Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia

This study examines the effectiveness of an Audit Committee (AC) operating in a large government statutory body in an emerging economy, namely the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM). This study is timely, as previous studies focussing on AC effectiveness in relation to the public sector are spa...

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Main Authors: Sheikh Hassan, Ahmad Fahmi, Mamat, Adi Fazuli, Karbhari, Yusuf, Mohamad, Muslim Har Sani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia 2018
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16088/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16088/1/8%29%20Assessing%20Audit%20Committee%20Effectiveness.pdf
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author Sheikh Hassan, Ahmad Fahmi
Mamat, Adi Fazuli
Karbhari, Yusuf
Mohamad, Muslim Har Sani
author_facet Sheikh Hassan, Ahmad Fahmi
Mamat, Adi Fazuli
Karbhari, Yusuf
Mohamad, Muslim Har Sani
author_sort Sheikh Hassan, Ahmad Fahmi
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This study examines the effectiveness of an Audit Committee (AC) operating in a large government statutory body in an emerging economy, namely the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM). This study is timely, as previous studies focussing on AC effectiveness in relation to the public sector are sparse. Data collection was through in-depth interviews with key individuals involved in the IRBM governance process, including AC members, senior management and external auditors. The study finds existence of a weak AC governance function that inadequately oversees financial reporting and internal control systems. We find the independence of AC members questionable, as a communication gap exists between AC members and the external auditor. In particular, the study highlights that top management should ensure that its AC fulfils its assigned role and that urgent attention is given to issues on composition, appointment and diligence of its AC members. We conclude that the IRBM should consider improving independence by appointing an external independent AC member(s) from either the big four or an influential industry expert to provide the necessary input and expertise to ensure that public confidence continues.
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spelling upm-160882019-11-12T06:52:49Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16088/ Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia Sheikh Hassan, Ahmad Fahmi Mamat, Adi Fazuli Karbhari, Yusuf Mohamad, Muslim Har Sani This study examines the effectiveness of an Audit Committee (AC) operating in a large government statutory body in an emerging economy, namely the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM). This study is timely, as previous studies focussing on AC effectiveness in relation to the public sector are sparse. Data collection was through in-depth interviews with key individuals involved in the IRBM governance process, including AC members, senior management and external auditors. The study finds existence of a weak AC governance function that inadequately oversees financial reporting and internal control systems. We find the independence of AC members questionable, as a communication gap exists between AC members and the external auditor. In particular, the study highlights that top management should ensure that its AC fulfils its assigned role and that urgent attention is given to issues on composition, appointment and diligence of its AC members. We conclude that the IRBM should consider improving independence by appointing an external independent AC member(s) from either the big four or an influential industry expert to provide the necessary input and expertise to ensure that public confidence continues. Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia 2018 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16088/1/8%29%20Assessing%20Audit%20Committee%20Effectiveness.pdf Sheikh Hassan, Ahmad Fahmi and Mamat, Adi Fazuli and Karbhari, Yusuf and Mohamad, Muslim Har Sani (2018) Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia. International Journal of Economics and Management, 12 (spec. 2). pp. 401-411. ISSN 1823-836X; ESSN: 2600-9390 http://www.ijem.upm.edu.my/vol12_noS2/8)%20Assessing%20Audit%20Committee%20Effectiveness.pdf
spellingShingle Sheikh Hassan, Ahmad Fahmi
Mamat, Adi Fazuli
Karbhari, Yusuf
Mohamad, Muslim Har Sani
Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia
title Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia
title_full Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia
title_fullStr Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia
title_short Assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia
title_sort assessing audit committee effectiveness of a government statutory body: a case study of the inland revenue board of malaysia
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16088/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16088/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16088/1/8%29%20Assessing%20Audit%20Committee%20Effectiveness.pdf