Background of the Study
Public sector auditing plays a critical role in ensuring financial accountability, transparency, and the efficient use of public resources. It involves an independent examination of financial statements and operations to determine their compliance with applicable laws and regulations (Adewale & Bamidele, 2023). In Nigeria, the Office of the Auditor General is mandated to audit public accounts, ensuring the effective utilization of government funds and preventing financial mismanagement.
Despite the importance of auditing, Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of corruption, fiscal indiscipline, and poor accountability in the public sector. The effectiveness of the Office of the Auditor General has often been questioned due to challenges such as political interference, limited resources, and lack of enforcement mechanisms (Ogunyemi & Oladipo, 2024).
This study investigates the effect of public sector auditing on financial accountability, using the Office of the Auditor General as a case study.
Statement of the Problem
Financial mismanagement remains a significant challenge in Nigeria’s public sector, with weak accountability mechanisms contributing to inefficiencies and corruption. While the Office of the Auditor General is tasked with ensuring financial accountability, its impact has been limited due to institutional and operational challenges (Okafor & Adeyemi, 2025).
Public sector auditing often fails to result in concrete actions, as audit reports are frequently ignored or not acted upon by relevant authorities. This undermines the objective of fostering accountability and transparency. This study seeks to examine the effectiveness of public sector auditing in promoting financial accountability in Nigeria, focusing on the Office of the Auditor General.
Objectives of the Study
To assess the role of public sector auditing in promoting financial accountability in Nigeria.
To identify challenges faced by the Office of the Auditor General in ensuring effective audits.
To evaluate the impact of audit reports on financial decision-making in the Nigerian public sector.
Research Questions
What is the role of public sector auditing in promoting financial accountability in Nigeria?
What challenges does the Office of the Auditor General face in conducting effective audits?
How do audit reports influence financial decision-making in the Nigerian public sector?
Research Hypotheses
Public sector auditing does not significantly promote financial accountability in Nigeria.
Challenges faced by the Office of the Auditor General do not significantly affect audit effectiveness.
Audit reports do not significantly influence financial decision-making in the Nigerian public sector.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study focuses on the role of public sector auditing in financial accountability, with emphasis on the Office of the Auditor General, from 2015 to 2024. Limitations include restricted access to audit reports and other sensitive information, as well as potential biases in respondents’ opinions.
Definitions of Terms
Public Sector Auditing: An independent evaluation of financial records and operations within government institutions to ensure accountability and transparency.
Financial Accountability: The obligation of public officials to manage resources responsibly and provide accurate financial reporting.
Office of the Auditor General: The statutory body responsible for auditing public accounts and ensuring compliance with financial regulations in Nigeria.
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