DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING

This study investigates the impact taxation on performance in small scale enterprise. It separately ascertains the effect of tax policies on small scale enterprise performance, the effect of tax rates on small scale enterprise performance, the effect of multiple taxation on small scale enterprise performance and the relationship between taxation and small scale enterprise performance. The study made used of descriptive survey research design. The study population consisted of 156 small-scale enterprises with a sample size of 115 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The data collected and collated from the respondents were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Based on the analysis, the following were the findings: Tax policy affect small scale enterprise performance as unclear and inconsistent tax policies affect business planning and operations. The major effects of tax rates on small scale enterprise performance are the reduction of capital available for business expansion and inability to meet tax obligations due to high tax rates. The major effects of multiple taxation on small scale enterprise performance are the increment of operational costs of small businesses, and discouragement in the registration and formalization business. Taxation has a significant positive relationship with the performance of small-scale enterprises. Considering the findings of the study and the conclusion reached the following recommendations among others were suggested: Government agencies should endeavour to simplify tax policies to ensure clarity and consistency, reducing the uncertainty that affects business planning and operations. Government at all levels should come up with a framework to reduce excessive tax rates to encourage business expansion and enable small enterprises to reinvest in their growth. Relevant Government Authority should introduce more tax incentives such as exemptions and
holidays to support small business sustainability and profitability

This study investigates the impact of audit committee characteristics on the financial performance of listed companies in Nigeria, with a particular focus on audit fee, auditor independence, auditor rotation, auditor tenure, and auditor experience. The study was motivated by the growing demand for transparency and accountability in financial reporting within the Nigerian corporate sector. Secondary data covering ten listed financial and insurance companies from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, diagnostic tests, and multiple regression analysis using EViews 13 and SPSS. The descriptive results revealed moderate variations in audit characteristics across firms. Correlation analysis indicated that audit fee and auditor experience have strong and significant positive associations with firm performance, while auditor rotation and tenure showed weak relationships. Auditor independence was found to be constant across firms and was therefore excluded from the regression analysis. Regression results demonstrated that audit fee (β =
0.001, p < 0.01) and auditor experience (β = 0.150, p < 0.05) significantly improve return on assets (ROA), while auditor rotation (p = 0.673) and auditor tenure (p = 0.645) were not significant predictors of performance. The model recorded an R² of 0.606, indicating that approximately 61% of variations in firm performance are explained by the audit committee characteristics examined. Diagnostic tests confirmed the absence of ulticollinearity,
heteroskedasticity, and autocorrelation, while residuals were normally distributed.
The findings suggest that higher audit fees and greater auditor experience enhance financial
performance, underscoring the importance of investing in quality audit processes and skilled
auditors. However, auditor rotation and tenure did not significantly affect performance, raising
questions about the effectiveness of these governance mechanisms in the Nigerian context. The
study concludes that strengthening audit committee practices, particularly by ensuring fair
compensation and leveraging auditor expertise, is critical for enhancing firm value and investor
confidence. It recommends that regulators and firms emphasize auditor competence and
independence while re-evaluating rotation and tenure policies for greater effectiveness.

This study examined the impact of audit firm attributes on the financial reporting quality of quoted multinational firms in Nigeria, with a specific focus on audit firm size, audit fees, audit firm industry expertise, and audit firm tenure. The study employed a quantitative research design, analyzing panel data from 13 multinational firms quoted on the Nigerian Exchange Group over a six-year pe riod (2019–2024). Using the Robust Least Squares (RLS) estimation technique, thestudy inves tigated the extent to which these audit characteristics influence the quality of financial reporting. The findings revealed that audit firm size had a positive and statistically significant effect on financial reporting quality, while audit firm tenure showed a negative and significant relationship. In contrast, audit fees and audit firm industry expertise were found to have no significant effect. Based on these outcomes, the study recommended that firms engage larger, reputable audit firms to enhance reporting quality, and that regulatory bodies enforce auditor rotation policies to reduce risks associated with prolonged audit tenure.

