Author(s): Francis Aboagye-Otchere
This study examines audit committees' (ACs) involvement in Internal Audit (IA) process and how the interactions impact the performance quality of the internal audit function (IAF) in public Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Ghana. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews. The results reveal that the characteristics of the AC and its chair shape the involvement of the AC in the IA process. The study highlights that the competency of the IA head and staff improves their interactions with ACs and hence, ACs involvement in the IA process. The findings also indicate that different stakeholders use either, or a combination of, the process, output or outcome indicators to measure the performance quality of the IAF. The performance quality indicators include quality of reports submitted by the IAF, value derived from the activities of the IAF, and completeness of IAF processes. The findings have practical/policy implications on AC and IAF activities in the public HEIs in the Ghanaian context which has a law on the formation of ACs.