scholarly journals Assessment of Government Internal Control Systems on Financial Reporting Quality in Ghana: A Case Study of Ghana Revenue Authority

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Wonder Agbenyo ◽  
Yuansheng Jiang ◽  
Prince Komla Cobblah

Internal control systems cannot be underestimated as it serves as the lifeblood of most institutions in terms of its imperative roles that it plays in both tangible and intangible assets of an organization. Internal control actions on quality financial report state positive goals more especially when all parties involved adhere to their duties; thus, making the quality of financial reporting comparable, understandable, relevant, and reliable. In this regard, this study investigated the impact of government internal control systems on financial reporting quality in Ghana using Ghana Revenue Authority as the case study. Specifically, the study examined the nature and quality of financial reporting and the impact of government internal control systems on financial reporting quality. Both quota and simple random sampling techniques were used to select fifty (50) persons as the sample size of the study. Questionnaires were used to obtain data. The correlation matrix was used to examine the relationship between government internal control systems and financial reporting quality. The study finds out that contrary to apriori expectation sign monitoring as an element of internal control system has a negative impact on the financial quality reporting but was however statistically significant. The study also revealed that with a unit increase in the collection performance, the financial reporting quality of GRA will improve. The study recommended that the government should ensure that the internal control systems are well monitored and regulated. 

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-246
Author(s):  
Jagan Krishnan ◽  
Jayanthi Krishnan ◽  
Sophie Liang

Purpose The Dodd–Frank Act of 2010 exempts small, non-accelerated filers from compliance with Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) Section 404b internal control audits. However, these firms are required to comply with other internal control regulations, namely, SOX Sections 302 and 404a, starting in 2002 and 2007, respectively. A small number of these firms also voluntarily adopted (and sometimes dropped) Section 404b during 2004-2010. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a series of internal control regulations introduced by SOX on the financial reporting quality of small firms. Design/methodology/approach The research design for this study is empirical. Using unsigned and signed discretionary accruals as measures of financial reporting quality, the authors compare the financial reporting quality for adopters and non-adopters across four regulation regimes over the period 2000-2010: PRESOX, SOX 302, SOX 404a and SOX 404b. Findings The results indicate that most of the adopters and non-adopters benefited from SOX 302 and 404a compared with the PRESOX period. However, only the non-adopters gained incrementally when moving from SOX 302 to SOX 404a. Also, Section 404b benefited firms with material weaknesses, as well as firms without material weaknesses that had the lowest reporting quality, in the PRESOX period. Research limitations/implications This study helps inform the important policy debate on whether to increase the threshold that is used for the SOX 404b exemption. It shows incremental benefits for firms that adopted Section 404b audits, even when they were complying with Section 302 and Section 404a. Consequently, extending the exemption to more companies would result in a loss of the reporting quality benefit of 404b. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by focusing exclusively on non-accelerated filers and by examining differences across four regulation regimes over a long window compared to prior studies. It provides evidence that the financial reporting benefit of SOX 404b is not transitional, but rather extends for a few years even after some firms discontinued the 404b audits.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 102-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Newman Wadesango ◽  
Edmore Tasa ◽  
Khazamula Milondzo ◽  
Ongayi Vongai Wadesango

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in its objectives and preamble, presume that IFRS adoption and perceived compliance to regulatory framework is associated with increased financial reporting quality. Based on these assumptions, this desktop study reviewed several documents to determine whether the IFRS adoption has led to increased financial reporting quality in Zimbabwe. The researchers reviewed literature on how the IAS/IFRS and regulations affect the financial reporting quality of listed companies. The factors around IFRS adoption were identified (mandatory, voluntary and convergence) and discussed in relation to the financial reporting quality. Evidence from previous studies conducted in line with this same issue shows that there is no conclusive evidence on how IFRS and regulations affect the financial reporting quality. Issues to be addressed in further studies include the importance of financial statements prepared under IFRS framework and the importance of compliance with accounting and auditing requirements.


2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Nazlia Jamil ◽  
Sherliza Puat Nelson

Financial reporting quality has been under scrutiny especially after the collapse of major companies. The main objective of this study is to investigate the audit committee’s effectiveness on the financial reporting quality among the Malaysian GLCs following the transformation program. In particular, the study examined the impact of audit committee characteristics (independence, size, frequency of meeting and financial expertise) on earnings management in periods prior to and following the transformation program (2003-2009). As of 31 December 2010, there were 33 public-listed companies categorized as Government-Linked Companies (GLC Transformation Policy, 2010) and there were 20 firms that have complete data that resulted in the total number of firm-year observations to 120 for six years (years 2003-2009).  Results show that the magnitude of earnings management as proxy of financial reporting quality is influenced by the audit committee independence. Agency theory was applied to explain audit committee, as a monitoring mechanism as well as reducing agency costs via gaining competitive advantage in knowledge, skills, and expertise towards financial reporting quality. The study is important as it provides additional knowledge about the impact of audit committees effectiveness on reducing the earnings management, and assist practitioners, policymakers and regulators such as Malaysian Institute of Accountants, Securities Commission and government to determine ways to enhance audit committees effectiveness and improve the financial reporting of GLCs, as well as improving the quality of the accounting profession.     


