Internal auditing in the Middle East and North Africa: A literature review

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) has conducted several surveys to understand the development of the internal auditing (IA) profession worldwide. In its latest survey, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region was expected to experience the most significant changes in the regulation of internal auditing (IIA, 2010). This study reviews the MENA region literature dealing with recent regulatory reforms in internal auditing, focusing on independence and objectivity, assurance versus consulting services, and the IA role in consulting activities. We find that while the majority of the region has introduced reforms to the IA function, more needs to be done to (1) insure independence and objectivity; and (2) involve IA in consulting services, particularly with respect to risk management, control and governance. This review and its findings are timely given the vast advances the IA profession is witnessing, and has implications for both the IIA and MENA countries’ regulators. The study also hopes to motivate further research in this region.