Financial Accountability Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

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- Cluster Sampling

Israel’s attempt at strengthening public sector internal audit is found to have limited success, conforming with experiences of other countries. The adopted internal audit policy had little more than symbolic value, being devoid of stipulations to affect significant change. This is confirmed by implementation data that reveal low scores for most organizations across dimensions of structure, process and outcome. Politics of accountability and policy change models help to explain the causes of ineffectual internal audit legislation and of weak implementation. Findings suggest that top–down approaches to strengthening public sector internal audit are misplaced.

- by Raanan Sulitzeanu-Kenan
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- Business, Accounting, Accountability, Politics

Measuring fair value and applying it has always been an important issue. With the publication of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the issue of fair value has received more attention. In Iran, the adoption of IFRS also shows the attention to the fair value approach, so much so that the importance of this issue and its dimensions have led to the recent Iranian accounting standard (Standard 42) has been assigned to this concept. In the governmental sector, however, the issue is slightly different. In 2015, the US Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued "Statement No. 72," which measures and application of fair value. The Statement is designed to bring more clarity to areas of uncertainty-including direction on how to apply fair value when market values cannot be obtained and where management judgments are necessary. In this article, the most important aspects of this statement, especially the measurement, application and disclosure of fair value, will be discussed. The changes to current practice required by GASB Statement 72 aim to improve the consistency and comparability in how governments measure and apply fair value and disclose information about those measurements.

Many human problems today are solved by new technologies. In the financial field, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have been discussed for several years. Blockchain technology is a big step in calculating the transparency of a government and will lead to a kind of computational transparency. On the other hand, it can guarantee trust between two or more groups in a contract that do not know each other. This article describes how blockchain works and why offices use it. The advantages and disadvantages of blockchain, as well as examples of blockchain applications, will also be shown. What matters is that blockchain needs to be understood broadly from a conceptual and technical point of view. Decision-makers and citizens must be educated before implementing such technology, which completely changes the political and financial landscape. Blockchain is not the ultimate solution to all the problems that new governments are grappling with, but its secure and transparent nature can increase the sharing of information between public organizations.

This study investigates the effect of establishing an internal audit department in improving the level of financial accountability in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2021. The statistical population of the study includes managers and staff of financial management, administration and budget and provincial centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and the sample includes 100 managers and financial managers of universities and health and treatment network with a total of 58 health and treatment networks and 36 hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that evaluated the effectiveness of internal audit by using variables to ensure the necessary controls in the implementation of laws and regulations, to ensure compliance with policies, effectiveness of operations, efficiency of operations, correct and timely recording of financial events in the books and timely preparation of financial statements, and upgrading the level of protection of current and non-current assets and auditing costs. Data analysis was done by SPSS and the findings of the study showed that establishment of an internal audit department ensures the implementation of the necessary controls in the implementation of laws and regulations and also the compliance with the implementation of policies and guidelines and the increase of the operation effectiveness and the increase of the operation efficiency and ensures proper and timely registration of financial events in the offices and timely preparation of financial statements and improvement of the level of protection of current and non-current assets and reduction of audit costs in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

Considering the role of the budget in organizations and departments, governments tried to reform the budgeting system and finally used operational budgeting, but in practice they faced obstacles and problems to implement this budgeting system. In the first stage, this research tries to identify the existing obstacles and problems affecting operational budgeting in private hospitals of the social security organization of Tehran province. In the next step, prioritize these obstacles and problems and finally provide suggestions to reduce the obstacles of operational budgeting implementation. The data of this research has been collected using questionnaires that were distributed among the heads and managers and employees of the hospital. After that, by analyzing the data through the factor analysis test, the research hypotheses have been tested. The results of this research show that out of 3 environmental, human and organizational factors, only environmental and organizational factors have a significant effect on operational budgeting implementation problems. In other words, for the successful implementation of operational budgeting, attention should be paid to organizational and environmental factors.

