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Internal Control As An Aid To Accountability In The Public Sector.
[A STUDY OF BIASE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE]
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1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHSES
A
number of variables must have to be put into consideration in trying to
evaluate the efficacy of internal control measures by Biase local
government area, cross river state. It is these variables that the
researcher wishes to uncover in order to understand the role played by
the application of internal control measures to the survival of the
public sectors.
Based on the statement of the problem and the purpose of the study, the researcher formulates the following hypotheses:
1. Ho: Internal control does not provide desired effects or results in the public sector.
2. Ho: Internal control does not provide appropriate segregation of functional responsibility.
3.
Ho: Internal control does not provide a system of authorization and
record procedure adequate for reasonable accounting control over assets,
liabilities, revenue and expenses.
4. Ho: Internal control does not provide a sound accountability of records in the sector.
5.
Ho: Internal control does not provide a sound practice to be in
performance of duties and functions of each organizational department.
6. Ho: Internal control does not provide for preventing and detecting embezzlement, fraud and errors.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
research work of this nature will be significant to the government,
business organizations, academic as well as the researcher.
Often
government establishment are accused of dishonest manipulation and
deliberate distortion and thereby not being accountable to the public.
In this view of this, the significance of the study includes the
following:
1. GOVERNMENT: It is hoped that findings in this research
work and subsequent recommendations will go a long way in helping the
state and federal governments achieve their aims and objectives through
their establishment and find out how true the accusation is.
2.
BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS: Every establishment should maintain a cordial
relationship with business organizations. The revealing of this
relationship and what the government does will go a long way to put the
general public on the knowing of what the government is up to in terms
of proper amenities and good infrastructure.
3. ACADEMIC: By
unveiling the distortions in the local government and unearthing some of
their crimes, this study will add to the knowledge of dynamics of Biase
local government area, cross river state and to the entire academic
world.
4. RESEARCHER: The researcher will gain a lot by involving
himself in identifying some of the contradictions of policies and giving
recommendations that will endeavor to reduce the shortcoming from local
governments in the country.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
During
research work, students are often faced with many constraints. To evade
some of these constraints, students are now required to carry out a
research, in a small area selected for study or to be used as a
reference point for large area.
This study is based on internal
control as an aid to accountability in the public sector using Biase
local government area as a case study. The study is also to examine
accountability in public sectors and how internal control aids to it.
Therefore the scope of this study covers a spectrum of Biase local government area.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Research
of this nature is always beset with series of difficulties, ranging
from the problem of data collection, time, low literature and problem of
getting the desired attention from the respondents. The major
constraints of this study are as follows:
I. TIME: This is one of the
major constraints of this study to get the true research it requires.
Interview periods are frequently shortened and sometimes rescheduled
because of other engagements of the management personnel being
interviewed. Also the academic work and other domestic problems of the
researcher leave him with limited time for work.
II. ATTITUDE OF THE
RESPONDENTS: Some of the respondents were unwilling to disclose certain
information for security purposes as well as distorted or biased report
from the worker is another constraint. Therefore, the outcome of the
study depends on the data collected from the state councils and local
government chairman.
III. LOW LITERATURE: Another limiting factor is
the non-availability of adequate information involved in the study due
to the fact that the local government was in the remote area.
1.9 DEFINITION OF OPERATIONAL TERMS
Some
terms that are used in the research are defined as the apply to this
study. They are as follows: ORGANISATIONAL CONTROLS: According to
Ifurueze {1995:111} “organizational controls are rules and regulations
and essential procedure which identifies the organizational structure,
define roles, allocate responsibilities and identify lines of reporting
for all the establishment operationsâ€. ACCOUNTING CONTROL: Accounting
control according to Ifurueze {1995:111} “comprises the methods and
procedures that are mainly concerned with the authorization of
transactions, the safeguarding of asset, and the accuracy of the
financial records. Good accounting controls help maximize efficiency,
they help minimize waste, unintentional errors and fraudsâ€. PUBLIC
SECTOR: This is simply defined as, all organization which is not
privately owned or as organization which lie in the hands of the public.
INTERNAL CONTROL: This may be defined as the whole system of controls,
financial or otherwise, established by the management to assist in
carrying out functions in an orderly manner, safeguard its assets,
secure as far as possible the accuracy and reliability of its records,
promote operational efficiency and encourage adherence to policies.
ACCOUNTABILITY: According to Dan Oku {2001}†as setting correct goals,
evaluating the effective achievement of the major objective and at what
price, presenting and interpreting this information to the public and
accepting responsibility of failure. FRAUD: This means irregularities
involving the use of criminal deception to obtain an unjust or illegal
advantage.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]ABSTRACTIn this study internal control as an aid to accountability in the public sector was researched on using Biase local government area, cross river state as the case study. The major objective of the study was to find out and understand how internal control aids accountability in the public sector and to explain those relevant topics, which will enable any reader to understand and appreciate the important of how internal control aids accountability. Questionnaires were constructed for the p ... Continue reading---
