The purpose of this study was to assess the perception of external auditors towards internal audit practices of private sector in Ethiopia. There were 63 audit firms registered in Federal Office of Auditor General in 2013. 140 questionnaires were distributed to external auditors from which 43 were collected. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze the data using statistical package for social science (SPSS). The study found that independence of internal auditors was not maintained in Ethiopian private sector. Furthermore, the proficiency of internal audit function is low which negatively affects their contribution to quality audit services. It also found, internal audit functions in private sector mainly provide assurance service but, their consulting role is minimal.