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Contemporary internal auditing practices : (new) roles and influencing variables. Evidence from extended case studies

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  • G. SARENS
  • I. DE BEELDE

Abstract

Following the recommendation made by Rittenberg (1999), this study encompasses the broader nature of internal auditing that is evolving in practice and confirmed by the revised definition of internal auditing and the new Professional Practices Framework, both issued by the IIA in 1999. This study, based on six extended case studies, attempts to contribute to the literature by studying contemporary internal auditing practices in Belgium (assurance and / or consulting oriented), refining the influence of three predefined variables (reporting relationship, organisational support and internal control system) and determining other important influencing variables. Most internal auditing activities could be classified as a combination of assurance and consulting services. Moreover, we recognised a limited proportion of pure assurance activities and a sometimes quite extensive proportion of pure consulting activities. On the one hand, a strong administrative reporting relationship with management, a strong organisational support, a weak internal control system and a relatively young internal auditing department are in most cases associated with relatively higher proportion of consulting oriented activities. On the other hand, a strong functional reporting relationship with the audit committee, a weak organisational support, a strong internal control system and a more mature internal auditing department are linked with a relatively higher proportion of assurance oriented activities. Based on the results of this study, specific hypotheses for further research are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • G. Sarens & I. De Beelde, 2004. "Contemporary internal auditing practices : (new) roles and influencing variables. Evidence from extended case studies," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 04/273, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
  • Handle: RePEc:rug:rugwps:04/273
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. F. Todd Dezoort & Richard W. Houston & Michael F. Peters, 2001. "The Impact of Internal Auditor Compensation and Role on External Auditors' Planning Judgments and Decisions," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(2), pages 257-281, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. G. Sarens & I. De Beelde, 2006. "Interaction between internal auditors and senior management: A qualitative analysis of expectations and perceptions," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 06/358, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    2. G. Sarens & I. De Beelde, 2005. "Interaction between internal audit and different organisational parties: An analysis of expectations and perceptions," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 05/353, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    3. Hasnah Haron & Dato' Daing Nasir Ibrahim & K. Jeyaraman & Ong Hock Chye, 2010. "Determinants of internal control characteristics influencing voluntary and mandatory disclosures: A Malaysian perspective," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 25(2), pages 140-159, January.

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    Keywords

    internal auditing; Belgium; extended case studies; assurance; consulting; reporting relationship; organisational support; internal control system; maturity;
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