EFFECT OF INTERNAL AUDIT ON PUBLIC SECTOR PERFORMANCE

EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN BAUCHI

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of internal audit on performance of selected public tertiary institutions in Bauchi. Internal audit was measured in term of professional competence, internal control, audit standard and independence while, public sector performance measured in term of public accountability. The research is a cross-sectional study and questionnaires were administered and sent to the selected institutions in Bauchi to collect information. The study population as well as the sample size represents the entire staffs of the internal audit and bursary departments totaling One hundred and thirty (130). Regression analysis was used to measure variables through the use of SPSS. The findings of the research revealed that there is a significant relationship between internal audit and public sector performance measured in term of accountability. The study further recommended that the management of these institutions should   strengthen  their  mechanisms  that  will encourage members of internal audit unit to be honest in the pursuit of their responsibilities. Also the management should also  see  the  need   to employ  only  professionally  qualified individual to the post of internal auditor, as well as embarking on regular training to enhance internal auditors’ skills in the audit departments of the sampled institutions.