scholarly journals Factors affecting the voluntary use of internal audit: evidence from the UK

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazem Ramadan Ismael ◽  
Clare Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Agency Theory ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Uk

Purpose This study aims to identify the factors that lead non-financial companies listed in the UK to use an internal audit function (IAF) as a monitoring mechanism. Although the use of an IAF in the UK is voluntary, no prior research has examined the drivers for using one. Design/methodology/approach Financial and non-financial data were collected from the annual reports of 332 UK non-financial companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Main Market. Univariate tests and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to test the research hypotheses. A theoretical framework based on both agency theory and transaction cost economics (TCE) theory was used to explain the economic factors affecting the use of an IAF. Findings The study provides evidence that firm size, level of internal risks, agency problem between owners and managers and existence of an effective audit committee are associated with the existence of an IAF. Thus, the need to have strong internal control and risk management systems and to reduce both internal and external agency costs drives companies to have an IAF. These results suggest the importance of IAF as an internal corporate governance tool and the effectiveness of UK governance regulations in monitoring the effectiveness of internal control systems. Practical implications Given the importance of the IAF’s corporate governance role, the study provides some policy implications. Regulators should pay more attention to the issue of maintaining an IAF, especially by large companies, the relationship between the IAF and other governance parties, especially the audit committee, and the disclosure of more relevant information about the IAF’s characteristics and practices. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the factors affecting the existence of the IAF within the UK’s distinctive regulatory approach of “comply or disclose reasons”. Furthermore, it provides a theoretical framework that explains how both the agency theory and TCE theory can interpret the adoption of internal audit.

Why did management and auditors fail to identify ineffective internal controls in their initial SOX 404 reviews?

2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam C. Chan ◽  
Picheng Lee ◽  
Gim S. Seow
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Client Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the rationale for the failure of management and auditors to identify material internal control weaknesses (ICWs) in their initial Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) 404 reviews, resulting in subsequent restatement of their opinions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on the factors associated with the failure of management and auditor to identify material internal controls weaknesses in their initial SOX 404 reports. Logistic regression is run on a sample of 56 firms that reported material internal controls weaknesses in their amended internal control reports and a control group of 344 firms that reported material internal controls weaknesses (i.e. ineffective internal controls) in their initial internal control reports for 2004.FindingsThe results show that firm size, the use of a Big 4 auditor, the ratio of non‐audit to total fees, and the need for accounting restatements are positively associated with the probability to file an amended internal control report. The number of ICWs and the number of audit committee meetings are negatively associated with the probability to file an amended internal control report.Practical implicationsThe paper's findings suggest that regulators and corporate boards should consider providing more guidelines on audit committee practices in addition to the audit committee structure. For example, more guidance by the board is needed to ensure that the audit committee is active in overseeing the company's auditor–client relationship and its internal audit function.Originality/valueEmpirical findings on factors associated with the failure of management and auditor to identify material ICWs in their SOX 404 review can contribute to an understanding of factors affecting the efficiency of the SOX 404 review by attributing such failure to either inherent factors such as operational complexity and industry membership or to managerial choices in auditor‐client relationship and corporate governance issues. An understanding of these factors can help companies and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission in their efforts to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of the current SOX 404 process.

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.

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.

Can internal audit functions improve firm operational efficiency? Evidence from China

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1167-1188
Author(s):  
Ying Chen ◽  
Bin Lin ◽  
Lizhen Lu ◽  
Gaoguang Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Alternative Measure ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of internal audit function (IAF) quality on the operational efficiency of Chinese firms. Design/methodology/approach The authors use regression models with a sample of Chinese listed companies to test their research hypotheses. Findings The authors find that IAF quality is positively associated with firm operational efficiency. The result is unchanged after correcting for endogeneity via the instrumental variable method and using an alternative measure of firm operational efficiency. The authors show that IAF competence improves firm operational efficiency, but the relationship between IAF independence and firm operational efficiency is insignificant. Additionally, they find that IAF quality can only significantly improve firm operational efficiency in the presence of effective corporate governance at the firm level and strong institutions at the province level. Using path analysis, the authors find that an IAF can improve firm operational efficiency directly or indirectly by promoting firm internal control quality. Practical implications The findings of this study suggest the need for a balance between IAF competence and independence to achieve the goals of IAF. Additionally, the authors study suggests that the effectiveness of IAF is contingent on corporate governance and market-based institutions. Originality/value The study’s findings contribute to the burgeoning literature on the relationship between IAF and firm operational performance and deepen the authors’ understanding of the role of IAF in an emerging economy whose government plays a major role in promoting and enforcing internal audits. The study also empirically support the Internal Audit Governance Maturity Model proposed by the Institute of Internal Auditors.

