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Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are hybrid organisations that strive to balance business and social goals. This paper examines the determinants of the internal audit (IA) function in MFIs, with particular emphasis on the business goals, specifically efficiency, productivity, regulation and the gross portfolio yield. We also investigate whether the establishment of an IA function is associated with MFI's focus on their social objectives relating to outreach, and women director appointments. Multivariate regression results from 1025 MFIs across 63 countries show that MFIs' focus on their social objectives is related to their propensity to establish an IA function. Thus, outreach and women director appointments are positively related to the establishment of an IA function. Similarly, in terms of the performance emphasis, the gross portfolio yield (inefficiency) increases (decreases) the likelihood of establishing an IA, but productivity and regulation have no effect. The findings suggest that MFIs' dual focus on social and business objectives impacts the establishment of internal audits. The results are robust to various measurements and estimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses management and financial reporting for state assets in two countries: Croatia and New Zealand (NZ). Therefore, it compares a 'novice' country in terms of public sector assets treatment with a 'mature' one. The authors use a qualitative research method, reviewing relevant institutional and non-institutional documents in the field of management and accounting for assets in public sector. They conclude that the possibility of applying developed countries' experiences and wider international trends for state assets management in 'transition' countries depends greatly on a variety of factors that have influenced the development of those countries and factors that encompass both specific national and international forces. The paper contributes to the existing literature on management, accounting and reporting for state assets in different jurisdictions. How public sector assets should be accounted for and managed has been debated for over 30 years. Recent discussion has included whether or not it is possible to apply developed countries' experiences to transitioning countries. This paper compares reporting and management in New Zealand (NZ) and Croatia and will be of value to national and international standard setters and political and professional bodies in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examine whether the publicly-available accounting information about infrastructural assets and other information in New Zealand local government's financial statements is helpful for the assessment of investment in infrastructural assets. Their analysis indicates that information on annual net investments for infrastructural assets is useful for understanding the level and type of infrastructural assets investments and how these assets are funded. Further, such investment focuses more on visible infrastructural assets than invisible infrastructural assets. This study contributes to the literature on the reporting and management of public infrastructure assets. Local government in many countries is responsible for investing and maintaining infrastructural assets and is often accused of under-investing in these assets. Information published in local government financial statements can assist in assessing the level of funding sources for infrastructural assets and the choices that local government makes in relation to which types of assets are funded. This paper's finding that local government allocates more funding to visible, rather than invisible, infrastructural assets has important policy implications for the sustainability of invisible infrastructural assets and will be of interest to both local and central governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]