This study empirically examined the determinants of financial reporting quality of listeddeposit money banks in Nigeria. The study employs secondary sources of data fromthe financial statements for the period of six years (2015– 2020). Random Ef ects Regression techniqueof data analysis was used in the analysis of data. The study found a significant positive relationship between firm size, firm liquidity, boardsizeand board diversity and financial reporting quality, while an insignificant relationship was foundbetween firm leverage during the period under review. In view of the foregoing empirical findings, it is recommended that: despite the structural andadministrative complexities that are associated with larger companies, managers shoulddeploya means of reporting quality financial statement in order to boost the investors’ confidence intheorganization; managers of deposit money banks in Nigeria should strive for improved liquiditylevel if they are to enjoy quality financial reporting; banks should maintain adequateandef ective corporate governance practices (board size and board diversity); and in relationtofirmleverage, banks should ensure an optimum leverage level is maintained as suchwouldcontinuously minimise the adverse ef ect of leverage on financial reporting quality

Auditing practices in Nigeria have undergone significant transformations over the years, reflectingbroader global trends while also addressing unique local challenges. According to a report bytheNigerian Accounting Standards Board (NASB) in 2016, the adoption of International FinancialReporting Standards (IFRS) has been pivotal in enhancing the quality and comparabilityof financialstatements (Abdullahi & Abubakar, 2020). This transition underscores the relevance of auditingpractices in ensuring transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors. InNigeria,where the economy is characterized by a mix of oil dependence, burgeoning entrepreneurship, andpublic sector reforms, the role of auditing cannot be overstated. The effectiveness of auditingpractices is crucial for investor confidence, regulatory compliance, and the fight against corruption.Rashid et al. (2022) highlight the critical role auditors play in mitigating financial irregularitiesandenhancing the credibility of financial reporting.

This study investigates the influence of corporate governance mechanisms on the financial performance of consumer goods firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) between 2019 and 2023. Using a sample of twenty (20) quoted companies over a five-year period, the study examines Earnings Per Share (EPS) as the dependent variable, while Frequency of Board Meetings, Board Size, Gender Diversity, and Board Independence serve as independent variables. Data were collected from audited annual reports and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, Variance Inflation Factors (VIF), heteroskedasticity tests, and Panel Least Squares regression in E-Views 13.
The findings indicate that Frequency of Board Meetings, Board Size, and Board Independence significantly and positively influence EPS, highlighting the importance of regular board oversight, optimal board composition, and independent directors in enhancing firm performance. Gender Diversity, however, was found to have no statistically significant impact on financial performance, suggesting that diversity alone may not translate into measurable financial outcomes without supportive policies and inclusive practices. The study concludes that effective corporate governance structures are critical in improving transparency, accountability, and financial performance in Nigeria's consumer goods sector. The study recommends the adoption of policies that promote independent oversight, regular board meetings, optimal board size, and effective gender diversity practices.

This study investigated the value relevance of sustainability reporting in the Nigerian banking sector, focusing on whether Environmental, Economic, Social, and Governance (EESG) disclosures influence the share prices of listed commercial banks. The main objective was to determine if sustainability information affects market valuation and investor decision-making in an emerging economy context. Specifically, the research examined the effects of environmental, economic, social, and governance disclosures on the share price of listed banks in Nigeria. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design and applied the Ohlson (1995) Price Model as the analytical framework. Secondary data were obtained from the published annual reports and
sustainability disclosures of eight listed banks over a five-year period (2019–2024), producing 56 firm-year observations. The variables analyzed included Book Value per Share (BVPS), Earnings per Share (EPS), Sustainability Reporting Index (SR), Firm Size (SIZE), Leverage (LEV), and Return on Assets (ROA). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression
techniques were employed, with diagnostic tests (VIF, Breusch–Pagan, Jarque–Bera, and Durbin–Watson) used to confirm model validity. The findings revealed that Book Value per Share (BVPS) has a strong positive and statistically significant effect on share price, indicating that investors rely heavily on tangible asset strength in valuing banks. Conversely, Earnings per Share (EPS), Sustainability Reporting Index (SR), Firm Size (SIZE), Leverage (LEV), and Return on Assets (ROA) showed statistically insignificant
relationships with share price. This implies that while Nigerian banks increasingly disclose EESG information, such sustainability reporting has not yet attained meaningful value relevance in market valuation due to limited investor responsiveness, weak regulatory enforcement, and low sustainability awareness. The study concludes that sustainability reporting in Nigeria’s banking sector remains at a developmental stage and has not become a major determinant of investor decisions. It recommends that regulators such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) strengthen disclosure standards and enforcement mechanisms. Banks are encouraged to enhance the quality and credibility of their sustainability reports, while investors
should be educated on the financial implications of EESG information. These measures would improve transparency, comparability, and the overall value relevance of sustainability reporting within the Nigerian financial market