∴ Introduction ∴
The financial framework of a nation plays a crucial role in its overall health, akin to the function of a circulatory system in a living organism. An effective financial structure is essential for achieving the lofty goals set by a legal system. Central to this effectiveness is the systematic supervision of the annual budget execution, a responsibility primarily vested in the legislative branch. However, this oversight requires a dedicated entity to scrutinize actions, align them with plans, rectify deviations, and prevent potential financial misconduct. In Iran, this responsibility is bestowed upon the supreme audit court, as stipulated in articles 54 and 55 of the constitution. The court's duty, according to article 55, encompasses auditing and reviewing all accounts of budgetary entities nationwide, ensuring adherence to approved funds and proper fund utilization, and preparing and submitting the budget's fate report to the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Given the passage of time since the court's establishment and legal developments, a reevaluation of its scope and obligations, especially in light of the opinions of the Guardian Council, is imperative.
∴ Research Question ∴
The primary inquiry of this research centers on the "legal analysis and examination of the jurisdictional scope of financial oversight by the Supreme Audit Court of Iran and the obligations imposed by the opinions of the Guardian Council." This research aims to shed light on the limits outlined for financial oversight by the court after considering the opinions of the Guardian Council. Specifically, it seeks to discern what restrictions are set to prevent unauthorized transgressions in the court's oversight role.
∴ Research Hypothesis ∴
The authors posit that the Guardian Council, entrusted with safeguarding Islamic principles and constitutional provisions, may narrow the scope and obligations of the Supreme Audit Court in its opinions. This potential narrowing, driven by the Guardian Council's commitment to Islamic law and constitutional principles, could pose a risk to the oversight competence of the court. The hypothesis suggests that the opinions of the Guardian Council might set stringent parameters, potentially limiting the effectiveness of the Supreme Audit Court in fulfilling its financial supervision responsibilities.
∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴
To test the hypothesis and address the research question, a critical analytical method will be employed. The research will comprehensively study and analyze the opinions of the Guardian Council, particularly focusing on their implications for the jurisdiction and obligations of the Supreme Audit Court. The critical analysis will involve evaluating the Guardian Council's opinions in comparison to the constitutional mandates outlined in articles 54 and 55. Additionally, the study will scrutinize the potential risks and challenges posed by any perceived narrowing of the court's oversight scope.
This comprehensive approach, examining the legal scope and obligations of financial auditing by the Supreme Audit Court through the lens of the Guardian Council's opinions, distinguishes this research as innovative and pioneering in its field. The aim is to provide nuanced insights into the intricate balance between the legal mandates, Islamic principles, and constitutional obligations shaping financial oversight in the Iranian legal system.
∴ Results & Discussion ∴
The comprehensive supervision conducted by the Iranian Supreme Audit Court aligns with the emphasized responsibilities of the Guardian Council in supervising parliamentary decisions. The court's duty to audit all budget allocations returning to the national budget is evident. However, the interpretative opinion of the Guardian Council, as outlined in article 55 of the Iranian constitution, imposes limitations on the Supreme Audit Court's authority. The council's stance restricts the court's auditing scope to allocations specified in the national budget, excluding matters beyond this purview. This restrictive interpretation, advocating for all-encompassing oversight, appears inconsistent with some ordinary laws.
Establishing a coherent and independent supervision mechanism for non-budgetary financial transactions or developing internal oversight structures within the organization emerges as potential solutions to enhance supervision and auditing effectiveness. The need for a balance between the court's oversight authority and the explicitness of the Guardian Council's opinion becomes apparent in ensuring comprehensive financial scrutiny without unnecessary constraints.
∴ Conclusion ∴
In conclusion, while the Guardian Council's interpretative opinion appears overly restrictive, it serves to maintain the clarity and specificity of the Supreme Audit Court's oversight authority. The council's stance, rooted in a desire for an idealistic interpretation of the constitution, underscores the necessity of the court's supervision over all financial matters of budgetary entities. However, its explicit limitations prevent unintended extensions of the Court's authority.
Specific obligations further shape the oversight and auditing scope of the Supreme Audit Court. The accurate disclosure of expenses and allocations in the budget document remains paramount, provided it aligns with the institution's authority and financial independence. Prohibitions on delegating unrelated authorities, emphasis on utilizing private auditors and approved budgetary capacities, and the exclusivity of the court in performing its duties under article 55 all contribute to defining the Court's responsibilities.
Moving forward, a delicate balance between upholding constitutional principles, meeting the Guardian Council's expectations, and ensuring the effectiveness of financial oversight is crucial. Adapting to evolving legal landscapes and interpreting regulations in alignment with the Guardian Council's opinions will be key in preserving the integrity and purposefulness of the Supreme Audit Court's role in safeguarding the financial health of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

- by Journal of Islamic Law Research
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- Public Law
- by Behzad Nadjafi
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- Business, Accounting, Health Administration, مدیریت سلامت

The foundation of accounting knowledge has always been to provide essential information for users to make informed economic decisions. However, evidence suggests that the standards derived from the current policy-making process prevalent in accounting fail to be notably effective in providing valuable information for decision-making, especially for investors. The primary cause of this inefficiency and ineffectiveness in accounting policy-making stems from the dependence on linear reasoning. The policymaking process in accounting is plagued by an array of contradictions, disorders, repetitions, challenges, and provisional agreements among groups without a logical and unified framework. This research aims to analyze the content of the policy-making process in accounting and present a novel approach to rectify this process and strategically guide it towards fulfilling its objectives in light of the chaos theory. Methods This study adopts a mixed-methods research approach. Initially, content analysis was employed to extract components affecting patterns in the policy-making process. Specialized questionnaires tailored to these identified components were subsequently distributed to gather the opinions of experts. These questionnaires were crafted to evaluate both the prevailing policy-making process in accounting and the decisionmaking behaviors of accounting information users, especially those of investors. The statistical population consists of certified accounting experts, i.e., practicing auditors

The intention of this study was to investigate the effect of an Internal Audit function on the accountability of local NGOs in Uganda. The study is driven by the fact that internal audit functions play a significant role in organization efficiency and effectiveness which requires empirical assessment and to evaluate its effects on accountability. The study was guided by three objectives which included; investigating the effect of internal control measures on accountability of local NGOs; investigating the effect of risk management on accountability of the local NGOs, and establishing the effects of corporate governance on accountability of local NGOs. The study used a cross-sectional survey design with qualitative and quantitative approaches and the unit of analysis is Dr. Elioda Foundation for Human Development. Primary data was collected using a close-ended structured questionnaire from 43 respondent and interviewed 3 key respondents. Questionnaire data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 to generate descriptive, correlation and regression empirical analysis which were supplemented by explanatory themes generated from interviews.
The regression results established that internal control with coefficient beta of 0.320 has positive statistically significant effect on accountability of local NGO at 95% and explain 10.3% variation on accountability (R Square = 0.103); risk management with coefficient beta of 0.720 has positive statistic significant effect on accountability at 99% level and explain 51.8% variation on accountability of the local NGO (R Square = 0.518); corporate governance with coefficient beta of 0.764 has a positive statistically significant relationship on accountability at 99% level and explains 58.4% variation on accountability of local NGOs (R Square = 0.584). Other findings from correlation results indicate a positive significant relationship between internal audit functions and accountability. Furthermore, multiple regression results indicate that risk management with coefficient beta 0.354 and corporate governance with coefficient beta 0.574 have a positive statistically significant effect on accountability of the local NGO at 95% and 99% respectively while internal controls were insignificant. All variables explain 65.3% variation on accountability (R Square = 0.653). It was concluded that risk management and corporate governance significantly predicts the accountability of the NGOs, unlike internal controls.
The study recommends that local NGO leaders and managers should focus on corporate governance practices and risk management as attributes of internal audit functions to support organization accountability.

