A mixed methodology to view internal audits internal control functioning

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to holistically examine internal audit’s internal control functioning, by adopting a data transformation triangulation design. This entailed using questionnaire data and transformed qualitative content analysis data, to perform triangulation. It was found that internal audit functions (IAFs) are important role players in assisting audit committees in their internal control oversight responsibility and that a broad range of internal control work is performed by internal audit. However, in the public eye, there is scant information on IAFs’ functioning and a gap exists between what IAFs actually do and what is presented in public annual reports. The methodology used can be useful for future mixed method studies exploring the broad field of internal auditing. The results of this paper can be used as a starting point to create guidance on internal audit disclosure in public reports and to cultivate further research in the area of internal audit disclosure.