In recent years, significant changes have been made in the internal audit function, based on regulatory stipulations along with the need for improvement of internal audit services. These changes had a significant impact not only on the business itself, but also on the markets and on various stakeholders, and have led to the need to implement a methodology for conducting internal audits based on risk. Our research attempts to record the established status in the Greek shipping companies listed in the New York Stock Exchange NYSE regarding risk based internal audit, based on the perceptions of internal audit professionals. In order to succeed in that, a survey was performed among internal audit employees of various levels at Greek shipping companies listed on the NYSE. The research contains useful conclusions regarding the status of implementation of risk based internal audit methodology. Also, the research focuses on the impact of certain characteristics of internal audit like control activities using multiple regression econometric model based on the regulatory framework for internal audit as provided by the Institute of Internal Auditors. In order to succeed in that, regression analysis was executed based on the results of the aforementioned survey questionnaires. The results revealed significant relationship between risk based internal audit and some the characteristics of internal audit. The conclusion is that risk based internal audit methodology may have viable outcomes to the management of risks within the Greek listed Shipping companies. Key words: Internal audit, corporate governance, shipping industry, risk based internal audit. In recent years, significant changes have been made in the internal audit function, based on regulatory stipulations along with the need for improvement of internal audit services. These changes had a significant impact not only on the business itself, but also on the markets and on various stakeholders, and have led to the need to implement a methodology for conducting internal audits based on risk. Our research attempts to record the established status in the Greek shipping companies listed in the New York Stock Exchange NYSE regarding risk based internal audit, based on the perceptions of internal audit professionals. In order to succeed in that, a survey was performed among internal audit employees of various levels at Greek shipping companies listed on the NYSE. The research contains useful conclusions regarding the status of implementation of risk based internal audit methodology. Also, the research focuses on the impact of certain characteristics of internal audit like control activities using multiple regression econometric model based on the regulatory framework for internal audit as provided by the Institute of Internal Auditors. In order to succeed in that, regression analysis was executed based on the results of the aforementioned survey questionnaires. The results revealed significant relationship between risk based internal audit and some the characteristics of internal audit. The conclusion is that risk based internal audit methodology may have viable outcomes to the management of risks within the Greek listed Shipping companies. Key words: Internal audit, corporate governance, shipping industry, risk based internal audit.

In this paper, our purpose is to examine the relationship between the role of Internal Audit (IA), Corporate Governance (CG) and the Audit Committee (AC) in the recent financial crisis in Greece and to investigate the contribution of IA to CG structures as well as its possible, the IA’s role during the financial crisis in Greece. Moreover, little research has been conducted based on the relationship between corporate governance and internal audit during the financial crisis in case of Greece. For this reason, we conducted a survey, using questionnaires, which were sent to the listed companies of the Athens Stock Market. Out of a total of 192 listed companies on the Athens Stock Exchange, the relevant questionnaires were sent to 100 companies. Those companies were selected firstly based on their total turnover and secondly due to the availability of information from company websites such as employees’ numbers and Internal Audit Department Structures. Our conclusion was that Internal Audit adds value to the organization and it can also help the senior management towards the accomplishment of the organizational goals.

The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) audits has created new opportunities to enhance corporate governance through faster and more consistent assurance processes. However, concerns remain regarding accountability, transparency, and the role of human oversight in AI-assisted auditing. Prior research has predominantly examined AI adoption in traditional financial auditing, leaving its role in the more qualitative and judgment-intensive context of ESG assurance comparatively underexplored, particularly with respect to how AI decision-making authority should be balanced against human oversight. This study examines the effects of AI automation and AI decision making on audit efficiency, accountability, and transparency, while assessing the mediating role of human oversight. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from 150 professionals involved in ESG audit-related functions (including ESG auditors, compliance officers, sustainability managers, and AI governance analysts) across private, public, and non-governmental organizations, recruited through purposive and snowball sampling via professional networks, audit forums, and LinkedIn ESG groups. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that AI automation significantly improves audit efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Similarly, AI decision making within governance structures exerts positive effects on all three outcome dimensions. Furthermore, human oversight partially mediates these relationships, strengthening the overall impact of AI on ESG audit outcomes. These results suggest that AI enhances ESG auditing effectiveness, but its benefits are maximized when supported by strong governance and human supervision. The study contributes to the emerging literature on AI-enabled ESG assurance by demonstrating the importance of balancing technological efficiency with accountability and transparency in corporate governance.