Research on the internal audit function is relevant for improving the quality of governance in organizations. The internal auditor is an important element of government management in the context of realizing good governance by providing quality and effective audit results. The aim of this study is to examine the factors influencing (determinants) the effectiveness of the internal audit function in Indonesian local government organizations. The research samples were 137 respondents. This study used primary data in the form of a questionnaire. The hypothesis testing technique used Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis. The results of statistical tests showed that independence, competence, and management support could increase the effectiveness of the internal audit function. However, this cooperative relationship does not moderate the influence of competence and management support on the effectiveness of internal audit. The practical implication of this study is that in order to increase the effectiveness of internal audit, internal auditors must uphold an attitude of independence, objectivity and freedom from conflicts of interest in carrying out their professional responsibilities. The practical value of this study also shows that to increase the effectiveness of public sector internal audit, internal and external auditors must increase cooperation to improve the effectiveness of internal audit, especially in discussion activities between internal and external auditors, communication between internal and external auditors, and activities to share working papers between internal and external auditors.

Financial information that meets the user’s requirements must be accurate, sufficient, timely and reliable. Consequently, national laws and international auditing standards require the auditor to provide confidence in the audited financial information. To achieve this, the auditor independence must be ensured. The objective of this study is to identify factors affecting the auditor independence in financial statements audit in Vietnam. The identified factors are audit tenure; the provision of non-audit services; economic dependence; employment with audit clients; competition within the external audit market; the risk to the auditor from the provision of poor-quality audit services, and the disclosure of financial relations. Data of the study were collected through a survey of auditor, audit firms and users of financial statements such as managers, investors, accountants, etc. The findings are the basis for proposing recommendations to more enhance the auditor independence and audit quality in financial statements in VietNam.