- by Frank Rwangoga
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- Accounting and Finance

Considering the waves of privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) during the last two decades in our western societies, it is more than ever interesting to compare their performance with that of the privately owned enterprises. One of the alleged goals of privatization is to increase the performance or internal efficiency of public firms (Ernst, 1995). This notion is based on the widely-held belief that private enterprise performs better than its public counterpart and that privatization becomes the only way to improve the performance of SOEs. Public firms are, thus, very often perceived as being mismanaged and squandering assets and resources. Three main theories: property rights (

- by Gaetan Breton
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- Business, Economics, Philosophy of Agency, Property Rights

The present study aims to identify and rank the factors affecting ethical decisionmaking in accounting and auditing based on multi-criteria decision-making methods. Initially, the measurement indicators of ethical accounting and auditing and the factors affecting them were identified. Then, using the Delphi method, 16 experts in the field of accounting and auditing ethics selected the most effective measurement indicators for the variables and proposed a final model. In this model, individual, social, cultural, organizational, government, and environmental factors, as well as economic, corporate governance, and intelligence, were identified as influential factors in ethical decisionmaking. To validate the proposed model, 420 financial managers or financial, accounting, and auditing experts were randomly selected in 2021, and 420 questionnaires were distributed. Finally, 403 questionnaires were used in subsequent analyses. The prioritization of ethical indicators was performed using hierarchical, best-worst, and grey methods. In all prioritization methods, the most important factor was the government and legal environment component. Another notable point was the intelligence component, which was considered the least important according to the experts' opinions. After the government and legal environment component, the other most important component was the economic factor. The other components obtained different levels of importance in various prioritization methods.

The aim of this paper is to analyse one of the principal problems in primary health care management: the evaluation of efficiency in primary health care centres. Given the special characteristics of measuring outcome in primary care it is necessary to evaluate the performance of centres from a quality perspective too. The methodology used, DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis), allows us to introduce quantitative and qualitative variables in a sample of primary care centres in a Spanish province. Once the efficiency of the different centres is known, we investigate the sensitivity of the methodology to changes in the definition of outputs used.

- by Olga Urbina
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- Business, Primary Care, Primary Health Care, Data Envelopment Analysis

Objective: This research aims to examine the various factors and elements that influence the cognitive dissonance experienced by auditors in their roles and responsibilities, and to propose a model for the development of responsible auditors in Iran. Methods: This study was conducted using a mixed-method approach for analysis. In the qualitative phase, grounded theory was used, while in the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to assess the validity of the conceptual model. Furthermore, this research was carried out during the years 2021 and 2022. The study's statistical population included expert professors, members of the Iranian Association of Certified Public Accountants, senior managers of the Audit Organization, partners of audit firms, tax auditors, judicial experts, financial analysts, and senior managers of creditor organizations. For this purpose, 35 semi-structured interviews were done with the participants based on a composite purposeful sampling technique. Results: The results showed that factors affecting the cognitive dissonance of auditors' responsibilities include irrational expectations and knowledge gap of users (0.394), the unfavorable performance of auditors (0.467), and underlying factors. The latter included a wide range of users (0.270), and a lack of sufficient surveillance over auditors' performance (0.492). Moreover, strategies for convergence between the expectations of auditors and financial reports' users obtained a value of 0.538. In contrast, the value of 0.468 was measured for constant monitoring of professional associations and surveillance institutes over the performance of auditors. Conclusion: According to the achieved results, enforcement power does not exist to reduce negligence and malpractice of auditors and observe the professional conduct act. Moreover, educational centers and universities do not perform effectively to achieve intellectual and academic progress in audit and accounting, so there is a considerable gap between education and practice in accounting. Continuous surveillance over adherence to professional conduct acts by auditors is the main request of financial statement users. Hence, the standard's tone must be changed to increase social interest, help make decisions, and provide information to anticipate coming events and the standard must be formulated based on the environmental conditions and stakeholders' expectations. The establishment of professional associations overseeing the quality of auditing institutions' performance should involve comprehensive software systems, and evaluations conducted by peers should take into account audit quality indicators when ranking these institutions. The novelty of this current study lies in its unique approach of combining qualitative analysis with empirical testing to identify the factors influencing cognitive dissonance among auditors in their roles and to introduce a model for the development of responsible auditors in Iran. This study provides some strategies to match the expectations of financial statements' users and auditors. It can also help professional associations and audit legislators to create expectations convergence.

- by Accounting and Auditing Review
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- Cognitive Dissonance

Now in auditing, expectation gap is considered the major challenge of this profession. Despite several efforts made by this profession in order to reduce this gap, but research show that this gap severely exists. Continuation of this issue can to declining of the role, importance and position of this profession, which bring crisis, legal problems, and moral challenges. In this research, we evaluate the effects of language vividness in audit report to reducing the audit expectation gap. Audit report is the main medium of communication between auditors and their addressees, there fore, audit profession pays more attention to it. To define the language vividness in audit report, we use recent findings of linguistics, psychology and audit profession. In this research, we used the experimental method by the application of a designed web–based software Results, deliberately supported the effects of enhancing language vividness in audit report to reducing audit expectation gap. It seems th...

