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If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation.Abstract This paper uses questionnaires from and interviews to examine the level of co-operation and co-ordination between directors of internal audit departments, and partners and managers in external audit firms in Saudi Arabian companies. The results revealed that external auditors expressed concern about the independence, scope of work and small size of many internal audit departments. Internal auditors considered co-operation between internal and external audits to be limited, although external auditors were more positive about the extent of co-operation when the internal audit department was of high quality. The extent of reliance by the external auditor on the work of the internal auditor varied with the quality of the internal audit department. External auditors suggested that the objectivity, competence and work experience were important factors affecting the reliance decision. They felt that the internal audit function in many Saudi companies lacked professionalism and independence from management, which adversely affected its work and the potential for reliance thereon.

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Based on a series of research interviews with academics and external and internal auditors, this paper examines the role of audit committees in the Saudi Arabian corporate sector. The interviewees expressed concerns about the terms of reference of audit committees and the scope of work undertaken. The independence of audit committees was called into question, as was the expertise of audit committee members. Audit committees had failed to establish close working relationships with either internal or external auditors. A particular criticism was that the requirements for audit committees as set out in Ministerial Resolve 903 lacked clarity. It was suggested that the Ministry of Commerce should issue further regulations and guidance in order to improve the effectiveness of audit committees and to enhance corporate governance in Saudi Arabia. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 2002.