Chief Audit Executives' Assessment of Internal Auditors' Performance Attributes by Professional Rank and Cultural Cluster

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad J. Abdolmohammadi
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Cultural Relativism ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
East European ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Leadership Attributes ◽  
Professional Rank

ABSTRACT This study explores chief audit executives' perceptions of the most important performance attributes of internal auditors by professional rank and cultural cluster. A large sample of chief audit executives (CAEs) from 19 countries located in five different cultural clusters was surveyed by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation (CBOK 2006). Analysis of data generated by that survey indicates that while leadership attributes (e.g., negotiating) are perceived to be most important for upper ranks in internal auditing, technical skills (e.g., analytical) are most important for lower ranks. Also, based on the cultural relativism literature, I hypothesize and find evidence that the importance of performance attributes differs significantly by cultural cluster. For example, while Latin-American CAEs rated leadership attributes at higher levels than other cultural clusters for internal audit staff, the East-European chief audit executives assessed the importance of technical skills at higher levels than other clusters. The results of the survey provide important initial empirical support to the list of “ideal” and “desirable” performance attributes for internal auditors recently developed by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA 2009). Data Availability: The source of data used in this study is CBOK (2006) from the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation.

Does Incentive-Based Compensation for Chief Internal Auditors Impact Objectivity? An External Audit Risk Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Huajing Chen ◽  
Hyeesoo H. (Sally) Chung ◽  
Gary F. Peters ◽  
Jinyoung P. (Jeannie) Wynn
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Survey Responses

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.

External Auditors' Involvement in the Internal Audit Function's Work Plan and Subsequent Reliance Before and After a Negative Audit Discovery

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron J. Pike ◽  
Lawrence Chui ◽  
Kasey A. Martin ◽  
Renee M. Olvera
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Professional Standards ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Anchoring Bias ◽  
Before And After

SUMMARY To reduce redundancies and increase efficiency in the evaluation of internal controls (PCAOB 2007, 402–403), professional standards encourage coordination between external auditors and their clients' internal audit function (IAF). Recent surveys of internal auditors find that a component of this coordination is external auditors' involvement in developing the IAF's audit plans. Nevertheless, it is not known how such involvement affects external auditors' reliance on the internal control test work of the IAF, either before or after a negative audit discovery. Based on an experiment with 107 experienced auditors, we find that external auditors involved in the development of the IAF's audit plan perceive the IAF as more objective and that both objectivity and involvement contribute to these auditors' placing more reliance on the IAF as compared to external auditors with no involvement. This initial reliance results in the involved auditors' proposing reductions to the audit budget and re-performing less of the IAF's work. Consistent with an anchoring bias, we find that involvement leads to external auditors' continuing to place greater reliance on the IAF's work, even after they become aware of a negative audit discovery that should not have occurred had the client's controls been effective. Data Availability: Data are available from the authors on request.

The Effects of Using the Internal Audit Function as a Management Training Ground or as a Consulting Services Provider in Enhancing the Recruitment of Internal Auditors

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Greg Burton ◽  
Matthew W. Starliper ◽  
Scott L. Summers ◽  
David A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Internal Audit ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Job Applicants ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Internal Auditing ◽  
Business Professionals ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Consulting Services

SYNOPSIS This paper examines factors that influence job applicants' willingness to apply for positions in internal auditing. We predict and find evidence that job applicants are dissuaded from applying for internal audit positions. In two separate experiments involving participants at seven universities, we discover that this phenomenon is most prevalent for applicants with business experience. Experienced applicants are 20 and 33 percent less willing to apply for a position if it is labeled as “internal audit” versus “accounting” in the two experiments, respectively. In addition, we find that the only experimental condition that increases interest in applying for an internal audit position for experienced applicants occurs when the position advertises the combination of (1) a short stint in internal auditing and then a move from internal audit into a management position, and (2) work primarily related to consulting services rather than assurance services. As a potential explanation for these findings, we find evidence that participants believe other business professionals have negative stereotypes of internal auditing—which likely dissuade potential job applicants from applying to work in internal audit. The results should prove informative to practitioners, internal audit professional organizations, and business professionals concerned with high-quality corporate governance. Data Availability: Contact the authors.

