The impact of internal audit function characteristics on internal control quality
ISSN: 0268-6902
Article publication date: 1 May 2018
Issue publication date: 18 June 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the association between internal audit function (IAF) characteristics and internal control quality.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data gathered from 59 chief audit executives from Tunisian listed companies, this paper uses a regression model to examine research hypothesis related to the association between IAF characteristics and internal control quality.
Findings
The findings of the current study reveal that internal control quality is significantly and positively associated with IAF competence, internal audit quality control assurance level, follow-up process and audit committee’s involvement in reviewing the internal audit program and results.
Practical implications
The findings have significant implications for IAF wishing to enhance their effectiveness, by recognizing the impact of the IAF’s characteristics on internal control quality. The findings of this study also have significant implications for regulatory bodies who are concerned with the internal control quality, managers and audit committees who determine IAF investment, oversight IAF activities and assess internal auditors’ performance.
Originality/value
This study helps fill a gap in the extant literature where existing empirical evidence of how the IAF characteristics influences the quality of the financial reporting process in emerging markets is scant.
Keywords
Citation
Oussii, A.A. and Boulila Taktak, N. (2018), "The impact of internal audit function characteristics on internal control quality", Managerial Auditing Journal, Vol. 33 No. 5, pp. 450-469. https://doi.org/10.1108/MAJ-06-2017-1579
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited