Information Asymmetries and Intra-Company Monitoring: an Empirical Analysis of Nonlinear Relationships Between Company Characteristics and the Size of the Internal Audit Function

The internal audit function (IAF) has become one of the main pillars of good corporate governance. Empirical findings show that the size of the IAF varies considerably across companies. This study analyzes the relationships between selected company characteristics as determinants of intra-company information asymmetries and the size of the IAF as an indicator of intra-company monitoring. We test these relationships by analyzing comprehensive survey data obtained from chief audit executives from 283 Austrian, German, and Swiss companies. Using a nonparametric regression approach, we identify significant nonlinear relationships between company characteristics and IAF size. The empirical analysis identifies threshold levels for several metric company characteristics, such as the number of employees and the number of subsidiaries, whose relationships with the size of the IAF change its intensity.

Effectiveness of internal audit in local governments: The moderating role of internal and external auditors’ relations

Research on the internal audit function is relevant for improving the quality of governance in organizations. The internal auditor is an important element of government management in the context of realizing good governance by providing quality and effective audit results. The aim of this study is to examine the factors influencing (determinants) the effectiveness of the internal audit function in Indonesian local government organizations. The research samples were 137 respondents. This study used primary data in the form of a questionnaire. The hypothesis testing technique used Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis. The results of statistical tests showed that independence, competence, and management support could increase the effectiveness of the internal audit function. However, this cooperative relationship does not moderate the influence of competence and management support on the effectiveness of internal audit. The practical implication of this study is that in order to increase the effectiveness of internal audit, internal auditors must uphold an attitude of independence, objectivity and freedom from conflicts of interest in carrying out their professional responsibilities. The practical value of this study also shows that to increase the effectiveness of public sector internal audit, internal and external auditors must increase cooperation to improve the effectiveness of internal audit, especially in discussion activities between internal and external auditors, communication between internal and external auditors, and activities to share working papers between internal and external auditors.

Does the expertise of outsourced IAF providers affect audit efficiency? Empirical evidence from an emerging market

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect on audit efficiency of outsourced internal audit function (IAF) providers with industry and/or firm-specific expertise. Drawing on relevant studies from external and internal audit literature, the authors assume that such IAF providers are associated with greater audit efficiency as proxied by audit report lag and audit fees. Design/methodology/approach Based on a sample of firms listed on the Omani capital market during 2005–2019, the pooled regressions are used to test the developed hypotheses. The authors use the market share approach to identify outsourced IAF industry expertise providers and tenure to measure the firm-specific expertise of outsourced IAF providers. Findings The authors find that industry outsourced IAF providers are not associated with shorter audit report lag and lower audit fees. The authors also find that firm-specific expertise outsourced IAF providers are associated with a greater reduction in audit report lag and audit fees. These conclusions are robust under a battery of analyses. The significant contribution of firm-specific expertise outsourced IAF providers to audit efficiency is incremental when abnormal audit report lag and audit fees analysis is conducted. Originality/value The results are the first to attest to the contribution of outsourced IAF with firm-specific expertise. They also show that industry expertise held by outsourced IAF providers does not contribute to audit efficiency.

Factors associated with the adoption of data analytics by internal audit function

Purpose The benefits of data analytics in the internal audit function (IAF) are clear; less is known about IAF adoption of analytics. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors driving IAF adoption of analytics. Design/methodology/approach The Common Body of Knowledge of Internal Auditing Database (IIA, 2015) provides auditor responses on key variables of analysis. Findings The results of this study indicate the most critical adoption factor is data-specific IT knowledge in the IAF. Critical thinking skills and business knowledge of chief audit executive (CAEs) also contribute to adoption. IAFs with fraud risk detection responsibly are more likely to adopt. IAFs in technologically advanced cultures are more likely to adopt analytics. Originality/value The results of this study document the critical factors driving adoption of audit analytics, benefitting both industry and research.

The Role of Internal Audit Function on Performance of Public Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania: A Case of the Institute of Accountancy Arusha

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.

