APPRAISAL OF THE ACCOUNTING FRAMEWORK IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

ABSTRACT

The management of public resources has always been a turbulent issue. This is precisely the heart of any governmental administration. Government business in whatever for, be it policies, programmes, activities or function is run in accordance with the laid down formalities. These formalities in the area of government accounting and financial control and procedures may include laws, rules and accepted norms certain financial memorandum of the local government system. The accounting framework regulates the account format for the preparation of government account in local government system in an instrument for introduction of new policies and guide lines, before inclusion into the financial regulation as a part of a more permanent code of regulation. It is used to aid the achievement of probity and accountability in government. The frameworks specify action acceptable and those doomed unacceptable. The system is set to ensure uniformly and conformity of application. This work examined the general background and concept of the research topic listing the aims, objectives, statements of problems and the scope and limitations of the research work. The existing literature on the accounting framework was examined so as to create in theoretical base for the study.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The peculiar nature of local government accounting transaction makes it desirable and indeed mandatory to treat it in accordance with specific, cohesive and standardize measurement such as the budgeting system and fiscal policy procedure. The local government financial framework measure all social activities with the control and stewardship of receipts, payment and related activities in the local government system in that the accounting system is maintained on cash basis. The system provides a satisfactory approach or matter of stewardship, accountability and cash programme accordingly. The balance sheet (known as monthly reconciliation of accounts surplus and deficit statement of local government) does not contain information on physical fixed assets, such as building. In local government accounting framework, specific registers are taken on payment basis for the purpose of controlling fixed assets, such registers are referred to as plant registers or inventory control. The system of accounting principles which is double entry book keeping. They system requirement is that every debit entry be matched with a corresponding credit entry of similar amount. In the accounting system, after the approval of annual budget, the letters of authority are communicated to head of department vote controllers. In local government, transaction is recorded when cash is paid or received irrespective of when goods were supplied or services rendered. Some of such records include department vote expenditure account. This record gives accurate account of goods ordered but not yet paid. Similarly, the registers of bills received or bills issued are kept to show at any time what the local government aspects to receive from its debtors. Some of the reasons why cash accounting is adopted in local government includes;

1)   It is a non-profit oriented organization.

2)   It operates an annual estimate of revenue and expenditure  which constitute of basis necessary to meet the estimated expenditure during the financial year concerned.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

There are many or numerous reasons for appraising (checking) the financial framework. Among the major reasons for appraising the financial frame work include:

1.MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUND 

Misappropriation according to oxford advanced learners dictionary is simply “taking somebody or money or property for yourself especially when they have trusted  you to take care of it”. This act is very common in most local government, where those “in-charge” use public funds for their personal motives. They sometimes tell a lie about the purpose they use the fund for by using the so called “shortcut” and diverting public money into their personal purpose.

2.INADEQUATE FINANCIAL RECORD KEEPING.

This also is another problem encountered in checking the financial framework of local government. Funds are easily misused due to the fact that the financial record keeping are not enough and not also enough, hence a problem.

3.LACK OF FINANCIAL PROBITY

It is rare mostly in the local government to see someone who has the quality of being completely honest especially in terms of finance. They mostly use public funds for personal motives. Hence this call for checking the structure of the financial system.  If the guidelines for the management of local government finances are not strictly observed chances are those misappropriations will happen. It is reasonable to conclude that there will likely be a state of financial recklessness in the local government in Nigeria, this phenomenon cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely without caution, control or application of appropriate sanctions. It is in this respect that the financial framework in Nigeria is issued by the ministry for the financial business of local government. Finance is like a thread that runs around a cloth if the thread is pulled wrongly at one end, it will affect the design of the cloth. This is to say that finance is to an organization as thread is to cloth. It must be disbursed in accordance with financial regulations.

