THE AUDITORS INFLUENCE ON PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN BUSINESS ORGANISATION IN NIGERIA

This study investigates auditors influence on performance and accountability in business organizations in Nigeria. The main purpose of this study was to specifically find out the impact of influence of auditors’ professionalism, auditors’ level of education, auditor’s work experience and auditors’ evidence-based approach on the performance and accountability of business organization in Nigeria. The design of the study was a survey research design. The population target of this study comprised of 376 small and medium-sized enterprises operating across various sectors within Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The research instruments used in gathering data was the questionnaire, which were administered to small and medium-sized enterprises operating across various sectors within Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The instrument was validated by the research supervisor and other lecturers in the Department of Accounting. Mean, standard deviation, percentages, regression and Pearson correlation analysis were used analyze the research questions and hypotheses. The findings reveals that auditors’ professionalism influenced, level of education, work experience and evidence-based approach significantly influenced performance and accountability in business organization in Nigeria (P<0.05). It was also revealed that the most the most important factors that resulted to performance and accountability in business organization in Nigeria are auditors’ work experience (0.233), professionalism (0.225), level of education (0.220) and evidence-based approach (0.189) respectively. Therefore they are considered indispensable for business organization growth in the study area. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that small and medium enterprises in Edo State are to adopt hiring competent auditors as a strategy of improving accountability and performance while auditing firms should adhere strictly to international auditing standards (ISA) and financial reporting frameworks such as IFRS to improve audit reliability and accountability in Nigerian businesses.