The Roles and Status of Internal Auditors in Public Sector Organisational Project

Abstract

The increased demand for accountability and transparency from public sector project  has placed much emphasis on the work of internal auditors. However, the establishment of internal audit in public institutions has not achieved its primary objectives due to the pervasive corruption and financial irregularities that still exist in our public institutions. This may be a result of a lack of knowledge and incorrect perceptions about the work of internal auditors among managers and other stakeholders. The study, therefore, seeks to examine the roles and status of internal auditors from the perspective of these stakeholders.  This study is an interpretative qualitative research which adopted a case study approach. The instruments used were interviews and publicly available documents. The data is analysed using thematic analysis. The study reveals that internal auditors play oversight responsibilities, improve internal controls, advise management on risk management policies, ensure the organisation follows regulations and produce quality financial reports. However, internal auditors face many setbacks. Internal auditors are often taken for granted and lack independence and cooperation from other staff members. Again, they have defined the scope of work with limited power and inadequate career development, which hinders their effectiveness in performing their roles. To address these implications, management should take the work of internal auditors seriously by implementing their recommendations. They should also involve internal auditors in cases involving the application of laws such as procurement processes. Management should also ensure that internal auditors’ independence is protected and that they is given the necessary career development support to function effectively