Perceived Internal Audit Quality and External Auditors’ Attributes in Iranian and Iraqi Banks

Abstract

The significance of internal auditing and its quality cannot be overstated, making it essential to investigate the factors influencing this quality. This study, employing a cross-sectional analysis, aims to assess how the characteristics of external auditors affect the perceived quality of internal audits in Iranian and Iraqi banks. In 2024, data regarding the attributes of external auditors and the perceived quality of internal audits were collected through a questionnaire distributed to external auditors from various banks in Iran and Iraq. The data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The study reveals a positive relationship between external auditors’ competence and independence and the perceived quality of internal audits, while it shows a negative impact of external audit methodologies on this perceived quality. These findings highlight the importance of external auditors’ independence as a key determinant of perceived internal audit quality.