The Effects of Internal Audit Report Type and Reporting Relationship on Internal Auditors' Risk Judgments

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 695-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas M. Boyle ◽  
F. Todd DeZoort ◽  
Dana R. Hermanson
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Audit Report ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Risk Judgments ◽  
Audit Information ◽  
Control Risk

SYNOPSIS The governance literature (e.g., Archambeault, DeZoort, and Holt 2008) highlights the lack of internal audit information available to external stakeholders and discusses the need for a publicly available internal audit report (IAR) to describe the function and/or provide assurance. We study the effects of IAR type (i.e., descriptive IAR, assurance IAR) and internal audit reporting relationship (i.e., primarily to management or primarily to the audit committee) on internal auditors' judgments. Specifically, 108 experienced internal auditors provided fraud risk and control risk assessments in an experiment where IAR type and reporting relationship were manipulated randomly between subjects. Fraud risk assessments are higher (more conservative) when internal auditors provide assurance in an IAR or when they report primarily to the audit committee. A significant interaction indicates that internal auditors provide higher control risk assessments when they provide assurance in an IAR and report primarily to the audit committee. Providing descriptive information in an IAR to external stakeholders does not significantly affect internal auditors' fraud risk or control risk assessments. Supplemental results indicate moderate and varied support among internal auditors for the issuance of a descriptive IAR to external stakeholders, but significantly less support for the issuance of an assurance IAR. The results, in combination with Holt and DeZoort's (2009) evidence regarding the effect of descriptive IARs on investors' judgments, suggest the need for discussions of the value of IARs in practice.

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.

The Role of Accounting Mechanisms for Corporate Governance in Reducing Creative Accounting Practices in Telecommunications Sector Companies in Riyadh City: An Empirical Study: دور الآليات المحاسبية لحوكمة الشركات في الحد من ممارسات المحاسبة الإبداعية في شركات قطاع الاتصالات بمدينة الرياض: دراسة ميدانية

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamis Jameel Banasser, Maha Faisal Alsayegh
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Riyadh City ◽  
Creative Accounting ◽  
Telecommunications Sector

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.

scholarly journals A versenyképesség és a társaságok belső ellenőrzése (Competitiveness and corporate internal audit)

2012 ◽  
pp. 19-33
Author(s):  
Mária Bordáné Rabóczki
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Supervisory Board ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Mutual Dependency ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
External Auditor ◽  
The Impact

A cikk a belső ellenőrzésnek a hatékony társaságirányításhoz való hozzájárulását és ennek a versenyképességre gyakorolt hatását vizsgálja. A belső ellenőrzés és a társaságirányítás kölcsönös összefüggésben áll egymással. Nemcsak a belső ellenőrzés hat a társaságirányításra, hanem a releváns társaságirányítási struktúrák, emberi kapcsolatok és magatartásformák jelentős hatást gyakorolnak a belső ellenőrzés színvonalára és hatékonyságára. A cikk ezért különös figyelmet szentel a belső ellenőröknek az igazgatósággal, az auditbizottsággal/felügyelőbizottsággal, a menedzsmenttel és a könyvvizsgálóval való kapcsolatainak vizsgálatára. Rávilágít a belső ellenőrzés legfőbb funkciójára, amely objektív bizonyosságot nyújt az igazgatóság és a felső vezetők számára a kockázatok azonosítására, kezelésére és elfogadható szintre történő csökkentésére szolgáló kontrollfolyamatok megfelelőségéről és hatékonyságáról. A bemutatott belső ellenőrzési modell azt a szemléletet közvetíti, hogy a belső ellenőrzés által nyújtott objektív bizonyosság megszerzése nemcsak a jogszabályoknak vagy az ajánlásoknak való megfelelés, hanem a társaságok versenyképessége szempontjából is kiemelkedő jelentőségű. _________ The purpose of this paper is to consider the contribution of internal audit to the sound corporate governance and the impact of that on the competitiveness of the companies. There is a mutual dependency between internal audit and corporate governance. Not only the internal audit has impact on the corporate governance but the relevant governance structures, relationships and behaviour influence the level and effectiveness of the internal audit. Therefore the present paper is highly concerned with the internal auditors` relationships with the board, audit committee/supervisory board, senior management and the external auditor. It highlights the internal audit function, that provides objective assurance to the board and senior management about the adequacy and effectiveness of the processes by which risks are identified, managed, controlled and mitigated to acceptable levels. The internal audit model demonstrated represents an approach, according to that getting objective assurance provided by internal audit is important not only to be in line with laws and recommendations but to facilitate the corporate competitiveness.