scholarly journals Corporate governance characteristics of firms reporting internal control deficiencies

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-390
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rupley
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
Market Reactions ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
Internal Control Deficiencies ◽  
Nominating Committees

From a sample of firms reporting internal control deficiencies (ICD), I compare corporate governance structures to industry, exchange, and size – matched firms. I examine market reactions to reports of ICDs in 8-K filings. Additionally, I examine shifts in corporate governance characteristics since the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). Results indicate that weaker boards, larger audit committees, less independent nominating committees, and high growth companies are associated with ICDs. Market reaction is negative to ICD disclosures when they are associated with controls over revenue. Firms have made changes post-SOX including reduced non-audit services, more frequent audit committee meetings, formation of nominating and governance committees, creation of internal audit functions, and implementation of corporate governance policies.

scholarly journals The concept and the appearance of internal audit committees

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2018) ◽  
pp. 111-114
Author(s):  
Cristian Dragan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
External Audit ◽  
General Management ◽  
Proper Functioning

The Audit Committee is a concept of Corporate Governance, whose main concerns are focused on organizing and ensuring the proper functioning of internal control, internal audit, and its relationship with external audit. Audit committees have emerged from the need to send recommendations to the general management or board, to understand them and provide needed assistance for their implementation. For these reasons, the boards of directors thoroughly oversee the qualifications of committee members, their autonomy towards managers, the information they receive from auditors, and what they report.

scholarly journals Audit committee diversity and corporate scandals: evidence from the UK

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig McLaughlin ◽  
Stephen Armstrong ◽  
Maha W. Moustafa ◽  
Ahmed A. Elamer
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Corporate Fraud ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Scandals ◽  
Corporate Scandal ◽  
Binary Regression Analysis ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Uk

Purpose This paper aims to empirically analyse specific characteristics of an audit committee that could be associated with the likelihood of corporate fraud/scandal/sanctions. Design/methodology/approach The sample includes all firms that were investigated by the Financial Reporting Council through the audit enforcement procedure from 2014 to 2019, and two matched no-scandal firms. It uses logistic binary regression analysis to examine the hypotheses. Findings Results based on the logit regression suggest that audit member tenure and audit committee meeting frequency both have positive associations to the likelihood of corporate scandal. Complementing this result, the authors find negative but insignificant relationships amongst audit committee female chair, audit committee female members percentage, audit committee qualified accountants members, audit committee attendance, number of shares held by audit committee members, audit committee remuneration, board tenure and the likelihood of corporate scandal across the sample. Research limitations/implications The results should help regulatory policymakers make decisions, which could be crucial to future corporate governance. Additionally, these results should be useful to investors who use corporate governance as criteria for investment decisions. Originality/value The authors extend, as well as contribute to the growing literature on the audit committee, and therefore, wider corporate governance literature and provide originality in that it is the first, to the knowledge, to consider two characteristics (i.e. remuneration and gender) in a UK context of corporate scandal. Also, the results imply that the structure and diversity of the audit committee affect corporate fraud/scandal/sanctions.

Earnings Management, Audit Committee effectiveness and The Role of Auditor Characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-9
Author(s):  
Rizky Eriandani ◽  
Melly Karina Kurniawan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Agency Theory ◽  
Capital Markets ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
Auditor Characteristics

