company’s operations.

The impact of audit reforms on objectivity during the performance of non-audit services

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Brody ◽  
Christine M. Haynes ◽  
Craig G. White
Keyword(s):  
Audit Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Auditor Liability ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Regulatory Perspective ◽  
External Auditor ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Non Audit Services

Purpose – This research aims to explore whether recent audit reforms have improved auditor objectivity when performing non-audit services. Design/methodology/approach – In two separate experiments, the authors tested whether external and internal auditors' inventory obsolescence judgments are influenced by their client's (or company's) role as the buyer or seller in an acquisition setting. Findings – External auditors assessed the likelihood of inventory obsolescence objectively, regardless of their consulting role in the acquisition setting. Internal auditors assessed the likelihood of inventory obsolescence as higher when consulting for the buyer than when consulting for the seller, consistent with the supposition that the buyer would prefer to write-down inventory and negotiate a lower purchase price, whereas the seller would prefer the inventory not be written down. Practical implications – From a regulatory perspective, external auditors may be relying too much on the work of internal auditors if internal auditors' lack of objectivity as consultants extends to their assurance role. Originality/value – This paper extends prior research in the area of internal and external auditor objectivity and is the first paper to include both subject groups in the same experiment. It also addresses the current policy issues that may have a significant effect on audit quality and auditor liability.

Characteristics of statutory internal auditors and operating efficiency

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 456-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moon-Kyung Cho ◽  
Ho-Young Lee ◽  
Hyun-Young Park
Keyword(s):  
Internal Audit ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Operating Efficiency ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Korean Market ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the characteristics of statutory internal auditors on operating efficiency. Design/methodology/approach – This study investigates three characteristics pertaining to statutory internal auditors, namely, compensation, activity and expertise, based on 1,340 firm observations from 2009 to 2010 using publicly available disclosure data for Korean listed firms. Findings – The authors find no evidence that statutory internal auditors’ compensation is positively associated with operating efficiency. This implies that compensation data on statutory internal auditors in Korea may not directly reflect their competence and ability to enhance operating efficiency. On the other hand, the authors find evidence for a positive association between full-time status for statutory internal auditors and operating efficiency and a positive association between the attendance at board meetings for statutory internal auditors and operating efficiency. The results also show a decrease in operating efficiency when statutory internal auditors are newly appointed. Finally, expertise of statutory internal auditors in financial or legal matters provides no advantage in terms of operating efficiency. Practical implications – This study contributes to the extant literature on internal audit by examining the advisory role of statutory internal auditors and its effect on operating efficiency, which is one of the objectives established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Originality/value – While most prior research on internal audit depends on survey data from statutory internal auditors or experimental data based on a limited sample of firms, this study is based on a large sample of publicly available data of the Korean market.

scholarly journals The effects of human resources in internal audit on external audit pricing decision

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4-1) ◽  
pp. 165-180
Author(s):  
Moon Kyung Cho
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Auditor Independence ◽  
Professional Judgment ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Internal Auditor ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
General Internal

This study presents evidence that external audit fees are negatively and significantly associated with the proportion of general internal auditors. Further, external audit hours are negatively and significantly associated with the proportion of general auditors without affecting external unit audit price. In addition, the results of the data adjusted for firm size suggest that audit fees and audit hours decrease for smaller firms as the proportion of general internal auditor increases. The result implies that both small firms and their external auditors are encouraged to utilize more general internal auditors in performing an external audit. The author finds no evidence that external audit fees are associated with internal auditor expertise or experience. This shows that external auditors are not likely to rely on internal auditors’ professional judgment in performing an external audit due to reduced auditor independence.

The Influence of Internal Audit on External Audit

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Ana Silva ◽  
Helena Inácio ◽  
Elisabete Vieira
Keyword(s):  
Significant Influence ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
The Relationship

The main purpose of this chapter is to analyze the relationship between internal and external audit and its effect on external audit fees, through a questionnaire addressed to the external auditors of Portugal and Spain. It obtained 131 answers for Portugal and 149 answers for Spain. According to the results, the competencies and characteristics of internal auditors, as well as the type of activities performed by them and the communication between internal and external auditors, have a significant influence on the decision of using the internal audit work. However, the Portuguese external auditors do not consider this influence to be so significant that it affects the number of substantive tests, the quality of external audit, and external audit fees. However, for Spanish auditors using internal audits decreases the planned hours, the number of control and substantive tests, and improves external audit quality, but does not reflect in the fees to be charged to the client.

The Effect of Using the Internal Audit Function as a Management Training Ground on the External Auditor's Reliance Decision

2011 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 2131-2154 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. Messier ◽  
J. Kenneth Reynolds ◽  
Chad A. Simon ◽  
David A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Internal Audit ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Management Positions ◽  
The Many

ABSTRACT This study examines how using the internal audit function (IAF) as a management training ground (MTG) affects external audit fees and the external auditors' perceptions of the IAF. Over half of all companies that have an IAF specifically hire internal auditors with the purpose of rotating them into management positions (or cycle current employees into the IAF for a short stint before promoting them into management positions). Using archival data, we find that external auditors charge higher fees to companies that use the IAF as a MTG. Using an experiment, we provide evidence as to why fees are higher. Specifically, we find that external auditors perceive internal auditors employed in an IAF used as a MTG to be less objective but not less competent than internal auditors employed in an IAF not used as a MTG. These results have important implications for the many companies that use their IAF as a MTG. Data Availability: Contact the authors. Data provided by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation are subject to restrictions.

