MANAGERIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING INTERNAL AUDIT OUTSOURCING DECISIONS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA

Enyinna Okpara
Wellspring University Benin City

Chinedu B. Ezirim
University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt

Umaru Mohammed
Nigerian Army Signal Corp Headquarters, Lagos

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the influence of certain managerial factors (cost management, professional competence, resource management, and risk management) on the decision to outsource internal audit functions of small and medium sized enterprises in Nigeria. The results of this study reveal that the surveyed owners and managers of small and medium sized enterprises in Nigeria perceived a significant relationship between the decision to outsource the internal audit and cost saving and professional competence, but they did not perceive significant relationships between the decision to outsource the internal audit and the risk management consideration and resource management factors.

Keywords: Internal audit function, outsourcing decision, cost saving, professional competence, resource management, risk management