This research aims to provide empirical evidence regarding the effect of auditor characteristics on the relationship between audit committee effectiveness and earnings management. Mechanisms of good corporate governance can limit and control the opportunistic actions of management. The higher level of effectiveness of the audit committee will reduce the tendency of companies to practice earnings management. In addition to the Audit Committee as an internal party that oversees the credibility of financial statements, it is also necessary to supervise external parties, namely external auditors. So that with an effective audit committee and the function of the external auditor it is expected to reduce earnings management. Agency theory is used as a theoretical framework to provide a robust theoretical framework for investigating manager behavior in various companies. In this perspective, agency theory provides a clear understanding of the effectiveness of audit committees and the characteristics of auditors, and recognizes this as the most crucial oversight mechanism that reduces agency costs, manages conflicts of interest, and mitigates earnings management. The contribution of this research to the existing literature both theoretically and empirically. Theoretically, it will add governance theory about the interaction between the audit committee and external auditors in ensuring the quality of financial reporting. Empirically, the results of research on corporate governance and reporting quality reveal that the majority of them have been conducted in countries with advanced capital markets. In contrast, studies conducted in countries with developing capital markets are still scarce. Keywords: Audit Committee, Earnings Management, Auditor, Audit Quality

scholarly journals The Effect of Corporate Governance in Palestine on the Efficiency of Internal Audit: Empirical Evidence

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhaib Tawfiq Jarrar
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Public Companies ◽  
Internal Auditor ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

This paper comes to examine the impact of corporate governance in Palestine on the efficiency of internal audit from the reality of the listed corporations in the Palestine Exchange; [PEX]. The population of this paper consists of all the 25 listed Palestinian companies in the Palestine Exchange that have internal auditor. It also includes another 5 companies that rely on the internal audit by external companies. Hence, the number of the reviewed companies by this study is 30 companies (Palestine Exchange Market). Thereupon, 30 questionaires were distributed and retrived. However, this manuscript states a summary of the most important results. These results are explained as is shown in the following: (1) the findings of the study state that there is an effect of applying the variables of corporate governance altogether on the quality of the internal audit of the listed public companies in the Palestine Exchange. These rules are (disclosure and transparency, accountability, responsibility, justice, and independency). (2) The results of the study indicate that there is a significant effect of applying the corporate governance variables individually on the quality of the internal audit of the listed public companies in the Palestine Exchange. Thus, the effect of these variables appears contrasted respectively as the following: disclosure and transparency, justice and accountability, independency and responsibility. (3) The corporate governance represents combining the right practices and procedures which operate within the standards and rules that governed by the obligatory standards. These standards aim at ensuring that there aren’t any contradictions between the strategic goals of the company and the fuctional procedures of the administration in achieving these goals. (4) The internal audit adds value to the company through the functions that enhance its performance within corporate governance. This includes providing information to all levels of the management, evaluating the system of the internal control and the risk management, in addition to sticking the company with the principles of corporate governance. The findings of the study come up with the following recommendations: (1) the study assures the importance of applying the corporate governance principles because of their clear effect on the internal audit quality. It also recommends working efficiently on the professional development of the auditors and improving their performance through training programs, as well, encouraging them to keep up with the latest developments in the field of the auditing and other related fields. (2) It strongly recommends working on enhancing and activating the role of the board of directors and the audit committee; as well as granting them the independency. Hence, they will be able to carry out the tasks assigned to them. Consequently, they will avoid the effects that the company may be exposed to as a result of the internal weakness of the practical aspects of the principles of corporate governance; in addition to the negative impacts of this issue on the quality of the internal audit.

Corporate governance and no fraud occurrence in organizations

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 501-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Law
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Chief Financial Officers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tone At The Top

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine empirically the organizational factors that are associated with the absence of fraud.Design/methodology/approachFactor analysis using principal component extraction was first employed. Logistic regression was then performed to analyze the survey responses of 253 chief financial officers (CFOs) in Hong Kong. A total of 20 semi‐structured interviews were also carried out with CFOs to supplement the research results.FindingsThe results indicate that audit committee effectiveness, internal audit effectiveness, the tone at the top managerial level, and ethical guidelines and policies are positively associated with a lack of fraud within organizations. Neither auditors' prior success in fraud detection nor the type of auditor employed is an influential factor in the absence of fraud. These results are interesting and counter those of earlier studies conducted in the USA. Also contradicting prior research, the receipt of unqualified audit reports was not found to be significant in this study.Practical implicationsThe lack of significance for certain variables, and the counterintuitive nature of some of the results offers opportunities for further research. The results provide auditors with practical insights that will prove useful in the course of their work.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study of its nature to be conducted in Hong Kong, and its results will make an important contribution to the corporate governance and auditing literature, particularly that focused on the Asia‐Pacific region. These results also have important implications for the accounting profession and for the corporate governance process within organizations.

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