scholarly journals Investigation Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Internal Auditors in the Company: Case Study Iran

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabandeh Salehi

<p>There are relatively fewer number of studies focused on internal audit effectiveness, than the number of studies on the effectiveness of external audit. Our focus in this paper is mainly on determinants of internal audit effectiveness. For this purpose we developed and tested five hypotheses using an investigation approach. We gathered our data using a questionnaire, filled out by 355 internal audit manager and 272 other internal audit staff.</p><p>Our multivariate regression model estimates the relationships between the effectiveness of internal audit department and its five main determinants: competency of internal audit staff, size of internal audit department, communications between internal auditors and external auditors, management’s support for internal audit department, and independent (outsourced) internal audit.</p><p>Our results show that internal audit effectiveness has stronger relationships with management’s support for hiring and experienced educated staff, providing the internal audit department with sufficient resources, and the size of internal audit department.</p>

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
hendra poltak

The internal audit ineffectiveness is marked by the weakness of financial accountability. This research aimed to examine and provide determinants of the internal audit effectiveness at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). The research sample consisted of 31 inter-nal auditors and 31 KKP employees. This research belongs to the explanatory research. The re- search questionnaire data to test hypotheses were analyzed with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis tool. The results showed that the coordination and cooperation of internal auditors with external auditors had a positive effect on the effectiveness of internal audits. In addition, man-agement support was able to moderate the coordination and cooperation of internal auditors with external auditors on the effectiveness of internal audits. This finding can open the horizons of interested parties, especially KKP leaders to consider policies that can improve the effectiveness of internal audits to improve organizational objectives and performance.


Author(s):  
Etim, E. Osim ◽  
Comfort Precious Goddymkpa ◽  
Nsima Johnson Umoffong

The aim of this study is to identify the most potent factors driving audit failures by theoreticallyexploring two most publicized corporate and external audit failures cases in Nigeria and globally (EnronAndersen and Cadbury Akintola Williams Deloitte). An exploratory case study approach was adopted to analyze the selected two cases and several other external audit failures in extent literature. Findings reveal that audit failure factors are the same in the cases analyzed and compared and include poor audit approach, negligence and incompetency from the auditors, lack of professional questioning attitude, connivance with clients, fee dependence on major clients, long tenured appointment, external auditors acting as internal auditors to client and rendition of Management Advisory Services (MAS), blatant disregard to accounting standards on auditing, among others. Based on these findings, the following recommendations were made: more stringent sanctions be molted to defaulters, regular review and update of accounting and auditing standards to take care contemporary developments, prohibition of external auditors from rendering multiple MAS, adherence to ethical principles, strengthening of corporate governance structure as well as improved oversight functions by regulatory authorities on the activities of corporate management and auditors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4-1) ◽  
pp. 165-180
Author(s):  
Moon Kyung Cho

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 629-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ho-Young Lee ◽  
Hyun-Young Park

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.


Author(s):  
Ana Silva ◽  
Helena Inácio ◽  
Elisabete Vieira

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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 2131-2154 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. Messier ◽  
J. Kenneth Reynolds ◽  
Chad A. Simon ◽  
David A. Wood

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-70
Author(s):  
Dawit Tadesse Tiruneh

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamza Mohammad Alqudah ◽  
Noor Afza Amran ◽  
Haslinda Hassan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating effect of task complexity on external auditors’ cooperation (EAC), top management empowerment and internal auditors’ independence, which affect internal auditors’ effectiveness in the Jordanian public sector. Design/methodology/approach This paper utilised 117 usable questionnaires from financial managers and internal audit (IA) managers of the Jordanian public sector institutions. The collected data were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results reveal that EAC, top management empowerment, and internal auditors’ independence are the factors which positively and significantly affect the internal auditors’ effectiveness, as supported by the resource-based theory, with incomplete support for the task complexity’s role as a moderator. Practical implications The findings are important for the decision-makers and regulators in introducing new legislation and regulation for the IA profession in the Jordanian public sector. Social implications It is shown that the factors affecting the internal auditors’ effectiveness can definitely enhance their ability to achieve the role of IA in protecting public funds and limiting financial and administrative corrupt practices, particularly in the public sector. Originality/value To the best knowledge of the authors, this study is one of the first studies that addresses task complexity as an interaction effect on the factors affecting internal auditors’ effectiveness in the public sector.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1073-1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arno Nuijten ◽  
Mark Keil ◽  
Gerrit Sarens ◽  
Mark van Twist

Purpose Information system projects often go awry and when they do internal auditors are often in a position to bring the problems to management’s attention. However, managers are not always receptive to risk warnings, even when internal auditors who are role prescribed to carry out this function deliver such warnings. This phenomenon is known as the deaf effect. This paper aims to examine the actions that internal auditors take to resolve the deaf effect and how these actions affect the auditor–manager relationship. Design/methodology/approach Based on a multiple case study approach, the authors conducted in-depth interviews with auditors and examined ten cases of the deaf effect from the auditor’s perspective. Findings The findings revealed three categories of actions that auditors took in response to the deaf effect and how these actions immediately affected the auditor–manager relationship. Further, by analyzing the subsequent sequence of actions taken by the auditor in each case, the authors identified three distinct patterns that capture the dynamics of the auditor–manager relationship over time until the deaf effect was, ultimately, resolved. Originality/value Several practitioner studies have shown that internal auditors and managers struggle to build effective relationships, even under the most favorable circumstances and the authors suggest that deaf effect situations are likely to pose an even greater challenge to the auditor–manager relationship. The study contributes to the discourse on internal audit effectiveness in several ways. First, the authors identified three categories of actions that internal auditors took in response to the deaf effect. The authors found that two of these categories of action are related to the two distinct roles that internal auditors can play (inspector or consultant). Second, the authors examined how these categories of actions played out over time, influencing the auditor–manager relationship dynamics.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Huajing Chen ◽  
Hyeesoo H. (Sally) Chung ◽  
Gary F. Peters ◽  
Jinyoung P. (Jeannie) Wynn

SUMMARY This paper considers the potential impact of internal audit incentive-based compensation (IBC) linked to company performance on the external auditor's assessment of internal audit objectivity. We posit that external auditors will view IBC as a potential threat to internal audit objectivity, thus reducing the extent of reliance on the work of internal auditors and increasing the assessment of control risk. The increase in risk and external auditor effort should result in higher audit fees. We hypothesize that the form of incentive-based compensation, namely stock-based versus cash bonuses, moderates the association between IBC and external audit fee. Finally, we consider whether underlying financial reporting risk mitigates the external auditor's potential sensitivity to IBC. We find a positive association between external audit fees and internal audit compensation based upon company performance. The association is acute to IBC paid in stock or stock options as opposed to cash bonuses. We also find evidence consistent with the IBC associations being mitigated by the company's financial reporting risks. Data Availability: Individual survey responses are confidential. All other data are derived from publicly available sources.


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