ABSTRACT: THE IMPACT OF SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING IN GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING
The study aims to examine the impact of sustainability reporting on governmental accounting, with objectives to (1) analyze the integration of sustainability metrics in governmental financial reports, (2) evaluate the benefits of sustainability reporting for public accountability, and (3) assess the challenges faced by governmental accountants in implementing sustainability reporting. A survey design was chosen to collect quantitative data from a wide respondent base, with a sample size of 384 accountants calculated using Taro Yamane’s formula, ensuring a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. The research was conducted in Lagos due to its environmental and economic diversity. The survey achieved a reliability coefficient score of 0.90. Findings indicate that sustainability reporting enhances public accountability and promotes transparency in governmental accounting. However, challenges such as lack of expertise and insufficient data hinder effective implementation. Recommendations include providing specialized training for governmental accountants and developing standardized guidelines for sustainability reporting.