Fraud Reporting within an Organization and the Use of the Internal Audit Function as a Training Ground for Management

This study examines the effects of using the internal audit function as a management training ground (MTG) and fraud magnitude on internal fraud reporting decisions. Two experiments examine (1) internal auditors’ reporting behaviors, and (2) other employees’ willingness to report directly to internal audit. In the first experiment, experienced internal auditors indicate that the use of internal audit as a MTG may negatively impact fraud reporting likelihood by internal auditors to the Chief Audit Executive (CAE). Further, using the internal audit function as a MTG inhibits the sense of urgency internal auditors feel to report large fraudulent acts. The second experiment compares management accountants’ preferences for reporting to an anonymous third-party hotline versus reporting directly to internal audit. The results indicate a preference for the hotline that increases with a MTG. This preference is fully mediated by the perceived trustworthiness of internal audit, which is negatively impacted by a MTG.

Fundamental approaches to the preparation of a risk-based internal audit work plan

The article discusses the fundamental approaches to planning the work of internal audit based on a risk-based approach, taking into account the requirements of international auditing standards, the updated concept of three lines of defense, recommendations for the organization of risk management and internal control. The problems of the article are relevant in the conditions of rapid changes in the business environment, the emergence of new risks, the increasing complexity of business processes of organizations and the regulatory framework, the development of corporate governance practices, leading to the need for rapid adaptation of the internal audit function to the changes taking place. The material of the article is presented taking into account the current regulatory framework, international standards of auditing, International foundations of professional practice of internal audit.

Audit committee effectiveness, internal audit function and sustainability reporting practices

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the association between audit committee effectiveness (ACE), internal audit function (IAF) and sustainability reporting practices.Design/methodology/approachUsing a cross-sectional and correlational design, useable questionnaires were received from 48 financial services firms in Uganda. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Findingsresults indicate that ACE and IAF are positively and significantly associated with sustainability reporting practices. ACE and IAF are more significantly associated with economic and social indicators than environmental sustainability indicators.Research limitations/implicationsIn terms of practice, it is no longer a matter of having internal auditors and audit committees in place but rather those who are mindful of the welfare of society and the natural environment. The effectiveness of the board audit committee and a functioning internal audit can be assessed in terms of their recommendations and decisions regarding improvements in the welfare of society and the natural environment in addition to the traditionally known performance benchmarks.Practical implicationsThe study focuses on only financial services firms in Uganda, and this is a small sample. Future studies may focus on larger samples to enable comparison of the results.Originality/valueThis study provides insights on the initial understanding of the association between ACE, IAF and sustainability reporting practices using evidence from a developing African country – Uganda.

Statistical Techniques for Planning Internal Audit Engagements and Analytical Procedures Selection

The planning an audit engagement is the most important component that determines the effectiveness of internal audit services, both from the standpoint of improving the efficiency of the company and users of the results of the internal audit work. The use of statistical tools during the planning phase of the audit engagement can be considered as a component of a risk-based approach to internal audit. This research applies such statistical instruments as the normal distribution, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and regression analysis. The methodological support improvement of the internal audit process is one of the ways to perfect a guarantees quality and advice provided by the internal audit unit, as well as to minimize labor costs at the stage of planning an audit and determining the scope of the audit. There had being used such general methods of scientific knowledge as observation and comparison of data, analysis and synthesis, scientific abstraction during the research course. The proposed risk-based methodology for defining the scope and objectives of internal audit engagements using statistical tools was developed in conformity with the International Framework for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (Supplementary Guide “Planning an Audit Engagement: Defining Objectives and Scope”). The scope of analytical procedures formed in the process of planning the audit engagement allowed to cover the areas of the process that are most at risk of deviations. The practical significance of the study is considered by the possibility of applying the proposed methodology to define the audit assignment scope and its purpose, select the most effective analytical procedures, and minimize the labor costs of the working group. The developed methodology can be used for the work process organization in internal audit departments of business entities; some of its provisions can be applied in order to conduct a self-assessment of the effectiveness of the internal audit function. The use of statistical data analysis tools and publicly available information processing tools can improve the effectiveness of the internal audit function by the way of focusing on the most risky areas of the audited process. The developed methodological support is based on a risk-oriented approach.