INTERNAL AUDIT AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE AT 7UP BOTTLING CO.

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of internal audit on organizational performance, using 7UP Bottling Company Nigeria Ltd as a case study. The objectives were to evaluate the role of internal audit in improving financial performance, assess its contribution to operational efficiency, and examine its relationship with organizational risk management. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 30 staff across the Finance, Internal Audit, and Operations departments. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were used for analysis. The findings revealed that internal audit significantly enhances financial performance by improving profitability, cost control, and accuracy of financial reporting. It also contributes to operational efficiency through streamlining processes, identifying waste, and optimizing resource utilization. Furthermore, internal audit strengthens organizational risk management by enabling early risk detection, improving regulatory compliance, and reducing fraud risk. Chi-square results showed statistically significant relationships between internal audit and the three performance dimensions at the 5% significance level. The study concludes that internal audit is a strategic tool for improving organizational performance when adequately resourced, granted independence, and supported by management. It recommends enhancing auditor independence, integrating audit into strategic planning, adopting modern audit technologies, and ensuring timely implementation of audit recommendations. These findings have practical implications for strengthening corporate governance, improving operational processes, and enhancing competitiveness in the Nigerian manufacturing sector.