Internal Auditors’ Perceptions of Their Role in Environmental, Social and Governance Assurance and Consulting

Managerial Auditing Journal, Vol. 30 Iss: 1, pp. 80-111

39 Pages Posted: 12 Mar 2015

See all articles by Dominic Canestrari-Soh

Dominic Canestrari-Soh

Macquarie University; Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School

Nonna Martinov-Bennie

Macquarie University - Faculty of Business and Economics; Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School

Date Written: March 10, 2015

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature and extent of internal audit functions’ (IAFs) involvement in environmental, social and governance assurance (ESG) and consulting in Australia. To identify emerging priorities, and the profession’s capacity to respond to these, the paper also explores internal audit practitioners’ perceptions of the current and future importance of these issues and the adequacy of their skills and expertise in meeting the challenges associated with their involvement in these areas.

Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 100 Chief Audit Executives and internal audit service provider partners through a survey.

Findings: Governance issues are a key area of focus for respondents’ assurance and consulting efforts, followed by social and environmental issues, respectively. While governance issues are perceived to be of greatest current importance to IAFs, environmental issues are most commonly expected to increase in importance over the next five years, and are reported to be in greatest need of further development of IAFs’ skills and expertise.

Research limitations/implications: As the corporate landscape and expectations around transparency and accountability increase, the internal audit profession needs to address the current perceived skills gap in their ability to provide assurance and consulting on ESG issues to ensure their continued relevance and ability to meet stakeholders’ needs and expectations in providing effective integrated assurance and in contributing to internal improvements.

Originality/value: This paper provides initial empirical evidence of the nature and extent of internal audit’s involvement in ESG assurance and consulting.

Keywords: Sustainability, Environmental, social and governance assurance, Internal audit

Suggested Citation

Canestrari-Soh, Dominic and Martinov-Bennie, Nonna, Internal Auditors’ Perceptions of Their Role in Environmental, Social and Governance Assurance and Consulting (March 10, 2015). Managerial Auditing Journal, Vol. 30 Iss: 1, pp. 80-111, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2576567

Dominic Canestrari-Soh (Contact Author)

Macquarie University ( email )

North Ryde
Sydney, New South Wales 2109
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/contact_the_faculty/all_fbe_staff/dominic_soh

Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School ( email )

New South Wales 2109
Australia

Nonna Martinov-Bennie

Macquarie University - Faculty of Business and Economics ( email )

Sydney, New South Wales 2109
Australia

Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School ( email )

New South Wales 2109
Australia

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