Auditoria interna no contexto da governança corporativa: estudo das empresas listadas nos mercados diferenciados da Bovespa

Abstract

Internal auditing is an integral part of corporate governance. Companies are not required to implement internal auditing in Brazil, except for banks and those controlled by government. The study analyze Brazilian internal auditing characteristics in the corporate governance context, taking in account BOVESPA’s Novo Mercado listed companies and compare them to international audit standards. The study was carried out by exploratory approach focusing on aspects such as: (1) size and technical components, (2) report level, (3) audited areas, (4) methods and process of auditing and (5) impacts of corporate governance on internal auditing. The survey questionnaire was sent to 71 companies and replied by 27 of them. It was employed graphics of frequencies to analyze collected data and describes the found internal auditing characteristics. Amongst the respondent companies only 3 do not have internal auditors. Two thirds of internal auditors report either to The Audit Committee or The Board of Directors. Proprietary internal auditing methodology is the most used tool and more than 50% mentioned employment of external models and standards such as NBC T 12, Institute of Internal Auditors’ standards, Sarbanes Oxley rules, COSO and CobiT. Continuous auditing is in its way, but it is under funded yet. In companies where internal auditing is legally required it is more aligned with corporate governance best practices than where it is implemented voluntarily. In conclusion, the study shows that internal auditors follow audit international standards in two thirds of the companies.