Public Sector Audit, Transparency and Good Governance on Financial Accountability of Public Sector Entities in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of public sector audit, good governance and financial transparency on financial accountability of twenty – six (26) ministries in the Rivers State Civil Service. The study employed cross sectional survey research design. The population consisted of twenty – eight ministries and the Taro Yamene model was used for sample size determination while simple random sampling was employed. The study used primary and secondary sources of data collection. Questionnaire was the primary source of data collections after the application of content and face validity while Cronbach alpha was employed to test the reliability of the instrument. The dependent variable was financial accountability index while the independent variables consisted of financial audit index, performance audit index, compliance audit index, good governance index and financial transparency index. The responses obtained from the questionnaire were analysed with univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. The multiple regression analysis suggested that there is a positive and significant relationship between financial audit index, performance audit index, compliance audit index, good governance index and financial transparency index on accountability in public sectors in Rivers State. The study concluded that public sector audit, good governance and financial transparency promote financial accountability in the Nigerian public sector. Therefore, the following recommendations were provided amongst others that The Accounting Officers in government Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA) should carry out government business in accordance with accountability, transparency, effectiveness and efficiency, responsiveness, forward vision and rule of law for the welfare of the citizens.