AUDIT COMMITTEE’S ROLE IN ENHANCING ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE ALBANIAN, PUBLIC SECTOR

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Holtjana Bello
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
The Public

The main question around which this paper is based is whether the public sector in Albania needs to establish the Audit Committees as a demand for enhanced quality of services and accountability over the use of public funds is increasing. This paper analyzes the role of public sector Audit Committees in common law practices established to advise management on the adequacy of structures and processes that ensure the integrity of the accounting, auditing, risk management internal controls, and financial reporting. This paper founds out that Audit Committees are not best practices established in every country considering the fact that this practice is appropriate to the private sector corporate governance. However, it reveals that lack of such committees put into question the achievement of good governance objectives. Therefore, this document recommends the establishment of the Audit Committees across the public sector as a practice strongly recommended in the central government bodies within United Kingdom. Such Committees will advise the head of public organizations on risk exposure, corporate governance and control issues, and will enhance and improve the professionalism of internal auditors who still in Albania are adopting and relying on a traditional financial internal audit approach.

scholarly journals Corporate Governance and Performance of Audit Committee and Internal Audit Functions in an Emerging Economy’s Public Sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-98
Author(s):  
Shewangu Dzomira
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
The Public ◽  
Effective Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Management Audit

This article seeks to examine corporate governance and the performance of audit committee and internal audit functions in an emerging economy’s public sector. These two functions form a part of imperative corporate governance aspects, and their effective performance ensures better service delivery by public sector agencies. The study is premised on stakeholder theory, which has turned out to be the central point of public sector discourses. The study is based on qualitative content analysis, which aspires to present information about corporate governance and effectiveness of audit committees and internal audit units in South Africa’s public sector. The findings suggest that there is good corporate governance in terms of the existence of audit committees and internal audit functions in the public sector. However, the results suggest that the audit committees and internal audit units in South Africa’s public sector are not effective. Absence of advice, implementation of recommendations and inadequacy of resources have undermined the performance of audit committees and internal audit units in South Africa’s public sector. The leadership and other assurance bringers ought to consider the findings elevated by the audit committees and internal audit and execute their commendation. Their findings should be urbanised into action plans that are implemented by management. Audit committees must improve their oversight on internal audit functions so that both units would effectively perform. The subsistence of successful audit committee and internal audit components in the public sector certifies proficient and effectual exploitation of resources for the gain of all stakeholders.

Comparing The Principalship of Madrasah and Sekolah in The Decentralization Era

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 24-35
Author(s):  
Saefudin A Safi'i
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
School Leadership ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
New Order ◽  
The Public ◽  
Centralized Management ◽  
Decentralization Policy

The downfall of the New Order Regime in 1998 brought about significant change to Indonesia’s public sector.  Law number 22 of 1999, further refined by Law 32 of 2004, provide legal bases for district governments to administer the public sector. The central government also introduces the notion of good governance through the promulgation of various regulations. For Madrasah however, decentralization policy failed to provide clear legal bases as to how it relates to district government. Law 32 of 2004 verse 10 article 3 retains the centralized management by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. This however does not exclude Madrasah from public demand of implementing the principle of good governance. This study analyses the dynamics of principal-ship both in the Sekolah and the Madrasah in the era of decentralization. By comparing two research sites, this study sought to create better understanding about the context by which the organization climate of two different schools are shaped, and how principals and teachers perceives the notion of school leadership in the light of most recent policy development. To do this, interviews were undertaken and questionnaire-based data collection was also conducted. The study found that in the ground level implementation of decentralization policy, Sekolah developed more rigorous leadership compared to that in the Madrasah. This research recommends the adoption of stronger regulation regarding principal-ship of Madrasahs in order to create an environment that is more in tune with the spirit of public service reforms.

New perspective on the black box of internal auditing and organisational change

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 804-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aviv Kidron ◽  
Yuval Ofek ◽  
Herztel Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Internal Auditing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Innovative Model ◽  
Audit Information

Purpose The shift from the traditional audit towards performance audit implies that internal auditors in the public sector function as change agents who underpin the fundamental change process. This paper aims to propose a model that identifies the determinants of organisational change in the public sector that result from internal auditing and the way internal auditors facilitate it. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual discussion of this paper is based on a review of relevant literature, both practical and academic. Findings This paper develops an innovative model that describes the factors leading to auditees’ change readiness after undergoing internal audit processes. The independent variable is audit information quality and the dependent variable, organisational change. Auditees’ perceptions is the mediator variable, and accessibility to audit information is the moderator variable. Practical implications The proposed model suggests the advantages that can be gained by audit-related services, which in turn will add value to the organisation. The relationships between the variables inform practitioners on how to support effective audits as a means of increasing performance and influencing organisational change. Originality/value As the paper offers an innovative model, it may open up new research areas in internal auditing that can be studied by using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Contemporary issues in financial reporting, auditing and corporate governance

