Factors influencing the implementation of risk-based auditing
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine, from the agency perspective, the influence of internal audit and audit committee attributes, as well as risk management and internal control systems, on the implementation of risk-based auditing among public-listed companies in Malaysia. Design/m...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
2017
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/61514/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/61514/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/61514/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/61514/1/ARA-10-2016-0118.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/61514/7/Factors%20influencing%20the%20implementation%20of%20risk-based%20auditing.pdf |
| Summary: | Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine, from the agency perspective, the influence of internal
audit and audit committee attributes, as well as risk management and internal control systems, on the
implementation of risk-based auditing among public-listed companies in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was distributed to the in-house internal audit
function in approximately 620 public-listed companies. Consequently, data from 117 heads of the internal
audit function was collected and analyzed.
Findings – The findings indicate that “audit committee review and concern” and “risk management system”
are significantly and positively related to the implementation of risk-based auditing. Most importantly, the
results indicate the importance of audit committee inputs and concerns in reviewing internal audit activities.
Empirically, the findings also suggest that a more formalized risk environment would foster the existence of a
strong risk-aware culture and hence provides a strong foundation for internal audit to implement risk-based
auditing. However, internal audit experience, size of internal audit function, audit committee qualifications,
and internal control system are not found to be significant predictors of the presence of risk-based auditing.
Research limitations/implications – This study examined only risk-based auditing practices in the
in-house internal audit function of public-listed companies; hence, the findings cannot be generalized to all
Malaysian-listed companies that outsource or co-source their internal audit activities.
Social implications – An effective internal monitoring mechanism and better quality of internal audit work
will minimize potential risks that prevent the achievement of company objectives, reduce propensity to falsify
financial information, and improve financial reporting quality.
Originality/value – This study contributes evidence concerning the relationship between internal monitoring
mechanisms and the implementation of risk-based auditing among in-house internal audit activity. |
|---|