GOVERNMENT DIGITAL ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS AND FRAUD OCCURRENCE IN FEDERAL PUBLIC ENTERPRISES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined government digital accounting systems and fraud occurrence in federal public enterprises in Rivers state, Nigeria. The objectives of the study among others are; To examine the relationship between government integrated financial management information system (GIFMIS) and payroll fraud (PF). Also, to examine the relationship between treasury single account (TSA) and payroll fraud (PF). To examine the relationship between integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS) and embezzlement. This study adopted correlational survey research design. The targeted population was fifteen (15) federal public enterprises in Rivers state, Nigeria. The instrument for this study was primary data. The formulated research questions were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The hypotheses were tested using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) Model regression analysis with the aid of E-view (10). The findings of the study among others were that; there is a significant relationship between government integrated financial management information system and payroll fraud in Nigeria public enterprises. Also, there is a significant relationship between treasury single account and payroll fraud in Nigeria public enterprises. And there is no significant relationship between treasury single account and payroll fraud in Nigeria public enterprises. Based on the findings, the study advanced the following recommendations that though, government integrated financial management information system has contributed significantly to payroll fraud occurrence. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) should be fortified financially and technologically for effective lope holes in digital accounting strategies. The anti-graft agency should also add forensic accountants for professional detection of evidences which will assist litigation in the court of law, State and Local governments across the nation should endeavor to adopt the operation of single treasury account for effective and efficient management of public finance, especially in the areas of fraud control and accurate accounting. Again, training Bureaus of the federal civil service should be empowered to train accountants to specialize in forensic auditing. Upon completion of their studies, these accountants should be deployed to man all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies government integrated financial management information system to continuous mitigating fraud in the public service.