THE ROLE OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION IN PROMOTING EEFECTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN GHANA

OWUSU, WILLIAM; ABOAGYE, AYENSU NANA; BONSU, ISAAC OSEI; OWUSU NYARKO, LYDIA

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THE ROLE OF THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION IN PROMOTING EEFECTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN GHANA

OWUSU, WILLIAM; ABOAGYE, AYENSU NANA; BONSU, ISAAC OSEI; OWUSU NYARKO, LYDIA

URI: http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3056

Date: 2012-11-21

Abstract:

Organisations are created to achieve specific goals and objectives. Unfortunately, goals are not always achieved as expected, because they should be reached in a context of risky environments. Internal auditing is one of the main organisational functions that deal with risk exposure and management. This study is aimed at presenting the situation of the internal auditing function and financial management in the public sector and specifically at NHIA. In order to successfully perform the research, we employed qualitative research methodology. In this context, the literature review helped in describing, in details, some key notions, namely internal and management financial management. Reliable data have been collected and obtained from this institution, especially with regard to internal auditing and financial management.

Description:

Today, in businesses worldwide, the internal audit function is becoming very important for achieving the objectives of organisations. In recent years, Ghana has recognised the importance of the internal audit function, which is why that function has been established in public institutions. The internal audit function is an integral part of the corporate governance regime of most public institutions and a number of larger private companies. The primary goal of internal audit is to evaluate the institution’s risk management, internal control and corporate governance processes and ensure that they are adequate and are functioning correctly. Managing risk is actually managing the organisation in planning, organising, directing, and controlling the organisation's systems and resources to achieve objectives (Namee, 2005). In Ghana the managers of most public institutions are not as effective in dealing with uncertainty as it is required. Pickett S. H. K and Pickett J. (2005b) view the existence of an internal audit function as essential for all affected institutions and suggest that where the board of such an institution decides not to implement an internal audit function, full reasons for its decision should be advanced in the institutions Annual Report. In addition, the board should consider how, in the absence of internal audit, the effectiveness of the institution’s internal processes and systems will be verified. According to Pickett (2004:10), internal auditing has come a long way over the last two or three decades. In the past, internal auditing was seen as a mechanism to double-check the thousands of financial transactions that were posted to the accounts each week. In the 1950s and 60s, it only consisted of basic tests of the accounts with a view to isolating errors and irregularities. Huge standardised auditing work programmes would be prepared that determined the steps that had to be taken to verify figures in the main accounting ledger and feeder systems. In contrast, today's internal auditor facilitates the development of suitable controls as part of a wider risk strategy, and provides assurances on the reliability of these controls.

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