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.

Assurance for Change Management With COBIT 2019 and CMMC Maturity Frameworks

As technology plays an ever-increasing role in carrying out structured tasks in today's society, people are given more time to focus their attention on higher levels of service and personal development. However, technology is in a constant state of change and assurance services are needed to help ensure that technology changes are accomplished properly. The Institute of Internal Auditors has identified 10 steps that can be used to effectively implement changes in technology. This process and its accompanying internal controls can be assessed through an internal audit function that considers issues of both functionality and security. In addition, continuous improvement of the change management process for technology can be evaluated though capability/maturity models to see if organizations are achieving higher levels of accomplishment over time. Such models include the COBIT 2019-supported capability maturity model integration (CMMI) model and the cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC) framework used by defense industrial base organizations.

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.

The Role of Senior Management in Public Shareholding Companies in the Telecommunications Sector in the United Arab Emirates in Supporting the Internal Audit Unit

Internal audit has become one of the most important means of organizations controlling tasks and achieving objectives. As the internal audit is an important activity for the organization to achieve its goals, adhere to regulations and legislation, and reduce cases of fraud, financial and administrative corruption. Therefore, the research aims mainly to identify the role of senior management in public shareholding companies in the telecommunications sector in the United Arab Emirates in supporting the internal audit unit. The study population consisted of 3 public shareholding companies in the UAE. To achieve the objectives of the research, the research relied on the analytical research method and the comparative research method, and the analysis of secondary data obtained from performance governance reports, and the most important findings of the research: There is administrative support for internal audit units by the boards of directors of public shareholding companies in the telecommunications sector in the United Arab Emirates And administrative support includes the five forms: planning, organizing, directing, leadership, motivating and controlling, and there is appropriate independence for the internal audit units, and the boards of directors take and implement the observations of the internal audit units.

FINANCIAL REPORTING QUALITY: HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE ROLE OF INTERNAL AUDIT

The purpose of the study is to investigate the role of the internal audit function (IAF) in improving the quality of financial reporting. This is because the effectiveness of the FAIs role is often questioned considering its status as an employee who must serve two masters namely the board of directors and the audit committee as representatives of the board of commissioners. On the other hand, financial statements represent reports on the performance and quality of the companys management. The research method uses quantitative methods with multiple linear regression analysis. The research data is based on a questionnaire survey with purposively selected respondents from accounting, finance, auditing, and audit committee practitioners. The research findings indicate that the competence and objectivity of the IAF have a positive effect on the quality of financial reporting. Thus, to enhance the quality of financial reporting, internal auditors must be able to improve their competence and objectivity. Meanwhile, the most important quality of financial statements is the fundamental qualitative characteristics of faithful or honest representation by management. The results of this study answer doubt about the unique role of the IAF as a servant of the two masters, and implicitly the partnership with the audit committee enhances the check and balance function through the role of the IAF. The limitation of the study is that the low determinant coefficient which indicates that there are many other factors that affect the quality of financial reporting. For further research, it is recommended to add other factors and increase the number of sample respondents.

Factors influencing stakeholder’s judgment on internal audit function’s effectiveness and reliance

Purpose This study aims to explore the effectiveness and reliability of the performance of internal auditor by the stakeholders for their decision making. The absence of rules and regulations generates the debate that the non-standard reporting of the assessment of the internal controls system’s assessment by internal auditor and reliance by the external auditor. Design/methodology/approach The study used the mixed-method (triangulation) for the analysis quantitative data was used for regression with Smart PLS 3.2.8, and the qualitative data was used to prove and strengthen the results. The data is collected for five IVs (Objectivity of IAF, Work Performance, Competence, Internal Control System’s Assessment and Sourcing of IAF) and their impact on two DVs (Effectiveness and Reliance). This study used five areas as the target audience (Internal Auditor, External Auditor, Professional bodies, Shareholders, SECP and SBP). A total of 150 respondents were approached and received a valid response of 98 respondents. Findings The study explores the positive relationship between Objectivity of IAF, Work Performance, Competence, Sourcing of IAF on Effectiveness and Reliance. Internal Control System’s Assessment having significant relation with Effectiveness and non-significant with reliance because the absence of rules makes it unreliable for stakeholders. Originality/value The study found that the system for reporting the internal control needs rules and regulations advancement on the immediate basis for the betterment and safeguard of stakeholders to avoid the events like WorldCom and ENRON.

Barriers and Enablers for Continuous Improvement Methodologies within the Irish Pharmaceutical Industry

This study aims to investigate the barriers that exist when implementing continuous improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma (LSS), within the Irish Pharma industry. The main finding of this study is that 45% of participants perceived that a highly regulated environment could be a barrier to continuous improvement implementation, while 97% of respondents utilised Continuous improvement (CI) methods, such as Lean, Six Sigma, and LSS, within their organisations. While the International Conference of Harmonisation integrates CI into its Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (PQS) regulations, the highest motivation for CI implementation amongst the Irish Pharma industry is to improve Productivity and Quality. The main obstacles highlighted for CI implementation in Pharma attributed to stringent regulatory regimes were fear of extra validation activity, a compliance versus quality culture, and a regulatory culture of being “safe”. Another relevant finding presented in this paper is that participants CI LSS tools are very strongly integrated into the pharma industries corrective and preventative action system, deviations, and internal audit systems. Limitations of the research are that all the data collected in the survey came from professionals working for multinational Pharmaceutical companies based in Ireland. The authors understand that this is the first research focused on the barriers and status of CI initiatives in the pharmaceutical industry. The results of this study represent an important step towards understanding the enablers and obstacles for the use of continuous improvement methodologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing industries on a global scale.

Measuring Quality Determinants of Financial Statements

The research aims to study the impact of the role of internal audit, the application of regional accounting systems, and human resource competencies on the quality of financial statements. A sample of 141 employees according to the purposive sampling method and by distributing questionnaires. It turned out that the questionnaire returned was only from 138 employees. Data analyzed through moderate regression analysis (MRA) from the SPSS program. The results of the study stated that the role of internal audit has a negative impact on the quality of financial statements, the application of regional accounting systems and human resource competencies have a positive impact on the quality of financial statements