1.3.  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The intention is to reinforce the checks and balance in deliberate effort not only to enhance judicious utilization of public resources, but also to preserve the gains made in building the local government services.The study will specifically dwell on the following:-

i)             Determining the yardstick for achievement of probity and accountability in local government.

ii)           Streamlining of duties and responsibilities of the arms of the local government executives and legislatures.

iii)          Determining the role of individuals key officers and other organs in the local government such as the executive committee.

iv)         Ensuring strict adherence to estimates as any deviation may bring about unpalatable consequences.

v)           Providing financial accounting services by means of accurate and detailed analysis of expenses in the course of discharging the function of the local government.

vi)         Strengthening control and accountability in the local government by way of highlighting to weakness with respect to financial matters. It is imperative to assert that is not the exclusive concern of any part of the organization or any one person or category of persons but rather the generality of individuals in the organization from the highest to the lowest to ensure financial regularity by way of ensuring that their field of operation and responsibility, proper value is obtained for money spent.

Control system is also to be designed to combat malpractice.

1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This research will examine the following questions with regards to an appraisal of the accounting framework in local government system. In Mbaitoli L.G.A.

Based on the definition, the following research question would be formulated to address the study.

1)         Does public finance expert believe that a better way of eliminating the problem of accounting framework in our local government system is through operating a cash accounting systems?

2)           Do you think that misappropriation of public fund in the local government system is a result of lack of proper financial record keeping?

1.4   RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

a)     Proper financial record keeping does not lead to misappropriation of public fund in the local government system.

b)     Operating a cash account system is a better way of eliminating the problem of accounting framework in our local government system.

c)     An appraisal of the accounting framework in our local government system.

1.4.  SIGNIFICANT/JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

The provision of the financial framework in the local government system is a unique feature in the administration of finance. Hence, this study will add to the effectiveness of the operators of the systems.   Information  contained in this work will serve as a very useful guide to executive council as well as various heads of units seeking to achieve better result. More importantly is the power of the council over the budget prepared and presented to it by the executive.   This study will also help internal auditors. Internal auditors are those who officially examine the financial records of a company within. It will help them evaluate the effectiveness and responsibility of the information they have.   In addition, supporting staff such as those on industrial training attachment, those of Youth services and also casual workers re to benefit immensely from the study.

1.5   SCOPES/DELMINATION OF THE STUDY

The study is limited to Owerri. Even though there are other local governments with similar problem, we decided to take Mbaitoli local government as our case study.

1.6   LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY.

In the process of carrying out this study, we encountered some problems which militated against the research project and also the major constraint of the research time. The slow time frame did not allow for proper coverage of a wide area     Finance is another factor. The money needed for going to and fro Mbaitoli Local Government. Also, the money need to cover the area to administer questionnaire.   Another limitation is the level or degree of literacy of the respondent. Some of the respondent could not read and write hence a problem. Also, it is the nature f the topic of study. We found it difficult to get information from sources like internet, newspaper, books etc. concerning the topic of the study.    Lastly, it is the problem of easy access to information from the local government. This is because those in authority who have the right to give out information were restrictive of management of information which is benchmark data for any meaningful research also posed a problem.

        DEFINITION OF TERMS

Some of the following terms relevant to the course of study are defined below:

a)LOCAL GOVERNMENT:- This can be defined as a unit of government administration at the local level established by law to perform some specific function within a given area of jurisdiction.

b)COUNCIL: According to advance learner’s dictionary. Council is of people elected to give advice, make rules and manage affairs.

c)BUDGET:  A budget is defined as a financial pal that serves as an expenditure for decision making.According to Abubakar 1998, he sees it as a conscious and systematic allocation of resources prepared and based on the forecast of key variables adopted to achieve certain policy objectives which may or may not set explicitly. Performance target for the achievement of objective relates anticipated revenue and form the basis against which all revenues can be measured.

d)STRONG ROOM: This is a place in the treasury where all cash, monetary and other valuables are kept.

e)ACCOUNTING:- This is defined as the identification, collection measurement, processing, evaluation and communication of financial information to facilitate decision regarding activities and resources.

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