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Purchasing audits have received too little attention; an improved methodology is described here with increased emphasis on the technicalities of procurement.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between audit committee expertise and financial reporting quality. Since the Sarbanes Oxley Act, 2002, there has been growing interest in the research concerning audit committee expertise, especially as the Security Exchange Commission requires firms to identify their audit committee financial experts.Design/methodology/approachBased on two theories, the resource dependence theory and agency theory, the study examines the association of audit committee experts with financial reporting quality, proxied by earnings management. Samples involved 2008 financial data of 300 firms that were ranked by highest market capitalisation. In total, four types of expertise are developed based on academic qualification, professional qualification and work experience.FindingsPresence of non‐accounting experts and accounting experts is significant to reduce the magnitude of earnings management. Other than that, leverage and firms size are also found to be significant.Originality/valueThe findings show RDT is prevalent in accounting or auditing domain, where there is evidence showing directors bridge firms with external resources such as expertise and experience. Subsequently, contribute to the mainstream accounting literature that the resource dependence theory is also vital in explaining situations where directors' expertise and knowledge are involved.

The Children's Law Center designed this information packet for lawyers, child protection workers, and others involved in the processing of child abuse cases. This information packet provides information on expert witnesses in general, on expert witnesses in specific subject matter, and on appellate case law concerning expert witness testimony.

The use of river corridor surveys (RCS) prior to major river maintenance works is now widely accepted within the water industry as a means of integrating the requirements for nature conservation with river‐management practices. This paper outlines the audit procedures introduced by the National Rivers Authority (NRA), Wessex Region.The introduction of follow‐up or audit surveys in 1988 allowed an assessment of the effectiveness of RCS in protecting and enhancing habitats. The method and results of the audit are discussed, confirming the usefulness of audit in ensuring success in the most cost‐effective manner. The audit also identified training needs and failures in implementing enhancement recommendations. Audit has led to a more consistent standard of environmentally‐sensitive maintenance work. A revised method for audit surveys is detailed.

ABSTRACT
With the growing relevance of internal auditing, academics and practitioners emphasize the importance of an adequate and adaptable staffing approach. Because internal audit resources are considered a crucial component of internal audit quality, we investigate why internal auditors perform audits with experts from within or outside the organization. These joint audits augment resources and represent a viable alternative to additional staffing or full outsourcing of the internal audit function (IAF). Using survey data from three national chapters of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), we consider three IAF dimensions (i.e., structure and resources, activities and processes, environmental factors) associated with resource augmentations. Our findings provide evidence that joint audits are used when the IAF is comparatively small and competent, when the IAF focuses on risk and strategy-related tasks, and when the IAF is decentralized. Our findings also suggest that joint audits can strengthen the auditor-auditee relationship.
Data Availability: Please contact the authors.
JEL Classifications: M42; M49.