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Afza Amran
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Corporate Managers ◽  
Auditor Choice ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Expectation Gap ◽  
Corporate Social

Contemporary Issues in Financial Reporting, Auditing and Corporate Governance offers theoretical and empirical background on three fundamental areas of accounting, namely financial reporting, auditing and corporate governance.This book is written in a clear and reader-friendly manner to create readers interest in the central issues of discussion. The uniqueness of this book is in its extensive coverage of national and internationally-oriented issues of financial reporting, auditing and corporate governance. This book is ideal for accounting and business related courses at upper undergraduate and post-graduate levels. With its broad coverage, the book should also be of interest to academicians, professionals, corporate managers, regulatory bodies and researchers.The articles written in this book are: Corporate Social Responsibility and Post-Crisis StrategyEmployee Stock Options Popularity of Financial Ratios in the Annual ReportsThe Relationship between Pension Funds and Dividend PayoutDoes Audit Firm Merger Add Value to Its Clients? Co-operation between Internal and External Auditors: From the Perspective of Internal Auditors in Malaysian Local Authorities Auditor Choice: Events and TheoriesThe Global Audit Expectation Gap: Within and between Muslim CountriesOwnership Holdings: Selected Malaysian Family Businesses Ethnic Diversity in Malaysian Initial Public OfferingsCEO Succession in Malaysian PLCs: Does Firm Characteristic Make a Difference?A Framework of Good Governance: Lessons for the Inland Revenue Board Malaysia.

Financial Misappropriation in the Nigerian Public Sector: A Determination of the Role of the Internal Auditor

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-17
Author(s):  
J. K. Oyadonghan ◽  
S. Ogoun
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
The State ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Economic Management ◽  
Internal Auditor ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
The Public

The continued search for a solution to the problem of poor economic management due to financial misappropriation in the public sector, and the public’s outcry against internal auditors because of their perceived connivance necessitated the current study. Furthermore, the position canvassed by internal auditors with respect to their scope of responsibility further justified the need for this research effort. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to determine, whether or not, the internal auditor has a role to play in ensuring the proper utilization of the nation’s economic resources, bearing in mind the rules specifying the scope of the internal audit function in the public sector. Drawing from the research model of survey design, both a structured questionnaire and oral interview data collection platforms were deployed to collect primary data from audit, and another staff of selected ministries in the State and the least-square regression analysis was adopted in testing the hypotheses. From the analysis, and from personal interview, the researchers were able to find out that internal audit has a responsibility to detect and prevent financial misappropriation in the public sector. It was also found out that the internal auditors in the State Civil Service are not independent, which affects their freedom to report such acts of financial misappropriation to the legislative arm for proper action. Therefore, it is recommended that The State legislative arm should ensure that the independence of the internal auditor is guaranteed by a statute.

Fraudulent Financial Reporting: Consideration of Industry Traits and Corporate Governance Mechanisms

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Beasley ◽  
Joseph V. Carcello ◽  
Dana R. Hermanson ◽  
Paul D. Lapides
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
Financial Statement Fraud ◽  
Governance Mechanisms

This paper provides insight into financial statement fraud instances investigated during the late 1980s through the 1990s within three volatile industries—technology, health care, and financial services—and highlights important corporate governance differences between fraud companies and no-fraud benchmarks on an industry-by-industry basis. The fraud techniques used vary substantially across industries, with revenue frauds most common in technology companies and asset frauds and misappropriations most common in financial-services firms. For each of these three industries, the sample fraud companies have very weak governance mechanisms relative to no-fraud industry benchmarks. Consistent with prior research, the fraud companies in the technology and financial-services industries have fewer audit committees, while fraud companies in all three industries have less independent audit committees and less independent boards. In addition, this study provides initial evidence that the fraud companies in the technology and health-care industries have fewer audit committee meetings, and fraud companies in all three industries have less internal audit support. This study of more current financial statement fraud instances contributes by updating our understanding of fraud techniques and risk factors in three key industries. Auditors should consider the industry context as they evaluate the risk of financial fraud, and they should compare clients' governance mechanisms to relevant no-fraud industry benchmarks.

scholarly journals Financial Reporting Quality and Online Disclosure Practices in Spanish Governmental Agencies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2437
Author(s):  
Javier Garcia-Lacalle ◽  
Lourdes Torres
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Governing Body

