Internal audit functions, financial reporting quality and moderating effect of senior management support

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkadir Madawaki ◽  
Aidi Ahmi ◽  
Halimah @ Nasibah Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Actions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the relationship between internal audit functions (IAF) and financial reporting quality (FRQ) and whether such a relationship is moderated by senior management support (SMS) in listed companies in Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Design/methodology/approach This research is a cross-sectional study, using primary data in the form of a survey sent to 175 listed companies in NSE. A total of 149 questionnaires have been collected and analysed out of which 97 were found to be useful and used in the final analysis. Findings The findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between internal audit qualities of work performed, internal control activities, coordination between internal and external auditors and FRQ and this finding was also supported by SMS as a moderator. However, the results show a negative and insignificant relationship between internal audit competency, organisational status and FRQ. Research limitations/implications The findings support the assumption with regard to agency theory. The board should support the IAF to serve as an effective monitoring mechanism in minimising opportunistic management actions. Regulators should also ensure adequate structures that will strengthen the organisational status of the internal auditors to perform towards improving FRQ. Originality/value The study contributes to the existing literature by assessing the effect of IAF on FRQ as moderated by SMS.

Factors influencing the implementation of risk-based auditing

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Hafizah Zainal Abidin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Audit Function

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine, from the agency perspective, the influence of internal audit and audit committee attributes, as well as risk management and internal control systems, on the implementation of risk-based auditing among public-listed companies in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was distributed to the in-house internal audit function in approximately 620 public-listed companies. Consequently, data from 117 heads of the internal audit function was collected and analyzed. Findings The findings indicate that “audit committee review and concern” and “risk management system” are significantly and positively related to the implementation of risk-based auditing. Most importantly, the results indicate the importance of audit committee inputs and concerns in reviewing internal audit activities. Empirically, the findings also suggest that a more formalized risk environment would foster the existence of a strong risk-aware culture and hence provides a strong foundation for internal audit to implement risk-based auditing. However, internal audit experience, size of internal audit function, audit committee qualifications, and internal control system are not found to be significant predictors of the presence of risk-based auditing. Research limitations/implications This study examined only risk-based auditing practices in the in-house internal audit function of public-listed companies; hence, the findings cannot be generalized to all Malaysian-listed companies that outsource or co-source their internal audit activities. Social implications An effective internal monitoring mechanism and better quality of internal audit work will minimize potential risks that prevent the achievement of company objectives, reduce propensity to falsify financial information, and improve financial reporting quality. Originality/value This study contributes evidence concerning the relationship between internal monitoring mechanisms and the implementation of risk-based auditing among in-house internal audit activity.

Influence of internal audit reporting line and implementing internal audit recommendations on financial reporting quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Alzeban
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to explore the influence of internal audit (IA) reporting lines and the implementation of IA recommendations (IMPLEMENT) on financial reporting quality (FRQ). Design/methodology/approach Data were obtained from the annual reports of 201 UK listed companies, and also from survey questionnaires completed by the chief audit executives working within those companies. Two measures are used as proxies of FRQ: abnormal accruals and accrual quality. Findings Findings indicate that when IA reports directly to the audit committee (AC), there is a significant positive influence upon FRQ. Conversely, when IA reports to the chief executive officer (CEO) or chief financial officer (CFO), there is a negative impact on FRQ. It is further shown by the results that lower income-increasing accruals are evident when there is greater IMPLEMENT, thereby showing an accompanying positive influence on FRQ. Moreover, the results indicate that greater adoption of such recommendations is also associated with internal reporting lines, i.e. when IA reports directly to the AC, FRQ results improved. Originality/value These findings contribute to the literature in the field of IA reporting, by introducing new insights regarding reporting lines and IMPLEMENT, and the influence of these on FRQ, and by establishing those insights through empirical work undertaken in the UK where little research on this issue has been reported.

An examination of the impact of compliance with internal audit standards on financial reporting quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 498-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Alzeban
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of internal audit (IA) compliance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (ISPPIA) on financial reporting quality (FRQ). Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from 142 chief audit executive from Saudi listed companies, and also from the annual reports of the participating companies. Two proxies are used to measure FRQ, namely, discretionary accruals and accruals quality. Findings The findings reveal that companies demonstrating higher IA compliance with standards have better FRQ. They also indicate that the interaction between IA competency and its compliance with standards has an impact on FRQ. Further, the findings provide evidence that FRQ is higher in companies where IA departments have formal documentation, that is, entirely consistent with the ISPPIA. These results retain their robustness after further analysis. Originality/value In offering these findings, the paper contributes to the existing IA literature by introducing evidence from a Middle Eastern context, namely, Saudi Arabia, of the link between IA compliance with the ISPPIA and FRQ. It confirms the role of IA in FRQ, and hence, as an element of corporate governance, information, which is valuable for both the institute of internal auditors and companies.

Material weakness disclosures and restatements: value of external auditor attestation

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-380
Author(s):  
Binod Guragai ◽  
Paul D. Hutchison
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Material Weakness ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the value of auditor attestation in internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) disclosures. The authors argue that internal control material weakness (ICMW) disclosures issued without auditor attestation by non-accelerated filers provide weaker signal to the impaired financial reporting quality compared to those issued with auditor attestation by accelerated filers. Design/methodology/approach This study investigates the differences in the association between ICMW disclosures and impaired financial reporting quality, as proxied by financial statement restatements, for accelerated and non-accelerated filers. The authors use propensity score matching to find control groups for both accelerated and non-accelerated filers. Findings The authors find that ICMW disclosures signal impaired financial reporting quality for both accelerated and non-accelerated filers, but such signaling is weaker for non-accelerated filers compared to accelerated filers. Research limitations/implications Although propensity score matching was used to match firms with and without ICMW disclosures, any unobservable fundamental differences between these groups may affect the results of this study. Originality/value This study shows that auditors’ involvement in the assessment of internal control effectiveness improves the signaling effect of ICMW disclosures on impaired financial reporting quality. As approved by the House Financial Services (HFS) Committee on November 4, 2009, non-accelerated filers are permanently exempt from auditor attestation requirement. This study provides some evidence that the exemption of non-accelerated filers from auditor attestation may have unintended consequences, and these results should be of interest to regulators and investors.