- by Sasan Mehrani
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The concept of public accountability promotes the need for a comprehensive set of performance-related information to satisfy the information needs of a diverse stakeholder interest group. However, literature concerned with the scope of information to be disclosed, and in particular within the context of a developing country, is limited. This paper identifies the information set which stakeholders of Malaysian local authorities consider relevant in the monitoring and assessment of local authority performance. Stakeholders indicated strong interest in performance information that is not traditionally disclosed in the financial statements: non-financial information particularly performance measurement of outputs, outcomes, efficiency and effectiveness. Disclosures in the Statement of Revenue and Expenditure and forward-looking information are generally regarded as the most important disclosures. The results of the study also indicate differences amongst stakeholders as to the level of importance that they place on certain items especially items related to internal policies and governance and financial position of the local authorities. The findings will be of significance to policy makers interested in improving the performance reporting of Malaysian public sector entities, particularly local authorities.

- by Stuart Tooley
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- Business, Economics, Accounting, Accountability
- by Lennart Nørreklit
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- Political Science, Ideology, Danish

This paper is an empirical study of evaluation practices of electronic resources in university libraries in South East Nigeria. The study determines the criteria considered in evaluating electronic resources, the adequacy of use of the electronic resources and the extent of use of the electronic resources by university libraries in South East Nigeria. It employed a descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 2595 respondents consisting of 2509 postgraduate users and 86 librarians in collection development, serials and digital library (elibrary). A 10% proportionate sampling technique was used to select a sample of 251 user respondents while all the 86 librarians working in collection development, serials and digital library units (e-library) were used. The survey used questionnaire and interview as instruments of data collection. Data collected were tabulated and analyzed using simple statistics (mean). The result revealed the criteria used by the libraries under stud...

Schools today are entrusted with the duty of managing their funds in such a way that that the educational outcomes of the primary beneficiaries of these funds are maximised. This places more responsibility on the school governing bodies as the legal custodians of these funds, at local level, which need to be used economically, effectively and efficiently. To achieve this, school governing bodies need capacity in the form of appropriate skills and knowledge needed to connect school funding to educational outcomes. This study focuses on how capacity building for school governing body can contribute to value for money in school financial management. It sought to examine possible impediments to effective financial management, which result from the existing gaps in the current capacity building programmes and the financial management frameworks and procedures relating to school financial management. A qualitative research methodology involving in-depth interviews with members of governing bodies and Circuit officials was followed to examine the problem and possible improvement strategies. Themes that emerged from the data include, comprehensiveness, duration and frequency of the training programme, competency of training facilitators, monitoring, assessment and evaluation and other follow-up modalities, presentation style of the training facilitators, internal records and audited financial statements, the involvement of senior officials in school financial management, and the effectiveness of financial management. Findings suggested that, training of SGBs in financial management is inadequate, training facilitators lack requisite skills, the duration of the training for SGBs is short, the training programme is not provided frequently, the training programme's presentation style is ineffective, mismatch between internal records and audited financial statements, lack of support and monitoring by circuit officials in the schools' financial management, questionable conduct of external auditors, and ineffective cluster approach by SGBs.

- by Ntate ET Mmako
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- Business, Finance, Financial management, Empowerment

In our country, during the last few decades, proposals have been made to improve the system of urban management in order to overcome fragmentation and achieve integrated management, but none of them have been implemented. Despite various debates, especially by politicians and executives, which have been done by using the terms such as coordinated urban management, integrated urban management and monistic urban management, clarity of them and organizational structures necessary for their realization are not provided. The main subject and purpose of this article is to examine the structures of coordination and inter-organizational integration and to evaluate the overall appropriate structures for achieving integration in the country's urban management. This evaluation has been done by designing the features of several structures and explaining the appropriateness of each of them with the existing context of Iran’s urban management. In this article, and with a deductive method, it is claimed that the structure or model of the “lead organization” is suitable for the transition to integrated urban management in the country. It seems that the structure of coordination among the organizations, which is called the “Lead Organization”, is most in line with the political and administrative structure of the country's urban management system. In this structure, the council and the municipality take the leadership and directing all the responsible institutions and organizations in the management of cities. The results of this study show that the municipality (council and city manager) in Iran, for various reasons such as being multi-functional, placed-based, democratic and elective institution, more than other public and governmental institutions have the most competence to assume the role of the lead organization in resources and organizations coordination of the city. It is possible and practical to undertake such a mission to achieve greater coordination in the management of cities, even without transferring more tasks to them, which has always faced resistance from public service organizations. Several arguments were put forward to justify the lead organization as a proper and preferred model of coordination and integration, the most important of which is the ability to implement it with less organizational change and at the same time more effectiveness than other studied models. This proposal can be justified by relying on the intrinsic values of local governments on the one hand and their functional advantages, in comparison with other institutions and actors influential in urban management, on the other hand. Values such as democracy and public participation, efficiency and local autonomy, which can be achieved by empowering municipalities as the main institution of urban management, and other functional advantages that balance the leadership of the urban management system, in competition with other existing institutions, in favor of municipalities. These advantages are multi-functionality of municipalities, their place-baseness, responsibility of municipalities along with the state institution in providing public goods and perceptions and public opinion, which holds the municipality responsible for improving the quality of urban life and achieving important cross-cutting goals.

This study measures the disclosure of non-financial information from NGO websites in Malaysia. This pilot study obtains empirical evidence through content analysis of 40 NGO websites to determine the extent to which information disclosure is carried out. Descriptive content analysis (score) is used in the inferential component of data analysis. The study results show that NGOs in Malaysia are weak in disclosing non-financial information such as customer satisfaction and complaints. This study provides empirical evidence on the importance of external audit formation for better information disclosure.

