The Development of Internal Auditing as a Profession in the U.S. During the Twentieth Century

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Parker ◽  
Lynn A. Johnson

ABSTRACT This paper traces the development of internal auditing from the standpoint of its professional identity. The question of how internal auditors have historically seen themselves bears on how they function as integral parts of internal control systems, and may help researchers formulate future empirical studies of internal auditing. Over the years, the self-perception of the internal audit profession's function has varied greatly. Internal auditing has lived, to some extent, in the shadow of the public accounting profession, while struggling to achieve public recognition, status in the business world, and a defined role separate from that of an internal monitor, subsidiary to the external auditor. While there have been many changes in terms of the formation of a professional community, belief in the importance of the work, and the growth of a system of self-regulation, the demands of various constituents and the desires of internal auditors for professional status have led to a persistent struggle to define the appropriate functions and organizational placement of internal audit. This struggle continues up to the present time. Several things stand in the way of a complete professional identity for internal auditing. Internal auditing cannot lay claim to a clearly defined role that is uniquely its own. The internal audit function (IAF) does not own a skill set or knowledge base that is not shared by the external auditors. The impact on the ability to distinguish the internal auditor from the external consultant is detrimental to the profession. Neither has the internal auditor been able to attain complete autonomy. While the IAF now reports to the Board of Directors or its audit committee more frequently than in the past, its continuing strong connection with management hinders its ability to be truly self-determining. On the other hand, the contributions that internal auditors make to their organizations are very real, and the lack of an externally mandated role allows them to be utility players. For management, the availability of a utility player who can provide internal consulting or assistance that saves overall compliance costs is valuable, as is the ability for boards to rely on an IAF with a deep knowledge of the organization.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Burt ◽  
Theresa Libby

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether increasing the salience of the internal auditor’s professional identity, defined by the expectations of their professional group, increases internal auditors’ judgments of the severity of internal control concerns when their organizational identity is high. Design/methodology/approach This paper tests the hypothesis using a laboratory experiment with internal auditors as participants. Findings The results support the hypothesis that professional identity salience moderates the relation between organizational identity and the assessed severity of identified internal control weaknesses. Increasing the salience of professional identity results in a more severe assessment of identified internal control weaknesses when organizational identity is high than when it is low. Originality/value Prior research in the lab and in the field provides mixed results about the impact of organizational identity on internal auditors’ judgments of the severity of identified internal control concerns. This paper contributes to the discussion on this issue. In addition, the results have implications for the debate about the benefits and costs of in-house versus out-sourced internal audit functions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.38) ◽  
pp. 1338
Author(s):  
Sunita Lylia Hamdan ◽  
Nahariah Jaffar ◽  
Ruzanna Ab Razak

This study aims to examine the effect of interaction between internal auditor and audit committee on fraud detection in Malaysia.  Specific interaction is firstly; audit committee approving the appointment of chief audit executive, the evaluation of chief audit executive, the dismissal of chief audit executive, the internal audit budget and the internal audit plan or program.  Secondly, audit committee’s involvement in reviewing internal auditor’s work specifically; providing input for the internal audit plan, reviewing the results of internal auditing related to financial reporting, reviewing the results of internal auditing related to internal control, reviewing the results of internal auditing related to compliance with laws and regulation, reviewing the internal audit involvement in management responses to internal audit suggestions, reviewing the difficulties or scope restrictions encountered by internal auditors and reviewing the coordination between internal auditors and external auditors.  Survey questionnaires were mailed to internal auditors attached to 782 companies listed on Bursa Malaysia’s main market. The results of this study suggest that involvement of audit committee in approving chief audit executives’ matters is insignificant on internal auditors’ contribution to fraud detection.  However, audit committee’s involvement in reviewing internal auditors’ work significantly influence the internal auditors’ contribution in fraud detection.       


Author(s):  
Abu baker Ahmed Yousif Mohammed Ali, Shihabeldeen Mohamed Ah

The study tackled the impact of internal auditing in supporting the competitive advantage in Sudanese industrial establishments. A field study on Dal Industrial Company. The research problem was how to activate، the impact of internal auditing in supporting the competitiveness of industrial establishments in Sudan. The research hypotheses were as follows: Initial Hypothesis: There is a statistically significant impact of internal auditing in supporting the competitive advantage. The second hypothesis: Emphasis services in the governance for internal audit in supporting the competitive advantage of industrial facilities. There is a statistically significant effect on the relationship between advisory services as internal auditing in supporting the competitive advantage of industrial establishments. The methodology of the study used descriptive and analysis approach. The researcher used the questionnaire to collect field data. The results were including the recent trends of the impact of internal audit to advise the internal auditor in support the competitive advantage of Company. Recent trends in internal auditing have ensured that information is accurate that helps management make the right decisions and support the competitive advantage. The recommendations، the need for internal audit management to advise and advise the internal auditor. Auditors who have sufficient knowledge of the standards of professional performance. The need to continue to train internal auditors through seminars and attend conferences to keep up with the latest developments of internal audit.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 813-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla Burnaby ◽  
Susan Hass

