Internal auditing research: where are we going?

In this editorial, I first discuss the content of the four papers contained in this special issue. Then, I discuss certain areas for future research in internal auditing, based upon the concept of internal audit function (IAF) quality. I raise the question: ‘when can we talk about an effective IAF?’ In theory, the answer should be: ‘when IAF quality has a positive impact on the quality of corporate governance’. IAF quality consists of two components that merit further investigation: (1) the characteristics of the IAF as a whole, and (2) the characteristics of the individual internal auditor. In addition, future research should investigate to what extent IAF quality is associated with internal control quality and risk management quality, two important aspects of corporate governance. Finally, I stress the importance of the risk and control culture, when studying the relationship between IAF quality and internal control quality or risk management quality