- by DR NURUL HIDAYANA MOHD NOOR
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- Business, Accounting, Accountability, Audit

The need to plan, control and report on the performance of public sector organisations has been a central theme in many UK government initiatives in the last two decades. The Financial Management Initiative of 1982 called for managers at all levels in central government to have: a clear view of their objectives, and means to assess, and wherever possible measure, outputs or performance in relation to these objectives (HM Government 1982, p. 5). Similar ideas are included in the Next Steps Initiative (Efficiency Unit, 1988), the Citizen's Charter (HM Government, 1991) and developments in education and health care. It has been suggested that the genesis of this focus can be traced back to the Fulton Report of 1968 (see Carter et al., 1992). This need to measure performance now pervades almost all public sector management and accounting systems, and is seen as an important facet of New Public Management (NPM). 1 Two key reasons advanced for measuring performance are, firstly, that it provides essential information to improve management within the public sector and, secondly, that it can form the basis for discharging accountability by the public sector. As Carter et al. state, the development of performance measurement systems has been: driven by three sets of linked preoccupations: the control of public expenditure, managerial competence and greater accountability (1992, p. 180). This paper focuses on the second and third of these dimensions. The particular facet of this drive for`managerial competence' and`greater accountability' which is examined, is the role of quantification (specifically target setting) in these new-style management processes which were introduced to replace the former emphasis on administration. By considering a conventional planning and control paradigm, and an objectives-plantargets-monitor-control approach (which underpins this paradigm), the

- by robert anderson
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- Business, Public sector, Bureaucracy, Public Administration and Policy

This research reviews the manner in which accountability may be better constructed in the Charities Sector with detailed stakeholder analysis. This combines the adoption of Hayes' (1996) four types of accountability by charities with a hegemonic application of the Mitchell, Agle, and Wood (1997) model of stakeholder salience. In applying these tools to a particular transgression event, it is demonstrated that the lower salience of beneficiaries of a charitable activity in crisis is due to their lack of coercive power through a lack of knowledge. This study illustrates the dynamic, myriad and heterogeneous nature of stakeholders in the notforprofit sector.

- by Carolyn Cordery
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- Accountability, Political Science, Hegemony, Social Science Research Network

This study examined the effect of ethical thoughts in accounting on accounting practice in Nigeria. To achieve this objective, data were collected from primary sources through a well-structured questionnaire of four sections of twenty questions administered to a sample of one hundred and sixty one (161) out of which one hundred and forty eight (148) were completed and returned. The questionnaires were administered to the registered members of the ICAN District Society in Calabar, Nigeria and data generated from the questionnaires were analysed using IBM SPSS V.20. The results revealed a significantly negative relationship between ethical thoughts and the accounting practices of corporate organizations in Nigeria. On the basis of the findings, the study recommended the following among others: Professional accountants as custodians and producers of accounting information should adhere to the codes of professional best practices issued by relevant professional bodies. Each organization in Nigeria should establish ethics departments to ensure that activities are in line with the codes of ethics, including the financial reporting process. The composition of the Board of Directors and Audit Committees should be made up of people with corporate experience, proven integrity and financial expertise. Greater efforts should be made by the relevant professional bodies to review their various ethical codes guiding members' conduct or behaviour in practice and widespread enlightenment coupled with stiffer penalties for professional misconduct could also be a way out.

- by William Smart
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- Psychology, Accounting, Sustainability Management, Public sector accounting

This paper examines the use of service-wide-vote (Nigeria's contingency budget) for national development. Documentary pieces of evidence have shown that the Federal government of Nigeria through its MDAs has grossly short-changed Nigerians through the year-in-year-out mismanagement of the service-wide-vote. The objective of this study is therefore, to evaluate the extent to which Federal MDAs in Nigeria have been able to use the servicewide-vote to achieve national developmental objectives. To what extent has the service-wide-vote been used to develop the Nigerian Nation? In order to provide an answer to the foregoing question, primary sources, scholarly journals and reputable online and library sources were used to obtain research materials. The study revealed that federal MDAs and even the EFCC abused the service-wide-vote to the tune of over N4.17 trillion between 2004 and 2018 due to non-compliance with rules governing the use of the vote and this made it difficult for the national developmental objectives of the vote to be achieved. The following recommendations were therefore, suggested by the paper: allocation of 5 percent of the annual budget to service-wide-vote, regular replenishment of releases from the service-wide-vote, obtaining approval from the National Assembly before releasing funds from the vote, roll over of unspent funds, prosecution of corrupt MDA officials and avoiding those sharp practices that will make the use of the service-wide-vote ineffective in achieving national developmental objectives.

- by William Smart
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- Business, Management, Finance, Accounting

The process involved in the management of waqf properties .

- by Gloria Agyemang
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- Public Administration, Accountability, Political Science, Malaysia

In this research, operational budgeting was investigated in the form of four groups of contextual factors, structural factors, human factors and other factors on operational and research budgeting with analytical model, balanced evaluation method. The statistical population of this study is all executive bodies subject to Article (5) of the Civil Service Management Law. Data were obtained using 182 questionnaires and analyzed using structural equation method and Smart PLS software. In this model, the balanced evaluation method was adapted to the threepart cycle of performance management and a three-part model of performance management, based on balanced measurement, is obtained. The results showed that the identified structures in operational budgeting have a positive and significant effect on the performance of executive agencies. The structures of “structural factors”, “human factors” and “other factors affecting the implementation of operational budgeting (including personality, acceptance and ability)” have a positive and significant effect on performance, but the structure of “underlying factors” has a significant effect. It does not affect the performance of executive agencies.