PurposeThe 2006 global Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK) study is part of an ongoing research program designed to document how internal auditing is practiced. The purpose of this paper is to summarize responses to three global surveys of internal auditors.Design/methodology/approachBased on literature reviews and a pre‐scope questionnaire, the researchers develop three questionnaires that are answered by internal auditors world wide. Topics in the questionnaires, which are translated from English into 16 languages, include the attributes of an effective internal audit activity (IAA); compliance with The Institute of Internal Auditor (IIA) Standards; internal auditor skills, competencies, and knowledge; internal audit tools and techniques; and emerging roles of the IAA.FindingsThe profession of internal auditing is a rich resource for organizations as the IAA monitors the adequacy and effectiveness of management's internal control framework and contributes to the integrity of corporate governance; risk assessment; and financial, operating, and IT systems.Practical implicationsThe participation of IIA members from 91 countries and 9,366 usable responses provides information about the evolving role of internal auditing as a value‐added activity that helps an organization manage its risks and take advantage of opportunities. The CBOK 2006 database can be used to improve the understanding of the current state of internal auditing practices; anticipate the use of new skills, tools, and technologies; and promote the enhancement of standardization and performance of internal auditing world wide.Originality/valueThis paper summarizes information in the most comprehensive database ever to capture a current view of the global state of the internal audit profession.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Afsar Ali Alimoradi ◽  
Chya Kareem Ahmad

The research aims to measure and evaluate the impact of internal audit on the efficiency of risk management under the principles of the bank governance in a sample of banks. Thus, internal audit is an important function of controlling financial and administrative performance. It has the impact of evaluating and measuring the efficiency of the use of available resources and strengthening the so-called governance as well as contributing to the assessment and management of risks, which enhances the opportunities of economic units and banks in the optimal use of resources.Internal Audit assists senior management and the board in the process of  theidentifying, assessing and responding to risks, by providing various assurance and advisory services during the implementation of the risk management process. In order to achieve the objectives of the study and test its hypotheses, the study was based on primary and secondary data and the questionnaire was designed and the researchers used the Statistical Program (SPSS) to analyze the data. It was concluded during the research that there is a clear impact of the internal audit profession on the risk management by improving its effectiveness and efficiency under the principles of bank governance shows through the internal audit has a prominent position in banks and because it is linked to the highest levels of management as an independent control and advisory tool. The researchers present a set  of recommendations, the most important of which is the need to provide adequate financial and human resources for internal auditing in banks. The study also recommended to strengthen the components of the independence of the internal auditor in order to be able to perform his duties to the fullest. Key words :  Internal Audit , Risk Management , Banking Governance, Internal Auditor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-136
Author(s):  
Miloš Jokić

The top management's decision-making in an agricultural enterprise should be based on valid information gathered within the enterprise itself. Collecting timely business information is done daily by all sectors of the enterprise. Merely improving the security of information gathering and the safety of all parts of the enterprise is a task performed by trained internal control and internal audit personnel in the company, appointed by top management. In performing their duties on a regular basis, internal auditors should apply procedures and methodologies that are consistent with International Standards on the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing in their work. The aim of the paper is to emphasize the importance of implementing the adopted methodology of work of internal auditors in agricultural companies. The author points out those standards that are in line with best audit practice should be applied in internal audit work. The contribution of the study authors is to emphasize the importance of applying the internal audit profession in the regular operation of agricultural enterprises, which is in line with the general objective of improving the regular business operation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Malaescu ◽  
Steve G. Sutton

ABSTRACT As a response to the increased demand for timely and ongoing assurance over the effectiveness of risk management and control systems, companies are moving toward a more automated control environment through the implementation of continuous audit modules. The purpose of this study is to evaluate external auditors' reliance on internal audit's work when advanced audit techniques are introduced by the internal auditor and the impact this reliance has on budgeted audit hours. Prior literature suggests that internal control deficiencies also have an impact on external auditor reliance and the audit budget. The reliance decision of an external auditor has important economic consequences and implications for efficiency and effectiveness of the overall audit. In recent years, the PCAOB has encouraged greater such reliance to improve audit efficiency. An experiment is conducted with 87 experienced external auditors to investigate the theorized effects. Using a 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial design, the frequency of the internal audit (traditional versus continuous audit) and prior year material weakness (absent versus present) are manipulated. Consistent with predictions, we find that auditors are willing to rely more on internal audit work in a continuous audit environment than in a traditional environment, and this effect is magnified when the prior year audit report on the effectiveness of internal controls indicates that controls are working properly. The presence of a material weakness, however, negatively impacts judgments on the budget for the valuation of a complex account. In addition, both material weakness and continuous audit have an impact on the overall audit budget, which is reduced only when the company has no prior year material weakness and a functioning continuous audit module is put in place. The results show that auditors increase budgeted hours for the engagement at a higher rate when the client uses traditional internal audit procedures.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhaib Tawfiq Jarrar

