While the coefficient on DIRBUSY is not significant, the coefficient on DIRTENURE is negative and significant. This suggests that with increased
tenure, there is again a higher ‘‘comfort zone” for the audit committee – increased firm-specific
knowledge and familiarity reduces the need for obtaining greater assurance from the internal audit.
The coefficient on MEET4 is positive and significant, suggesting a diligent audit committee is more
supportive of internal auditing. This result may also suggest that an audit committee meeting more
frequently to manage the risk of financial misreporting may demand a higher internal audit budget.