Reconciling Archival and Experimental Research: Does Internal Audit Contribution Affect the External Audit Fee?

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas F. Prawitt ◽  
Nathan Y. Sharp ◽  
David A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Archival Studies ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Internal Auditor ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Auditing Standards

ABSTRACT Consistent with guidelines from external auditing standards, experimental and survey research suggests that an internal audit function (IAF) can contribute in ways that lead to decreased external audit fees; however, research using archival methodologies generally finds either no relation or a positive relation between proxies for IAF contribution and external audit fees. In this paper, we provide new evidence using a unique and previously unavailable data set to develop archival proxies of internal audit contribution. We find that archival proxies for the contribution of internal audit based on Statement of Audited Standards (SAS) No. 65 are associated with lower unexpected external audit fees. We show that proxies used in prior archival studies are limited in their ability to capture the IAF's potential contribution to external auditing, and suggest that the lack of high-quality proxies could help explain the divergent findings of experimental and survey-based studies in relation to archival studies in this area. In addition, our results suggest that fee reductions are associated with the direct assistance of, but not with reliance on, work previously performed by the internal auditor. Overall, our results provide evidence consistent with external auditing standards and with results from prior experimental and survey studies suggesting that IAFs can indeed contribute in ways that lead to lower external audit fees. Data Availability: Contact the authors. Data provided by the Institute of Internal Auditors are subject to restrictions.

Correlates of Co-Sourcing/Outsourcing of Internal Audit Activities

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdolmohammadi
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Control Variables ◽  
Multinational Organizations ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Committee Involvement

SUMMARY: I use responses from 1,059 chief audit executives (CAEs) of organizations located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the U.K./Ireland, and the U.S. to investigate several correlates of co-sourcing and/or outsourcing (hereafter, simply “outsourcing”) of internal audit activities. An important finding of the study is that audit committee involvement is positively and significantly associated with outsourcing of internal audit activities. Interactions of audit committee involvement with organization size and location generally indicate that medium and large international/multinational organizations with audit committee involvement outsource more than medium and large local/national organizations with no audit committee involvement. Analysis of control variables produces significance for an inverse relationship between outsourcing and value-added activities of the internal audit function, and for positive relationships between outsourcing and missing skill set and audit staff vacancies. Other control variables, such as CAE age, college degree (graduate/undergraduate), major (accounting versus others), internal audit certification, and regular meetings with the audit committee do not show significant associations with outsourcing. Also, country of residence (U.S. versus other Anglo-culture countries) is not significant, but for-profit organizations outsource significantly more of their internal audit activities than not-for-profit/governmental organizations. Data Availability: Please contact the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation, which owns the CBOK (2010) database used in this study.

Audit Committee Composition, “Gray Directors,” and Interaction with Internal Auditing

2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Raghunandan ◽  
Dasaratha V. Rama ◽  
William J. Read
Keyword(s):  
Audit Committee ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
Internal Auditing ◽  
Public Companies ◽  
Internal Auditor ◽  
Blue Ribbon ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Governance Process

The functioning of corporate audit committees was criticized in recent years by the Treadway Commission, the Public Oversight Board, the Kirk Panel, and the SEC Chairman. In response, the NYSE and NASD sponsored the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) on Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees. The BRC Report includes recommendations aimed at strengthening director independence and qualifications, and highlights the role of internal auditors in assisting audit committees in the corporate governance process. Moreover, the first three recommendations of the BRC relate to audit committee composition: absence of inside or “gray” directors, and presence of a member with financial expertise. This study examines the association between audit committee composition and the committee's interaction with internal auditing. Our results, based on responses from chief internal auditors of 114 public companies, indicate that committees comprised solely of independent directors and with at least one member having an accounting or finance background are more likely to (1) have longer meetings with the chief internal auditor; (2) provide private access to the chief internal auditor; and (3) review internal audit proposals and results of internal auditing. These findings provide empirical support for the BRC's recommendations related to audit committee composition.

