scholarly journals The Risk-based Role of Internal Audit within Albania, Public Organizations

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Holtjana Bello ◽  
Vjollca Karapici

The aspiration of Albania for European integration has added mandatory requirements for public sector to modernize the internal audit function in adherence with International Internal Auditing Standards. According to such Standards supported by Picket (2005) and CIPFA (2003) the internal audit is an assurance function that provides independent opinion on the effectiveness of internal controls that support the achievement of the organizations objectives. Internal auditors can provide consultancy service, in particular to aid management to improve the organization control environment. Meanwhile, Diamond (2002) explains that the internal audit role, remit, scope and activities are driven by the macroeconomic objectives and political stabilization. For those countries with governance problems the first objective is to ensure compliance with financial laws and regulations. Therefore, the most suitable approach for the internal audit is the compliance auditing to attain macroeconomic stabilization objectives. Therefore, the main question around which this paper is based is whether the public sector in Albania is ready to adopt the modern model of internal audit moving beyond the traditional compliance and financial remit to comply with recognized International Internal Audit Standards. This paper finds that although changes in Albanian normative framework since 2007, internal audit within government organizations are still adopting traditional approach of internal audit involving financial inspections rather than performance auditing activities aiming to provide opinion on risk management, control and governance. This paper analyzes that the embryonic risk culture of Albanian public sector, the lack of skilled internal audit resources and a little understanding of both managers and internal auditors with regard to the contribution of internal audit in risk management and corporate governance system aimed at achieving the government organizations objectives are the main reasons why the risk based model and consultancy role of internal auditors is not yet applied. Therefore, this paper recommends the internal auditors to perform additional consultancy tasks to enhance the internal control system and build the risk management methodologies and structures due to the management lack of knowledge. As soon as the organizations become risk mature the internal auditors can provide assurance appraisal service based on risks. The Practice Advisory Standard 1000 recommends principles which should be used as guidance for regulatory framework of internal audit function within Albania, public sector, guiding internal auditors in order for them to maintain their independence, objectivity and due professional care while conducting consulting service.

Author(s):  
Safa Chemingui

The purpose of this chapter is to study the role of the internal audit function in detecting and preventing fraud. First, this chapter will determine the notion and types of fraud on the one hand and the fraud triangle that companies face and that internal auditors try to detect and address on the other hand. Second, a description of the notion of internal audit will be provided, along with the specificities of this function at the heart of companies. The procedure of internal control and the fundamental principles leading to its effectiveness will be identified. In this regard, the authors analysed the profile of internal auditor. Therefore, an internal audit function with competent staff would generate a good system of internal control and is able to maintain the internal audit's ability to detect fraud. Finally, the role of the internal auditor in preventing fraud is analysed with reference to three dimensions: The first dimension is preemptive. The second dimension is social and ethical. The third dimension is the practical dimension.


Author(s):  
Upendo Titus Mpocholwa ◽  
Valensi Kagoro

This study investigated on role of internal audit function on performance of public higher learning institutions in Tanzania using the descriptive correlational design. From 306 staff members, 103 were selected through the simple random sampling and 83 filled and returned the questionnaires. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The organization was found to be doing well in risk management and control mechanism aspects as part of the internal auditing function. There are adequate human and material resources for internal audit function. The internal audit staffs are qualified and the management supports the internal audit initiatives with ICT facilities and adequate budget. While risk management, control mechanism and availability of resources significantly predicted the organizational performance, governance process did not. Availability of resources for internal auditing was the best predictor for the organizational performance. It is therefore recommended that the organization should maintain the existing risk management strategies and regular presentation of risk management reports as such aspects contribute to the organizational performance. Since risk management, control mechanism and availability of resources are significant predictors for the organizational performance, there is need to keep improving the control mechanism and provide required resources for effective internal audit function.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron J. Pike ◽  
Lawrence Chui ◽  
Kasey A. Martin ◽  
Renee M. Olvera

SUMMARY To reduce redundancies and increase efficiency in the evaluation of internal controls (PCAOB 2007, 402–403), professional standards encourage coordination between external auditors and their clients' internal audit function (IAF). Recent surveys of internal auditors find that a component of this coordination is external auditors' involvement in developing the IAF's audit plans. Nevertheless, it is not known how such involvement affects external auditors' reliance on the internal control test work of the IAF, either before or after a negative audit discovery. Based on an experiment with 107 experienced auditors, we find that external auditors involved in the development of the IAF's audit plan perceive the IAF as more objective and that both objectivity and involvement contribute to these auditors' placing more reliance on the IAF as compared to external auditors with no involvement. This initial reliance results in the involved auditors' proposing reductions to the audit budget and re-performing less of the IAF's work. Consistent with an anchoring bias, we find that involvement leads to external auditors' continuing to place greater reliance on the IAF's work, even after they become aware of a negative audit discovery that should not have occurred had the client's controls been effective. Data Availability: Data are available from the authors on request.