Corporate governance and internal audit: an institutional theory perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Vadasi ◽  
Michalis Bekiaris ◽  
Andreas Andrikopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Audit Effectiveness

Purpose This paper aims to explore internal audit effectiveness through its contribution to corporate governance. Namely, the authors attempt to investigate the impact of internal audit professionalization on internal audit’s contribution to corporate governance. Design/methodology/approach Using a research framework informed by institutional theory, the authors predict that internal audit’s contribution to corporate governance is associated with factors related to internal audit professionalization. To investigate the arguments, the authors combine data from a survey of 49 listed companies in the Athens Stock Exchange with publicly available information from annual reports. Findings Empirical results indicate that internal audit professionalization affects internal audit effectiveness, as internal audit’s contribution to corporate governance is improved for organizations where internal audit function complies with internal auditing standards and internal auditors hold professional certifications. The findings also suggest that internal audit’s contribution to corporate governance is shaped by some company-specific characteristics, namely, CEO duality and audit committee quality. Practical implications The results have implications for internal auditors who wish to increase the efficiency of their work, corporate governance mechanisms such as the board of directors and the audit committee, which can use the findings of this study to better respond to their responsibilities concerning internal audit and regulators who can also benefit to strengthen areas with substantial impact on internal audit’s contribution to corporate governance. Originality/value This paper contributes to the academic discussion on the role of internal audit in corporate governance and complements the work of other researchers in the field of internal audit professionalization. This study tries to fill a gap in the literature on the effect of internal audit professionalization elements on internal audit’s contribution to corporate governance.

Factors associated with security/cybersecurity audit by internal audit function

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Shariful Islam ◽  
Nusrat Farah ◽  
Thomas F. Stafford
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Security Breaches ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Enterprise Risk

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.

Internal audit function, audit committee effectiveness and accountability in the Ugandan statutory corporations

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juma Bananuka ◽  
Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga ◽  
Irene Nalukenge ◽  
Twaha Kaawaase
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Correlational Data ◽  
Finance Officers

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of internal audit function and audit committee effectiveness on accountability in statutory corporations (SCs). Design/methodology/approach This study is cross sectional and correlational. Data have been collected through a questionnaire survey of 52 SCs in Uganda through their Chief Internal Auditors and Chief Finance Officers. Data have been analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Findings The internal audit function significantly contributes to accountability of SCs in Uganda and audit committee effectiveness is not where effective internal audit is present in such organisations. However, audit committee effectiveness significantly contributes to accountability when an internal audit function is not present. Research limitations/implications The use of hierarchical regression is prone to problems associated with sampling error. However, the likelihood of these problems is mitigated by the interface with data. Originality/value Whereas hitherto both internal audit function and audit committee effectiveness had been viewed as explanations of accountability, this study only confirms the internal audit function as a significant predictor of SCs’ accountability relative to audit committee effectiveness.

Internal Audit Quality: Insights from Audit Committee Members, Senior Management, and Internal Auditors

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Trotman ◽  
Keith R. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective ◽  
Output Dimension ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

SUMMARY We investigate the concept of internal audit function (IAF) quality from a multi-stakeholder perspective through conducting 36 interviews with key IAF stakeholder groups: audit committee members, senior management, internal audit executives, and outsourced internal audit partners from the major accounting firms. We adapt established quality frameworks that suggest quality is a five-dimensional construct (including input, process, output, outcome, and contextual dimensions) to the internal audit context. We find that the various stakeholder groups focus on different quality dimensions in their evaluation of IAF quality. For example, the groups focus on the process dimension (internal audit executives), output dimension (audit committee members and internal audit partners), or outcome dimension (senior management and internal audit partners). We also find that the five dimensions comprise multiple indicators of IAF quality. We conduct six supplementary interviews with external audit partners to compare their insights on IAF quality to the focal IAF stakeholder groups. External auditors evaluate quality via the output dimension after an ex ante assessment focusing on the input dimension. Finally, we contribute to the IAF quality literature by developing a multi-stakeholder IAF quality framework.

Internal Audit Structure and Fraud Risk Assessment From a Regulatory Perspective

2019 ◽  
pp. 302-332
Author(s):  
Lale Aslan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Critical Areas ◽  
Regulatory Perspective ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
Audit Standards

This chapter aims to depict the role of internal audit in Turkish capital markets by comparing the internal audit structure and its role in detecting fraud in financial institutions and developing a framework for assessing fraud risk in intermediary institutions. The newly constructed regulations concerning banks, intermediary institutions, and portfolio management companies are compared to a global benchmark by using a conceptual and descriptive approach. According to the results of this comparison, it is clear that Turkish legislation needs to be improved in critical areas. “Integrity” should be incorporated as a founding concept of the internal audit function. Certification of internal auditors needs to be encouraged, and internal audit standards need to be adapted. As a result, a fraud risk assessment template influenced by the new regulatory framework is developed for intermediary institutions.

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