Good governance in the public sector implies high accountability levels. Accountability is a multidimensional concept that includes the quantity and reliability of disclosures as well as rendering accounts to the citizenry. Nowadays, good governance, accountability, and financial performance are key for the long-term sustainability of autonomous public sector organizations. The objective of this paper is to study how key governance features relate to the quantity and quality of the information disclosed. In particular, how the governing body, financial performance and organizational features relate to online transparency and financial reporting quality, as well as how these two accountability dimensions are related. To fulfill this objective, we have used the Structural Equation Modeling, Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) approach. The focus of our analyses is on Spanish central government agencies. The size of, and a greater presence of independent members in, the governing body are explanatory factors behind the quality of the financial reports. Our findings also show that the quality of the financial information is also affected by the pressure that Eurostat requirements -deficit limits- puts on public sector entities, which leads to the use of smoothing practices. Online disclosure practices are not explained by the features of the governing body, but by the size of the agencies and their financial results. The better the financial reporting quality, the higher the online disclosure levels.

scholarly journals TENDENCIJE U RAZVOJU EKSTERNE I INTERNE REVIZIJE U JAVNOM SEKTORU U ZEMLJAMA EU I BALKANA

2018 ◽  
pp. 057
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Bonić ◽  
Dejan Jakšić ◽  
Kristina Mijić
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Integral Approach ◽  
Public Funds ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Resource ◽  
Assurance Services

Although they have different and clearly defined roles, the general purpose of external and internal audit in the public sector is to contribute to good governance of public funds, that is, efficiency, effectiveness and economy of public administration. As part of the numerous reforms in the public sector of the EU countries, as well as the Balkan countries, which began at the beginning of the 21st century, the external audit of the public sector (state audit) is developing an integral approach in its scope of work, which means providing attestations to the Parliament and the citizens of the state that the public funds are used effectively, efficiently and economically, and that the financial statements and operations of the public sector entities are in line with professional and legal regulations (emphasis is on the performance audit). The internal audit of public funds users, in addition to providing assurance services, is increasingly focused on advisory services with the aim of providing management with support in improving public resource and risk management, the efficiency of spending public funds and the provision of quality public services.

scholarly journals The Influence of Internal Controls on Public Financial Reporting Quality (PFRQ) in Sri Lanka; an Empirical Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 06 (07) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuruddha, M.S. ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Control Environment ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

Public financial reporting is accountable to maintain public trust by protecting the accountability, openness, and transparency of public money which leads to the good governance of the country. There were many criticisms over financial reporting quality by various stakeholders of entities across the countries. There is a growing concern over the quality of PFR which determines the level of performing expectations of financial reporting. Assurance of PFR in Sri Lanka has deteriorated and been questioned by legislative authorities and interested parties because of the quality concerns. Considering the scholarly studies in various countries, the study was carried out in Sri Lanka to investigate the influence of Internal Controls (ICs) over the Public Financial Reporting Quality (PFRQ) with an objective to measure and conclude the determinants. To conclude the impact, the study investigates the influence of five basic dimensions of ICs introduced in previous literature, namely: Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Control Activities, Information & Communication, and Monitoring. Considering the facts of the context of Sri Lanka, the research has investigated the influence of IC on public financial reporting quality in the central government ministries and departments environment in Sri Lanka. The primary data was collected by a questionnaire survey conducted with accountants who are being employed in the central government ministries and departments in Sri Lanka. Data have collected by a structured questionnaire and verified by Cronbach’s alpha test for reliability. A multiple linear regression model was developed and tested to determine the statistical influence of variables of IC over the dependent PFRQ. The findings investigate and conclude the positively significant influence of IC on the PFRQ in the central government ministries and departments in Sri Lanka. Further, it was admitted the significant direct influence of IC attributes of Control Environment, Information and Communication and Monitoring to determine the PFRQ. Based on the facts, the study recommends the public sector in Sri Lanka to ensure the effectiveness of ICs in government institutions to improve and maintain the trust level of PFRQ.

scholarly journals Examining CAATTs Implementation by Internal Auditors in the Public Sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-56
Author(s):  
Aidi Ahmi ◽  
Siti Zabedah Saidin ◽  
Akilah Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
State Level ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
The Government

Computer Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques (CAATTs) are not new for auditors, and it needs to be adopted to gain the audit efficiency and effectiveness especially in a current era of technology. This paper examined the implementation of CAATTs by internal auditors in the public sector. Accordingly, this research reports the results from 12 interviews made with internal audit departments in public sector in both federal and state level in Malaysia. This research found that the implementation of CAATTs by internal auditors in public sector is still low due to lack of expertise, high implementation and maintenance cost, limited access of auditee’s data, and most of them prefer to conduct the audit manually. Furthermore, it is not mandatory for them to use CAATTs. The evidence is a contrast with the encouragement made by the government to improve the IT usage in public sector. The results implied that training for future auditors in CAATTs to ensure the successful implementation is crucial. For CAATTs to be a success, the head of internal audit also must have the awareness about the importance of CAATTs as well as enforcement of its implementation.

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