Author(s):  
Lamis Jameel Banasser, Maha Faisal Alsayegh

The study aimed to identify the role of accounting mechanisms for corporate governance in reducing creative accounting practices in telecommunications sector companies in Riyadh city. A descriptive analytical approach was followed to conduct the field study. Sample of the study consisted of members of the audit committee, internal auditors, accountants from the surveyed telecommunications’ sector companies, and the external auditors in the audit offices that specialized on auditing the examined sample of companies. Questionnaire was used as a data collection method. Results showed that activating the role of accounting mechanisms for corporate governance can greatly contribute in limiting creative accounting practices. As they are controlling mechanisms that capable of protecting companies, shareholders and stakeholders from any manipulation or misleading information in the financial statements. Further, internal audit plays a major role in limiting creative accounting practices by examining and evaluating the effectiveness of the internal control system. Furthermore, the independence and competence of the external auditor and his commitment to the rules of conduct and ethics of the profession contribute greatly in limiting creative accounting practices in the examined companies. The study recommended the necessity of holding specialized training courses for members of audit committees, internal auditors and external auditors on methods of detecting creative accounting practices to combat and reduce them.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Shariful Islam ◽  
Nusrat Farah ◽  
Thomas F. Stafford

Purpose The purpose of the study is to explore the factors associated with the extent of security/cybersecurity audit by the internal audit function (IAF) of the firm. Specifically, the authors focused on whether IAF/CAE (certified audit executive [CAE]) characteristics, board involvement related to governance, role of the audit committee (or equivalent) and the chief risk officer (CRO) and IAF tasked with enterprise risk management (ERM) are associated with the extent to which the firm engages in security/cybersecurity audit. Design/methodology/approach For analysis, the paper uses responses of 970 CAEs as compiled in the Common Body of Knowledge database (CBOK, 2015) developed by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (IIARF). Findings The results of the study suggest that the extent of security/cybersecurity audit by IAF is significantly and positively associated with IAF competence related to governance, risk and control. Board support regarding governance is also significant and positive. However, the Audit Committee (AC) or equivalent and the CRO role are not significant across the regions studied. Comprehensive risk assessment done by IAF and IAF quality have a significant and positive effect on security/cybersecurity audit. Unexpectedly, CAEs with security certification and IAFs tasked with ERM do not have a significant effect on security/cybersecurity audit; however, other certifications such as CISA or CPA have a marginal or mixed effect on the extent of security/cybersecurity audit. Originality/value This study is the first to describe IAF involvement in security/cybersecurity audit. It provides insights into the specific IAF/CAE characteristics and corporate governance characteristics that can lead IAF to contribute significantly to security/cybersecurity audit. The findings add to the results of prior studies on the IAF involvement in different IT-related aspects such as IT audit and XBRL implementation and on the role of the board and the audit committee (or its equivalent) in ERM and the detection and correction of security breaches.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Narayanaswamy ◽  
K. Raghunandan ◽  
Dasaratha V. Rama

Internal auditing is an important element in the corporate governance framework. Yet, research related to internal auditing, particularly in emerging economies like India and China, is sparse. We use data from responses provided by chief audit executives to provide empirical evidence about the extent of support for internal auditing and the determinants of such support in India and China, and compare the data with those from the United States. We find that such support is negatively related to pressure on internal auditors to suppress or alter their findings. We also provide descriptive evidence about the work and staffing of the internal audit function. We discuss the role of internal auditing in India and identify some possible avenues for future research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Faten Hanna Kerazan

This study aimed to identify the contribution of internal audit in risk management in Syrian public and private banks, the questionnaire was used in collecting the initial data, which was distributed to a sample of board of directors and executives in these banks.The study found that there is a contribution to the internal audit function in risk management in all Syrian public and private banks and there are no statistically significant differences on this contribution.The study recommended of the need to conduct training courses for workers in the internal audit function and issue instructions and necessary legislations to regulate the activity of internal audit in banks, a committee of internal audit must be formed within the Association of Chartered Accountants in Syria, where its mission is to the development of internal auditors and the need for cooperation of professional organizations of accounting, auditing and regulatory bodies in Syria to establish an association for internal auditors to qualify them and give them a professional certification to carry out their roles under the new framework for exercising of the profession that guarantees to provide the necessary advice and guidance for them to bring the profession up to the required level.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Radhi Abdul Halim Rachmat ◽  
Ivan Gumilar Sambas Putra ◽  
Ii Halilah

Sales activity plays an important role and needs to be controlled because it affects to the revenue. Sales control requires sales analysis that reveal undesirable developments need to be corrected. Internal Auditors who are not directly involved in operational activities can, therefore, assess all activities. Internal Auditors also provides objective information regarding sales data that will be the basis for management decision making. The purpose of this study is to: determine whether the internal audit on sales activities conducted by the company has been done adequately; determine whether the internal control over sales has been implemented effectively; and determine the role of internal audit in supporting the effectiveness of internal control sales. The authors perform hypothesis testing by doing descriptive analysis and statistical analysis. Based on the results, the effectiveness of internal control can be explained by the Internal Audit role of 63.2%.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Закирова ◽  
Alsu Zakirova ◽  
Клычова ◽  
Augul Klychova ◽  
Клычова ◽  
...  

Today the debatable problem is the effectiveness of internal control system. That internal audit, as a part of interfarm monitoring systems, has a wide range of functions, that go beyond the range of issues, relating to internal control. In Russia, there are no laws and regulations, governing the internal audit organization. The absence of a rigid framework is a prerequisite for creating the most effective internal audit service. The establishment an internal audit function is also becoming increasingly necessary because of competition and integration of foreign and domestic companies. This article provides an irreplaceable role of internal audit in terms of its objectives and functions.


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