Abstract

Organizations that oversee education institutes contribute to the quality of education. Audit as a tool can support the optimization of processes for these organizations. However, literature was scarce regarding audit in educational monitoring organizations. This research attempts to understand the position that audit holds in educational monitoring and how it optimizes their processes. A questionnaire based on audit literature was prepared with the aid of experts to fill in the gaps regarding education. A total of 199 responses were collected from senior executives of educational monitoring organizations. The data were analyzed through SPSS and a factor analysis was initially used. The correlations between the factors were discerned using a regression analysis. The research produced 4 factors that measure the process optimization, ability to support external audits, support given by audit and the reorganization of processes after the audit. The results showed that audit is used supportively and not proactively. The interesting finding is in reorganization caused by the need of optimization before the audit's execution. Audit is thus not only considered a tool for optimizing processes, but as a means of stimulation. Therefore, its healing properties are not fully utilized, despite the perceived importance of audit to organizations and states.

Key words: Internal audit, education, educational institutes, educational monitoring organizations, public sector.