This study examined the influence of personal ethics on financial reporting quality, using the University of Benin as a case study. The research was motivated by the increasing concern over unethical accounting practices that undermine the reliability and credibility of financial statements in University of Benin. Specifically, the study sought to determine how core personal ethics shape the accuracy, reliability, and credibility of financial reports prepared by accounting professionals within the institution. A descriptive survey research approach was employed to collect quantitative data, ensuring that the findings could be generalized within the institutional context. Structured questionnaires were administered to a purposively selected sample of Accountants, Auditors, Financial Controllers and Budget Officers, and Accounting academics at the University of Benin. These instruments were designed to capture respondents’ perceptions of ethical conduct, adherence to professional codes of ethics, and the extent to which personal ethical orientation affects their reporting practices. The results revealed that strong personal ethics among accounting professionals significantly enhance the quality of financial reporting, leading to improved accuracy, objectivity, and compliance with established accounting standards. Respondents who demonstrated high levels of integrity and honesty were more likely to produce financial reports that accurately reflect the institution’s financial position and performance. Furthermore, the study found that ethical transparency fosters greater stakeholder trust, institutional credibility, and accountability, thereby reducing the likelihood of financial misstatements and manipulation. Based on these findings, the study concluded that personal ethics play a critical role in sustaining high-quality financial reporting practices. It recommended that organisations, particularly higher education institutions, should intensify ethics-based training programs, promote adherence to professional ethical codes (such as those outlined by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and other regulatory bodies), explore the impact of emerging technologies, and enforce strict disciplinary measures against unethical behaviour. By embedding ethical consciousness into their accounting and reporting culture, organizations can ensure greater transparency, reliability, and accountability in their financial disclosures, thereby strengthening public confidence and institutional reputation.

This study analyses the effect of audit committee characteristics on the financial reporting quality of quoted consumer goods companies in Nigeria. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the dependent variable, financial reporting quality and the independent variables, audit committee independence, audit committee size, audit committee financial expertise and audit committee meeting frequency. Secondary data was used in this study and the sample size for the study was
derived using Taro Yamane formula. Data were obtained from annual reports of the 21 consumer goods companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group from 2018 to 2022. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression were used to analyze the data. The study finds that audit committee independence and audit committee financial expertise have a positive and significant effect on financial reporting quality while audit committee frequency of meeting and audit committee size have positive but insignificant effect on financial reporting quality. The study recommends that training and seminars be organised for audit committee members in order to keep them up to date on their roles and responsibilities, allowing them to be more effective and efficient in their assignments. Furthermore, this study recommends that the independent directors of the audit committee should make up the larger number than the shareholder’s representative.

This study examined the effect of Board Sustainability Committee (BSC) characteristics on the corporate financial performance of listed companies in Nigeria. The specific objectives were to determine whether BSC size, BSC independence, and BSC expertisesignificantly influenced corporate financial performance, and to assess the control effect of firm size. The study was motivated by increasing global and local attention on sustainability governance and its role in enhancing firm value, particularly in emerging economies such as Nigeria. Secondary data were obtained from published annual reports of sampled firms, and financial performance was measured using Corporate Financial Performance (CFP). The study adopted an ex-post facto research design and employed several diagnostic tests, including normality, heteroskedasticity, multicollinearity, and model specification checks. Due to the presence of heteroskedasticity and omitted-variable concerns, the robust pooled OLS regression (rreg) was identified as the most appropriate estimation technique. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationships among the variables. The robustness of the model ensured reliable coefficient estimates despite data irregularities commonly associated with financial reporting information. The empirical findings revealed that only Board Sustainability Committee Independence had a positive and statistically significant effect on corporate financial performance. In contrast, BSC size, BSC expertise, and firm size exhibited positive but statistically insignificant effects. The study therefore concluded that the independence and objectivity of sustainability committee members were the most critical determinants of financial performance within the sampled firms. Based on these findings, the study recommended that firms strengthen the independence of their sustainability committees and move beyond symbolic compliance toward more substantive sustainability governance practices