Interaction between internal and external auditors – insights from a developing country

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 840-861
Author(s):  
Grace Mubako ◽  
Susan Charowedza Muzorewa
Keyword(s):  
Developing Country ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
E Mail ◽  
African Setting

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the nature and extent of interaction and the relationship between internal auditors (IAs) and external auditors (EAs) from the perspective of the IAs in a developing country, Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach This study was carried out by soliciting the opinions of chief audit executives (CAEs) in Zimbabwe through an online survey that was distributed via e-mail. Findings The study finds that the interaction between the IAs and EAs is limited and that EAs may not be making full use of the internal audit function (IAF). Findings also suggest that the relationship between the auditors is, in some instances, strained and that the actions of management do not always facilitate the fostering of a good, productive relationship between the auditors. Originality/value Results of this study contribute to the understanding of the nature and extent of interaction between the IAF and EAs in an African setting. The study also solicits qualitative data about the relationship between IAs and EAs where previous research has largely focused on objective measures, failing to take into account factors such as attitudes and biases, which can affect this relationship. Finally, the results of this study bring to light important, previously under-explored issues, which provide opportunities for future research.

scholarly journals PERSPECTIVE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ON THE INTERACTIONS OF INTERNAL AUDIT WITH MANAGMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE INTERNAL - EXTERNAL AUDIT LINKAGES

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-70
Author(s):  
Dawit Tadesse Tiruneh
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Good Corporate Governance

Literatures based on developed countries suggest an interaction of internal audit with management has impact on the internal-external audit linkages and the interactions and linkages have their own contribution toward the realization of good corporate governance. Nevertheless, these interactions have not been sufficiently explored in developing countries such as Ethiopia. This quantitative research examines in the form of explanatory study the interaction of internal audit with management and its impact on the internal- external audit linkages in Ethiopia. By doing so, it explained the causal relationship between variables through hypothesis testing. The research method of this study was a constructed questionnaire, which was sent to companies and to the 100 top management, internal auditors, and external auditors in Ethiopia. As it has been examined, existing findings suggest that organizations can enhance corporate governance’s effectiveness by strengthening the interactions of internal audit with management and in the meantime as the result of this impact by upgrading the internal-external audit linkages. In line with this, the results indicate interactions of internal audit with management depend on the level of the result of internal audits’ effectiveness, as the result, it positively moderates the internal-external audit linkages.

Communication of the external auditor with the audit committee

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 900-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiphaine Compernolle
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
External Auditor ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how external auditors communicate with audit committees (ACs). Design/methodology/approach A total of 53 interviews were conducted with participants in the ACs of 22 French companies listed in the CAC 40 index, including external and internal auditors, CFOs, AC chairpersons, and members. Findings In multiple accountability relationships, external auditors sit in the middle. They therefore use impression management (IM). While AC members expect them to be transparent, they are also expected to preserve managers’ “face” by sustaining impressions of consistency. The construction of impressions of consistency and transparency takes place mainly backstage, through time-consuming teamwork shared by auditors and CFOs. External auditors have power to make things transparent, but the use of such power is tricky, because it can damage relationships with CFOs. External auditors have a difficult “discrepant role” (Goffman, 1959) to play. Practical implications This study provides insights into what occurs behind the scenes with ACs, which can help regulators think deeper about relationships between external auditors and ACs. Originality/value This research makes contribution to governance, IM, and AC literature. It analyzes the AC process from external auditors’ – rather than AC members’ – points of view. Highlighting the AC process backstage, it shows that IM can be carried out collectively toward an internal rather than external audience and demonstrates that external auditors practice rather than limiting IM.

scholarly journals How senior managers perpetuate accounting fraud? Lessons for fraud examiners from an instructional case

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Lokanan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Accounting Fraud ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Management Personnel ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the risk factors that led to the Livent fraud, and the procedures that need to be taken by responsible parties to carefully investigate and address the incidents of misconduct. Design/methodology/approach – The paper combs through the chronology of events that led to the Livent fraud by looking at both primary and secondary sources. These sources made it possible to examine how the fraud was discovered, and the investigative steps that should have been taken to uncover the fraud. Findings – The findings indicate that a corporate culture which focuses on the bottom line coupled with weak to non-existent internal controls were the key elements that led to the Livent fraud. The findings also illustrate that when faced with declining profits, senior managers will go to any length possible to manipulate and falsify their company’s records. Practical implications – The paper is useful to management personnel and fraud examiners in that it used an actual accounting fraud case to highlight areas more susceptible to fraud and the approach that can be taken to investigate similar cases of misconduct. The paper also highlighted the practical implications for internal and external auditors in detecting and addressing fraud. Originality/value – The study used an accounting fraud case to examine the techniques used by management personnel to produce fraudulent financial statement.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document