It is important to be aware, as mentioned earlier, that the study’s results come from the very specific context of CIAs in Saudi Arabia, and in this connection, there is a strong possibility for certain cultural predispositions to come into play in the attitudes and behaviour demonstrated by CIAs, and generally, the way the IAF operates in that environment must be accepted. Undoubtedly, the collectivist nature of Saudi society, in which tribal and friendship allegiances are influential, has the potential to interfere with the effective monitoring of audit practice (Alzeban, 2015; Haniffa and Hudaib, 2007). Indeed, Al-Twaijry et al. (2002) observe that this heavy emphasis on personal connections, together with the hierarchical nature of society and economic enterprise, make for difficulties in the discharge of audit duties, as opportunities for intervention are often taken to the detriment of honest financial reporting. Consequently, culture is seen to have a negative influence on the IAF, as it prevents detailed investigations which are demanded if the IAF is to operate independently and effectively