- by Mohammad Namazi and +2
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- Balanced Scorecard, Budgeting

This study focused on oversight functions mechanism of Cross River State legislature on public funds. Sample size of 900 was adopted for the purpose of the study. Stratified random sampling was used in the study. Stratification was done on the basis of geopolitical zone, political party affiliation and educational status of the respondents. 900 political party members evenly distributed (300 apiece) among the three leading political parties in the last general elections were used as respondents for the purpose of the study. Each respondent has at least an SSCE/WASC educational qualification. 300 respondents were interviewed in each of the geopolitical zones (i.e. South, Central and North). Two hypotheses were tested. Results showed that the political class themselves perceive the Cross River Legislature as not carrying out its oversight function over the state's Fund Appropriation and usage significantly.

- by Emmanuel Michael Akpan
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- Economics, Geopolitics, Politics, Appropriation

This study aims to determine items with Islamic elements to develop an Islamic social enterprise management index (ISEMI). An Islamic social enterprise (ISE) works by managing operations within the principles of shari‘ah to redistribute wealth and reduce poverty which is supported by a similar study by Indah and Hakim (2023). The design and method for this study involved three phases of analysis which are 1) general descriptive analysis, 2) validity and reliability analysis, and 3) data analysis phase of the study. In all, 40 items with Islamic traits were identified and analyzed. Three identifiable themes emerged, which were then labeled as: 1) God; 2) humanity, and 3) nature. Because of the limited sample size, the data offers results that are likely suggestive rather than conclusive. The study offers a practical single-figure-summary indicator to measure and evaluate ISEs and has the potential as a guideline for Muslim entrepreneurs to build favorable relationships with ISE management. The novelty of the ISEMI is in its unique construction of items embedded with Islamic factors. It could thus assist in the management of ISE to ensure they fulfill the principles of the shari‘ah (Islamic law) and stakeholders‘ expectations.

- by Iqmal Hisham Kamaruddin
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- Reporting, Indexing, Islamic Social Enterprise (ISE)

Background and Purpose: The educational system to prevent administrative and educational corruption needs research in this field. But researchers have done few researches in the field of corruption in higher education. Therefore, the aim of the current research is to provide a comprehensive model of effective factors in preventing administrative corruption in the country's educational institutions. Method: of this research is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of combined-exploratory method. The statistical population in the qualitative department of experts and administrators of Tehran state universities and the sample is 32 experts from the mentioned universities who were selected by the snowball method. The statistical population in the quantitative part was 13,279 employees of the same universities and the sample in the quantitative part was 373 people using Cochran's formula and was determined by the random classification method. The tool for collecting data in the qualitative part is interviews with experts and in the quantitative part, a researcher-made questionnaire. To check the reliability of the measurement model, factor loading coefficients, Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability were used. Also, average variance extracted (AVE) was used for the validity of the underlying variables. The preliminary questionnaire was modified by 32 experts and its formal and content validity and reliability were confirmed. To analyze the data in the qualitative part, metacomposition was used and in the quantitative part, fuzzy Delphi, Dimtel, MICMAC analysis and structural equations were used. Findings: Effective factors in preventing corruption by prioritizing organizational, managerial, political, judicial, individual and cultural factors are effective in preventing administrative corruption in universities. Conclusion: Educational institutions can prevent administrative and educational corruption in the form of the proposed model by identifying the components of individual, organizational, managerial, cultural, political, legal, clarification and cultural factors.

Background and purpose: Internal audit has provided the basis of correct governance and accountability. An effective internal audit can support the organization in achieving its goals. The purpose of this research is to identify and rank the factors affecting the effectiveness of internal audit and supervision in the public sector of Iran. Method: This research is qualitative and has an applied purpose. The statistical population of the research includes two groups, 16 people from the accounting and auditing field of the public sector in a targeted manner and in the second stage, 165 experts were selected in an available and targeted way. The tools of data collection are interviews and questionnaires, and the foundational data method was used to analyze the qualitative data. Fuzzy Hierarchy Analysis (AHP) method was used to rank the dimensions and components. Findings: After reviewing and studying authoritative scientific texts and databases and based on interviews with experts and data analysis, the research results showed that the factors of mechanisms and consulting processes with a weight of 39%, evaluation of internal controls with a weight of 27%, internal audit and Results reporting with a weight of 20%, responsibility for accountability with a weight of 9%, and financial reporting and assurance of processes and operations with a weight of 5% have had the greatest and least impact on the effectiveness of internal audit and supervision in the public sector of our country, respectively. Conclusion: Internal auditing plays an important role in improving the risk management process, increasing the internal control system, and the satisfaction of people and regulatory bodies in government organizations by providing advice.

- by Supervision and Inspection Journal and +1
- •
- Effectiveness of Internal Auditing

Background and Aim: Environmental auditing has become an important tool for maintaining and achieving environmental pollution control standards. Lack of a model for environmental compliance auditing in order to inspection of the Supreme Audit Court of Iran over the executive organs is one of the challenges of not implementing the environmental compliance auditing; therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide an audit model for environmental compliance in order to inspect the executive organs. Method: In this study, first, the initial indicators were identified based on the study of research literature and statistical method of qualitative content analysis. Then, in the fall of 2021, by interviewing 35 auditors of the Iran's Supreme Audit Court as experts, who were selected by the snowball judgment method and by the Delphi statistical method the initial indicators were identified and finalized. Then, using a modern questionnaire and modern analytical methodology, structural-interpretive modeling and by MATLAB and Excel softwares, the relationships of the indicators were determined, analyzed and ISM graph were drawn. Finally, using MICMAC analysis, the influence power and dependence of the identified indicators were evaluated and the final pattern was drawn. Validity in content and reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated. Findings: The environmental compliance audit model for inspecting the executive organs of Iran has indicators for national laws and regulations, transnational laws and regulations, international agreements, contracts, policies and guidelines. Conclusion: Indices of national and transnational laws and regulations with high influence and low dependence are independent and effective indicators in the model. Indices of policies with high power of influence and dependence as a link index, and indicators of international agreements and contracts with low power of influence and high dependence as dependent indicators have the least impact on the model.

