PUBLIC SECTOR AUDIT PRACTICES AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN NIGERIA

Onowu, Joseph Uche (PhD, CNA); Azali, Sophia Iguehi (PhD); Agapia George (PhD)

Authors

Onowu, Joseph Uche (PhD, CNA) Department of Accounting, Federal University Otuoke P.M.B 126, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Azali, Sophia Iguehi (PhD) Department of Accounting, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni P.M.B. 5047, Port Harcourt.
Agapia George (PhD) Department of Accounting, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni P.M.B. 5047, Port Harcourt.

Abstract

The study examined public sector audit practices and accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. The aim of the study was to investigate the public sector audit practices and accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. The study was guided by nine specific objectives. These objectives include to; determine the relationship between financial audit and financial accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. Also, to determine the relationship between financial audit and management accountability of government organizations in Nigeria, finally to ascertain the relationship between financial audit and administrative accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. This study adopted the correlation research design. The population of the study comprised of 150 Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Rivers state, Nigeria. The sample size for this study is (15). The research utilized primary data. The research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the formulated hypotheses were tested using the simple regression analysis. From the findings of the analysis, it was discovered, That there is relationship between financial audit and financial accountability of government organizations in Nigeria, There is no relationship between financial audit and administrative accountability of government organizations in Nigeria, There is relationship between regulatory/compliance audit and financial accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. From the findings, this study concluded that there is a relationship between financial audit and financial accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. Meanwhile there is no relationship between financial audit and management accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. Also, there is no relationship between regulatory/compliance audit and management accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. Furthermore, there is relationship between regulatory/compliance audit and administrative accountability of government organizations in Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made among others Financial audit should be more seriously maintained as it helps in promoting financing deepening and contributes significantly, effective and professionally known external auditors should be hired to independently evaluate and examine books and accounts of public organizations and express an unbiased view on accounts audited, Civil service commission should refuse to accept any known political party card carrying members to be appointed as managers or top staff in public organizations as the see it as their time to embezzle.