The Effect of Using the Internal Audit Function as a Management Training Ground on the External Auditor's Reliance Decision

2011 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 2131-2154 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. Messier ◽  
J. Kenneth Reynolds ◽  
Chad A. Simon ◽  
David A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Internal Audit ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
External Audit ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Management Positions ◽  
The Many

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.

The Value to Management of Using the Internal Audit Function as a Management Training Ground

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph V. Carcello ◽  
Marc Eulerich ◽  
Adi Masli ◽  
David A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Survey Results

SYNOPSIS This study examines how using the internal audit function as a management training ground (MTG) impacts managers' reliance on internal auditor recommendations. While prior research suggests that using internal audits as a MTG can adversely affect financial reporting quality, external audit fees, and internal audit efficiency, many internal audit functions use this practice. We study how this practice influences another important stakeholder—senior management. Based on survey results of 355 chief audit executives (CAEs), we find that CAEs perceive senior management to be more likely to use recommendations from MTG internal auditors than non-MTG internal auditors. To bolster the validity of these findings and provide evidence as to why this is the case, we conduct two experiments with 147 executives (47 MTurk workers) with an average of about 25 (13) years of experience. The experimental results confirm the survey results. We also find that the key reason why managers rely more on MTG than non-MTG recommendations is that MTG internal auditors are perceived to have more natural ability, which is a key driver in managers' reliance decisions. Taken together, our research provides the first empirical evidence that there are positive consequences to using the internal audit function as a MTG in contrast to the negative consequences previously reported. Data Availability: Please contact the authors.

A Post-SOX Examination of Factors Associated with the Size of Internal Audit Functions

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urton L. Anderson ◽  
Margaret H. Christ ◽  
Karla M. Johnstone ◽  
Larry E. Rittenberg
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Prior Literature

SYNOPSIS This study develops and tests a conceptual model articulating factors associated with internal audit function size in the post-SOX era. These factors include audit committee characteristics, internal audit characteristics and mission, internal audit activities performed by others (including outsourced providers and other divisions within the organization), and organization characteristics. Results from a survey of 173 public and private companies reveal that internal audit function size is positively associated with: (1) better audit committee governance, (2) greater organizational experience of the chief audit executive, (3) missions involving IT auditing, (4) the use of sophisticated audit technologies, (5) the use of a staffing model in which internal audit is used for rotational leadership development, (6) organization size, and (7) the number of foreign subsidiaries that the organization possesses. Further, internal audit function size is inversely associated with: (1) the percentage of internal audit employees that are Certified Internal Auditors, and (2) the extent of assurance and compliance activities outsourced to outsiders. These results contribute to prior literature on internal audit function size by considering a variety of factors that are associated with internal audit function size in the contemporary era. Data Availability: Contact the authors.

scholarly journals Assessing the effectiveness of internal governance controls: The case of internal auditors skills and challenges in Libya

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Khalifa Elmghaamez ◽  
Collins G. Ntim
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
Public Speaking ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Internal Governance ◽  
Financial Report ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
It Audit

The main aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of internal governance controls and processes with specific focus on the skills and challenges facing internal auditors operating in Libya when they conduct internal audits. This study also investigates whether Libyan internal auditors have sufficient skills needed to implement their internal audit function effectively. Design/methodology/approach: Forty one internal auditors working in six banks and three insurance companies listed on the Libyan Stock Market were surveyed. Wilcoxon signed test and Z-test were used to test the research hypotheses. Findings: The findings of this study illustrate that internal auditors operating in companies listed on the Libyan Stock Market have limited professional, interpersonal and technical skills. Specifically, the findings show that internal auditors in Libya have limited skills including public speaking and presentation skills. Additionally, they have limited skills of IT audit and international financial report preparation skills. Originality/value: There is a dearth of empirical evidence on the extent of audit, interpersonal, professional and technical skills relating to internal auditors generally, but particularly acute in Arab and developing countries. This study, therefore, contributes to the literature by offering new insights with particular focus on Libya.

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