Assessing The Effectiveness Of Internal Audit Functions In The Ghana Education Service

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness of the internal audit functions in the GES. This is to evaluate how well the Ghana Education Service's audit committees support the internal auditor's duties. Determine the effect of the quality of audit work on the internal audit effectiveness of the GES. Investigate the effect of organisational independence on the internal audit effectiveness of the GES. Examine the effect of top management support on the internal audit effectiveness of the GES. The study is quantitative in nature, non experimental, and adopts survey and cross-sectional research strategies. The population of the study was public sector entities under the GES in 10 out of the 16 regions in Ghana. The study utilized a structured questionnaire to collect data from 400 internal auditors and audit committee members of GES. The study adopted a purposive sampling technique to obtain the required sample. The obtained data was analyzed using the OLS techniques in SPSS. The study revealed that internal audit functions in GES are effective, as organisational independence and top management support had a statistically significant positive effect on internal audit effectiveness. However, the effect of the quality of the audit on internal audit effectiveness was found to be positive but statistically insignificant. In light of this, management of the GES should seek to improve internal controls by enhancing the effectiveness of the internal audit units. Management should not interfere in the operations of the internal audit units, as this will create significant threats to the internal auditors. The internal audit unit should be given the opportunity to decide on the extent, timing, and scope of work. Continuous Professional Development programmes should be made available by the ICAG and CIIA to equip the GES internal auditors with new internal audit practices. Conclusively, professional accountants should be seriously considered in the recruitment of internal auditors.