This paper comes to examine the impact of corporate governance in Palestine on the efficiency of internal audit from the reality of the listed corporations in the Palestine Exchange; [PEX]. The population of this paper consists of all the 25 listed Palestinian companies in the Palestine Exchange that have internal auditor. It also includes another 5 companies that rely on the internal audit by external companies. Hence, the number of the reviewed companies by this study is 30 companies (Palestine Exchange Market). Thereupon, 30 questionaires were distributed and retrived. However, this manuscript states a summary of the most important results. These results are explained as is shown in the following: (1) the findings of the study state that there is an effect of applying the variables of corporate governance altogether on the quality of the internal audit of the listed public companies in the Palestine Exchange. These rules are (disclosure and transparency, accountability, responsibility, justice, and independency). (2) The results of the study indicate that there is a significant effect of applying the corporate governance variables individually on the quality of the internal audit of the listed public companies in the Palestine Exchange. Thus, the effect of these variables appears contrasted respectively as the following: disclosure and transparency, justice and accountability, independency and responsibility. (3) The corporate governance represents combining the right practices and procedures which operate within the standards and rules that governed by the obligatory standards. These standards aim at ensuring that there aren’t any contradictions between the strategic goals of the company and the fuctional procedures of the administration in achieving these goals. (4) The internal audit adds value to the company through the functions that enhance its performance within corporate governance. This includes providing information to all levels of the management, evaluating the system of the internal control and the risk management, in addition to sticking the company with the principles of corporate governance. The findings of the study come up with the following recommendations: (1) the study assures the importance of applying the corporate governance principles because of their clear effect on the internal audit quality. It also recommends working efficiently on the professional development of the auditors and improving their performance through training programs, as well, encouraging them to keep up with the latest developments in the field of the auditing and other related fields. (2) It strongly recommends working on enhancing and activating the role of the board of directors and the audit committee; as well as granting them the independency. Hence, they will be able to carry out the tasks assigned to them. Consequently, they will avoid the effects that the company may be exposed to as a result of the internal weakness of the practical aspects of the principles of corporate governance; in addition to the negative impacts of this issue on the quality of the internal audit.


Author(s):  
Wenquan Shi

AbstractE-commerce has broken through the pattern and boundary of traditional commodity exchange, so that there is no need for face-to-face transactions between merchants and consumers. This has impacted the traditional accounting industry, which broke the environmental setting of traditional accounting industry. This requires the extension and expansion of the economic environment of the new accounting industry, which has led to the computerization of accounting and the network of further upgrades. Accounting computerization and networking have greatly improved the speed and accuracy of accounting information processing, and at the same time made the classification of accounting duties more clear. However, accounting computerization and higher-level networking have in turn affected the development of e-commerce. Due to the rapid development of e-commerce, the corresponding internal auditing schemes of traditional enterprises have been unable to meet accounting and computerization. The impact of this will constrain the further development of e-commerce. Accounting computerization and networking the internal audit of e-commerce is mainly reflected in clues, internal control, and content and environment issues. This paper analyses the impact of accounting computerization and networking on the internal auditing of e-commerce, and finally analyse the auditing setup and experience based on a company H in the accounting information system, and explore the accounting calculation. In the context of globalization and networking, the strategy of how to deal with the trial and control part of e-commerce.


Author(s):  
О. М. Долінська

The article deals with the need to document of an assurance engagement of internal auditors of the bank and the organization of this process by the internal audit department. The purpose of the research is to analyze the latest requirements for documenting the results of the internal audit work in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. The object of research – the documents of an assurance engagement of internal auditors. The methods used of the research: analysis and synthesis, induction, methods of scientific knowledge. The hypothesis of research: a professional judgment is formed on documented provides receiving audit evidence for individuals who use an assessment of the activities of the internal audit department for specific purposes. The statement of basic material: the results of the analysis identify the documents used by the internal auditor to substantiate the findings of the audit findings. On the basis of the organization of the documentation process, the documents that selected to the implementation of an assurance engagement of internal auditors at each stage of the internal audit are selected and grouped. The originality and practical significance of the research is to develop of documents that will improve the organization and execution of an assurance engagement of internal auditors and will provide an evidence base for the results in the audit report. Conclusions of the research. Established that the implementation of documentation provides receiving audit evidence for the development of recommendations for decrease of risk and risk management, improving the system of internal control of banking activities and promoting the improvement of governance.


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