The effects of human resources in internal audit on external audit pricing decision

Abstract

This study presents evidence that external audit fees are negatively and significantly associated with the proportion of general internal auditors. Further, external audit hours are negatively and significantly associated with the proportion of general auditors without affecting external unit audit price. In addition, the results of the data adjusted for firm size suggest that audit fees and audit hours decrease for smaller firms as the proportion of general internal auditor increases. The result implies that both small firms and their external auditors are encouraged to utilize more general internal auditors in performing an external audit. The author finds no evidence that external audit fees are associated with internal auditor expertise or experience. This shows that external auditors are not likely to rely on internal auditors’ professional judgment in performing an external audit due to reduced auditor independence.