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olumide A. Olowokure ◽  
Muhammad Tanko ◽  
Terzungwe Nyor

<p>The quality of financial report is very crucial as published financial reports remains, for the most part, the only means by which outside shareholders and investors keep themselves informed about the performance of the firm. In the present economic scenario, this concern for financial reporting quality becomes more acute as emerging market economies and more importantly mono economies like Nigeria face greater uncertainties as they combat the challenges of unprecedented fall in oil prices. In addition to this, the suspension of the CEO, Chairman and two other directors of Stambic IBTC bank by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria for filling a misleading financial statement for 2013 and 2014 has also shown that the issue of financial reporting quality cannot be overemphasized. Using secondary data from the published reports of thirteen listed deposit money banks in Nigeria for over a period of ten years between 2005 and 2014, this paper seeks to find the determinants of financial reporting quality and reports the findings of the impact of structural characteristics like age, size and level of leverage on financial reporting quality. Using prio studies as a guide, we developed a model for loan loss provisions and generated the residuals, using these residuals know as abnormal loan loss provisions as the dependent variable for the multiple regression analysis, the study did not find any evidence of significant relationship between firm age, size, leverage and financial reporting quality.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen Thi Tran ◽  
Nguyen Phong Nguyen ◽  
Trang Cam Hoang

Purpose By drawing on the institutional theory and contingency theory, this study aims to examine the effects of leadership and accounting capacity on the quality of financial reporting and accountability of public organisations in Vietnam. Furthermore, this paper is to determine the impact of financial reporting quality on accountability. Design/methodology/approach The research model and hypotheses have been tested by partial least squares structural equation modeling, with 177 survey samples obtained from accountants and managers working in the public sector in Vietnam. Findings The research results indicate that leadership and accounting capacity have a positive effect on financial reporting quality; leadership and accounting capacity positively influence accountability; and the quality of financial reporting has a positive impact on accountability. Research limitations/implications The research results provide empirical evidence of the direct impact of leadership and accounting capacity on financial reporting quality and accountability of public organisations in a developing country. Moreover, the current work also provides important evidence for the impact of financial reporting quality on accountability. Practical implications Public sector organisations must realise that leadership and accounting capacity play a vital role in the accounting reform process. Public institutions likewise need to pay attention to develop accounting capacity and promote leadership. Moreover, the results respond to the continuing call for increased citizen trust in public organisations. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the chain from leadership, accounting capacity, financial reporting quality and accountability in the context of public sector organisations in an Asian transition market.


Author(s):  
Pham Quoc Thuan

This study aims to determine the impact of auditors (Big 4 and non-big 4) and internal control effectiveness on the financial reporting quality in Small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam. The case study reasearch with participants who are in the following positions: Head of finance and accounting department; General manager/director; Internal control manager; Auditors is used to build and complete the measurement scale of financial reporting quality based on viewpoints of FASB and IASB 2018. Weighted average is applied for the elements of information quality in measuring financial reporting quality. By using the survey method with a sample of 183 respondents from small and medium - sized enterprises in Vietnam, the authors have developed a regression model showing the impact of these factors named: Auditors (Big 4 and Non-big 4) and Internal Control Effectiveness to the financial reporting quality. In which, the differences in the influence of Big 4 and Non-Big 4 on the quality of financial statements information is the highlighted contributions of this study. In terms of financial reporting quality, the survey results show that financial reporting quality in small and medium - sized enterprises in Vietnam is considered acceptable with average point being 3.49/5. Among 3 qualitative characteristics of financial reporting quality, the enhancing characteristics are highly evaluated (3.94/5) while the fundamental characteristics (relevance and faithful presentation) are considered as moderate (3.43/5 and 3.31/5).


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy E. Ji

Problem/ Relevance: Managerial myopia is an important issue of interests to academics, practitioners, and regulators as managers have been condemned for their obsession with short-term earnings and myopic investment decisions that sacrifice firms’ long term value for shareholders. This article contributes by examining whether the quality of firms’ internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) is associated with managerial myopia. Research Objective/ Questions: The purpose of this study is to examine whether managers in firms reporting material internal control weaknesses (ICW) under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002 engage in myopic behaviors more than those in firms without reporting ICW. Methodology: The study uses the logit regression model to investigate a sample obtained from Compustat for the period of 2005-2013. Major Findings: The study finds a positive association between internal control weaknesses reported by auditors under Section 404 of the SOX and managerial short-termism which is measured by the probability of cutting R&D expenses in the current year from the previous year. Implications: Whereas prior studies mostly examine the impact of internal controls on accounting quality, this study demonstrates the implication of internal controls beyond financial reporting quality by showing an association between internal control quality and managerial myopia. Future research may further investigate the association between firms’ financial reporting quality and managerial investment decisions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document