However, despite these intertwined trends in organisational reporting and assurance
provisions, there is dearth of empirical studies which have explored the role of assurance
mechanisms in wider organisational reporting process, particularly within the context of the
emerging IR practice (Simnett and Huggins, 2015). This study explores the role of the audit
committee function, as an internal assurance provider, in the emerging IR practice. A number of
prior studies have shown some evidence, albeit limited, that the role of the audit committee
function goes beyond the traditional financial reporting process and enhances the quality of nonfinancial
disclosures (Li et al., 2012; Ahmed Haji, 2015). We add to this line of research by
investigating the role of the audit committee function in IR practice. In so doing, we explore the
relationship between the extent and quality of IR practice and the overall, as well as specific
aspects, of the audit committee function.