Internal control and financial reporting quality of small firms

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-246
Author(s):  
Jagan Krishnan ◽  
Jayanthi Krishnan ◽  
Sophie Liang
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Material Weaknesses ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The Dodd–Frank Act of 2010 exempts small, non-accelerated filers from compliance with Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) Section 404b internal control audits. However, these firms are required to comply with other internal control regulations, namely, SOX Sections 302 and 404a, starting in 2002 and 2007, respectively. A small number of these firms also voluntarily adopted (and sometimes dropped) Section 404b during 2004-2010. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a series of internal control regulations introduced by SOX on the financial reporting quality of small firms. Design/methodology/approach The research design for this study is empirical. Using unsigned and signed discretionary accruals as measures of financial reporting quality, the authors compare the financial reporting quality for adopters and non-adopters across four regulation regimes over the period 2000-2010: PRESOX, SOX 302, SOX 404a and SOX 404b. Findings The results indicate that most of the adopters and non-adopters benefited from SOX 302 and 404a compared with the PRESOX period. However, only the non-adopters gained incrementally when moving from SOX 302 to SOX 404a. Also, Section 404b benefited firms with material weaknesses, as well as firms without material weaknesses that had the lowest reporting quality, in the PRESOX period. Research limitations/implications This study helps inform the important policy debate on whether to increase the threshold that is used for the SOX 404b exemption. It shows incremental benefits for firms that adopted Section 404b audits, even when they were complying with Section 302 and Section 404a. Consequently, extending the exemption to more companies would result in a loss of the reporting quality benefit of 404b. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by focusing exclusively on non-accelerated filers and by examining differences across four regulation regimes over a long window compared to prior studies. It provides evidence that the financial reporting benefit of SOX 404b is not transitional, but rather extends for a few years even after some firms discontinued the 404b audits.

scholarly journals Corporate governance, internal audit quality and financial reporting quality of financial institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Twaha Kigongo Kaawaase ◽  
Catherine Nairuba ◽  
Brendah Akankunda ◽  
Juma Bananuka
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Board Independence ◽  
Role Performance ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between corporate governance attributes (board expertise, board independence and board role performance), internal audit quality and financial reporting quality using evidence from Uganda's financial institutions.Design/methodology/approachThis study research design is cross sectional and correlational. The study used a questionnaire survey of Chief Finance Officers, Senior Accountants and Internal audit managers of financial institutions in Uganda. Data were analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences.FindingsResults indicate that board expertise and board role performance are significantly associated with financial reporting quality. Also, internal audit quality is significantly associated with financial reporting quality. Board independence is not a significant predictor of financial reporting quality.Originality/valueThis paper provides insights of what matters for financial reporting quality in Uganda's financial reporting quality. It uses the qualitative characteristics of financial statements to measure financial reporting quality. This paper focuses mainly on the conceptual framework developed by the International Accounting Standards Board.

scholarly journals Determinants and consequences of internal audit functions within colleges and universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1143-1166
Author(s):  
Steven DeSimone ◽  
Kevin Rich
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Federal Grant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Associated

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify factors associated with the presence and use of internal audit functions (IAFs) at US colleges and universities, as well as their relationship with financial reporting quality and federal grant outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Using a combination of publicly available and manually collected data, this paper uses a two-stage model to examine both the factors associated with the use of IAFs within US institutions of higher education and the consequences therein. Findings Results indicate that institutions with larger enrollments and endowments, those that receive public funding and those that have an audit committee are more likely to maintain an IAF. Findings also suggest that the presence of an IAF is negatively associated with reported material weaknesses for major programs at significant levels. Finally, the presence of an IAF is found to have a positive and significant association with federal grants received by the institution, with an even stronger association for IAFs that perform grant-specific procedures. Originality/value The study’s findings provide the first large-sample quantitative insights on IAF work within US colleges and universities. Results should be of interest to college/university leadership as they attempt to improve financial reporting quality and grant outcomes, as well as external stakeholders looking to evaluate whether institutions are acting as good stewards over resources. Additionally, the Institute of Internal Auditors may find the results helpful when promoting the profession.

The effect of accounting methods on financial reporting quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1401-1411
Author(s):  
Andrain Hadiyanto ◽  
Evita Puspitasari ◽  
Erlane K. Ghani
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Historical Cost ◽  
Fair Value Measurement ◽  
Value Measurement

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between accounting measurement method of biological asset and financial reporting quality. Specifically, this study examines whether using fair value method or the historical cost method on biological asset provides different financial reporting quality. Design/methodology/approach This study uses data from 38 agricultural companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. The annual reports of 38 companies from the Palm Oil Growers over a five-year period starting from 2011 to 2014 are analysed. Findings This study shows that companies using historical cost measurement produce less reliable and less relevant information compared to the companies that are using fair value measurement. Research limitations/implications The results in this study imply that the use of fair value measurement improves the quality of financial information. Practical implications This study supports IASB’s justification of developing IAS 41 as the principle-based standard that better represents the financial information related to biological asset and subsequently lead to good accountability and harmonisation practices. Originality/value This study provides evidence on the best measurement to be used in agriculture activities using a larger sample size of few countries. In addition, this study contributes to the existing literature on the effect of accounting methods on financial reporting quality.

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