- by Supervision and Inspection Journal
- •
- Supervision

This study aims to propose a model of shariah governance for Islamic Non-Governmental Organizations. It will define the true concept of shariah governance from a holistic worldview, then to elucidate its theoretical framework for Islamic Non-Governmental Organizations. The issue of defining shariah governance has received a massive amount of attention since the turn of the 20th century. Initially, the governance principles have been practised by most organisations all around the world at all levels. However, there is a great diversity between the principles of governance applied in most Western-led institutions with the principles of shariah governance. This leads to the discussion on revisiting the concept of governance from a shariah perspective. The study utilises the grounded theory, which is a qualitative approach that generates theory from observation. In addition, data collection is also supported through a semi-structured interview method and focused group discussions. The d...

- by NADHIRAH NORDIN
- •
- Corporate Governance, Political Science, Islam

PurposeThis paper aims to examine stakeholders’ expectations of accountability in non-profit organisations (NPOs) in general, and State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) in particular.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was used to collect data, which was then analysed descriptively. Furthermore, the differences between stakeholder groups were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests.FindingsThe findings indicate that NPOs generally and SIRCs specifically need to clarify the meaning of accountability to meet the expectations of their stakeholders, especially the public, and to address accountability inquiries.Research limitations/implicationsThe research method was a limitation of this study. The data was collected using a survey. Generally, surveys contain restricted numbers and types of questions that the authors have outlined. Consequently, respondents might be constrained in their choice of how they perceive accountability. So, surveys used to collect r...

- by ROSNIA MASRUKI
- •
- Accountability, Public Relations, Stakeholder

The purpose of this study is to design a model to determine the effective factors in the occurrence of corruption and to investigate the role of organizational oversight and transparency in its prevention. The research is applied in terms of purpose, method and method. The statistical population in the qualitative section of 16 experts are aware. Section data were obtained through interviewing, identification, and the Delphi method. In the quantitative part of the statistical population, 4700 people working in the Social Security Organization are in the branches and medical centers of Tehran and Tehran province. 355 samples were selected using Cochran's method and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations were used to analyze the data.
During the identification process, 134 initial concepts and after the Delphi method, 90 indicators were extracted in two axes. Then, the initial model of the research design was evaluated and confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis methods and structural equations. Interpretation of the results of path analysis shows that the organizational factor has the greatest impact on corruption. Environmental factor has the second rank and individual factor has the third place in the spread of corruption in this research. Indicators of weak supervision, weak risk of crime detection, collusion and superiority of individual interests over public interests, distance from spirituality (extreme materialism and luxury) are among the factors that play a major role in corruption. Periodic and random monitoring and inspections can increase the risk of crime detection in organizations and make the organizational environment unsafe for any violations and corruption. And corruption was curbed.

- by Supervision and Inspection Journal
- •
- Corruption

- by William Inyang
- •
- Business, Management, Finance, Accounting

The excess of actual imprest expenditures over the overhead cost budgets of Cross River State Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies has not been given the attention it deserves despite the high frequency of its occurrence. More emphasis seems to be placed on the effects of the overall government budget on the actual general expenditure at the neglect of the effects which overhead cost budgets of MDAs have on imprest expenditures in the State. This study was therefore, carried out to fill this gap. Primary and secondary data were collected using questionnaires and office records respectively. Five hypotheses were formulated and tested by specifically applying inferential and parametric statistics to the primary data. The secondary data were specifically used to provide evidence for the identified research problem. The study revealed that overhead cost budgets, special imprests and additional imprests were ineffectively used. Secondly, even though previous studies showed that financial malpractices and poor budget monitoring were strongly associated with extra-budgetary expenditures in the 3 tiers of governments in Nigeria, the current study indicated that these two variables have little or no association and weak association respectively with extra-budgetary imprest expenditures in Cross River State MDAs. Inaccuracies in the overhead cost budgeting system were strongly associated with the extra-budgetary imprest expenditures. The study therefore, recommended that efficient and effective overhead cost budgeting system and regular budget review be put in place.

- by William Inyang
- •
- Business, Economics, Accounting, Social Science Research Network

- by Supervision and Inspection Journal
- •

Sustainability of Waqf institutions for poverty alleviation depends directly or indirectly on the donations received from the donors and the awareness of the society. This conceptual paper is an attempt to construct a model of stakeholder trust that could provide valuable insight on the issues that should be focused by the regulators, the mutawallis and the waqifs for ensuring a sustainability of waqf Institutions. The Modified Key Mediating Variable (MKMV) Model proposed in the paper includes a total number of eight variables. Commitment-trust theory is combined with Islamic Accountability and Stewardship theory toward shaping three conceptual models of trust into a much-needed unified model for exploring trust in the context of waqf institutions. Stakeholder trust is positioned as a mediator between independent (board benevolence, board ability, board integrity, board opportunism, communication and accountability) and the dependent variable (stakeholder commitment). Empirical results to support the model could not be provided due to the conceptual nature of the paper. The model can provide direction for reform towards sustainability of waqf institutions. The model is general enough that it can also be used for other conventional and non-profit religious organisations.

- by Rtr Rashedul Hasan
- •
- Business, Accountability, Stakeholder Theory, Social Science Research Network

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of public sector research in the 1998–2018 period. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses the extant literature of this era to study the theorisation of, and the findings of, public sector research. Findings This is a vibrant field of a study in a wide range of study settings and with many interdisciplinary studies. The influence of new public management is pervasive over this period. There are numerous instances of innovations in study settings, in key findings and the approach taken by investigators. Research limitations/implications This is not a comprehensive review of all literature in this period. Practical implications This study also explored the relevance of academic research of this era to policymaking by governments. Originality/value This paper offers a distinctive critique of theorisation of public sector accounting research. It reveals the dominant theoretical reference points in use during this period a...

