The article examined how independence and financial experience of audit committees impact their relationship with internal audit functions in Australia and New Zealand. They collected data through a questionnaire sent to chief internal auditors. The study found that independence and accounting experience influence how audit committees interact with internal audit. Independence is related to operational procedures, while accounting experience determines how much the committee checks the internal audit's work. The results also show differences based on the country and whether the entity is in the public or private sector. This study suggests that having both independence and accounting expertise in audit committee members is crucial for effective oversight.