DETERMINANTS OF BANKS’ INTERNAL AUDIT QUALITY: A STUDY ON SELECTED COMMERCIAL BANKS IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of internal audit quality in selected commercial banks in Ethiopia. The study used purposive sampling method and covered the head office internal auditors of selected Ethiopian commercial banks. Mixed approach method was adopted in the study. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire to 130 internal audit department staffs of the commercial banks. These questionnaires were constructed in 5-point Likert scale, distributed to internal auditors of selected Ethiopian commercial banks. Multiple Regression (OLS) has been employed to regress the data obtained. The result of this study shows that top management support, promotion and reward, physical work environment and auditors’ performance were strong and has statistically significant effect on internal audit quality. As the regression results shows availability of budget, training and development autonomy to implement internal audit techniques have insignificance effect on internal audit quality. The study recommends that Ethiopian commercial banks must work to ensure the availability of the key factors to achieve the quality of internal audit function.