- by Peter B Miller
- •
- Political Science, Public sector, Philosophy of Religious Pluralism, Originality

A HISTORY OF REGULATION IN THE UK: THE COVERT REVIEW The UK government began a programme of privatisation in the early 1980s. Ogden and Anderson (1995) contend that it has been one of the most important and controversial government policies of recent times. Privatisation was an integral part of the enterprise culture (Keat and Abercrombie, 1991), which was championed by the successive Conservative Governments (1979^1997). The element of this policy which attracted most attention has been the privatisation of the utilities: industries which are considered to contain elements which are natural monopolies. Due to the monopolistic structure of the utility industries on privatisation regulation was required to protect other stakeholder groups, most notably consumers, from monopolistic abuses. Price-cap regulation, which is now commonly recognised by the formula RPI^X, was preferred as it was felt to give the strongest efficiency motives (Beesley and Littlechild, 1983). This regulation was not intended as a longterm solution, but rather to`hold the fort' until competition arrives, and was considered inappropriate if competition was not expected in the industry. This point appears to have been ignored in the Water Industry. This method of regulation sets the privatised company a target price movement for it's goods and services over a specified future period (normally five years in the UK), thereby introducing a regulatory lag. The incentive then to the companies is to improve efficiency by more than is implied in the price-cap formula and hence improve profits. Helm (1994) suggests that the regulatory lag is the key distinguishing feature to this form of regulation. It must be sufficient for the privatised companies to be able to make efficiency gains. Vickers and Yarrow (1988) argue that this lag allows the firm to appropriate the benefits of improved cost efficiency until the next review occurs but that this is offset by the desire to influence the forthcoming review. This is because the level of costs at the time of a review is anticipated to be directly related to the prices the firm will be allowed to charge in the next period. Assuming companies

- by David Crowther
- •
- Economics, Privatisation, Semiology, Financial Accountability

This study examines the factors influencing accountability practices in funds management of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Yemen. A total of 75 local NGOs operate in Yemen, receiving local and foreign funding. A structured online questionnaire was employed for data collection. This study found that accountability was not widely practiced among the NGOs in Yemen. The level of accountability practices of these NGOs was significantly influenced by funding competition and perceived motive. The results of the study offer important implications for both policymakers and NGOs. The relevant regulatory bodies must formulate policies to enhance the NGOs’ accountability for improved efficiency and transparency. The NGOs, on the other hand, are expected to be transparent in ensuring the resources are well managed, and services are delivered efficiently and effectively to the recipients.

- by zaini zainol
- •
- Business, Accountability
- by N. Hyndman
- •
- Business, Economics, Accounting, Accountability

- Religious organizations play an important role in delivering social services in society and tend to control a sizeable proportion of human, financial and other resources of society (Berger, 2003). However, various financial scandals and lawsuits involving them have raised questions regarding the governance and accountability of these organizations (Siino, 2004; Hamilton, 2006). As such, the insights from the literature on the issues of accounting and accountability in the religious-based organizations, especially the Islamic religious organisations are discussed. In so doing, the nature of religious-based organizations, and the practices of philanthropic institutions in an Islamic context are examined. In addition, the scale of accountability in and insights from previous researches on accounting and accountability practices of religious-based organizations are presented in this paper.

- by Hasan Basri
- •
- Accounting, Accountability, Corporate Governance, Political Science

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- by Brendan O'Dwyer
- •
- Sociology, Focus Groups, Critical Reflection, Business and Management

- by DR. MAHAZRIL 'AINI YAACOB
- •
- Business, Accounting, Accountability, Audit

Organizational culture the evaluation of which by the board of directors is a very difficult job, is considered as a soft issue in organizations. Internal audit is a unique function within an organization, which with independence and access to individual's information and evidence may ensure the board of directors that there is a strong commitment to good conduct and it actually becomes a daily behavior in the organization and more importantly, actions taken to change culture and behaviors are effective and that the tone at the top is reflected at all levels. This study is aimed to investigate audit capabilities and challenges of organizational culture in Iran and the role of internal auditors in the promotion of organizational culture. This study is a survey research and the research data are collected by means of questionnaire that is designed based on the McKinsey 7s questions. The sample consists of 123 internal auditors. The results show that organizational culture is not c...

- by Ali Rahmani
- •

The objective of the study is to explore and examine the forms and means employed by one zakat institution in Malaysia in discharging its accountability to the stakeholders. Case study approach was used in the study involving the use of both of primary and secondary data. The primary data was gathered via the face to face in-depth interviews that were conducted with the representatives of the zakat institution. The secondary data was gathered from different sources such as the zakat collection and distributions reports of the zakat institution. The interview data was analysed using a manual coding and the secondary data was content analysed using a thematic analysis. The study finds that the zakat institution studied has been discharging two categories of accountability that are financial or formal and social or informal form of accountability. The financial/formal form of accountability has been discharged mainly via the zakat collection and distribution reports. Meanwhile, it is o...

- by NORAZITA MARINA ABDUL AZIZ
- •
- Business, Supply Chain Management, Accountability, Thematic Analysis

Canada has had a strong tradition of using state-owned enterprises for economic development. 'Crown corporations', as State-owned enterprises are known in Canada, were created with a built-in autonomy for their commercial activities on the condition that they also fulfil policy objectives. Of late, however, policy objectives have been articulated more through regulations and governance models and are issued far more from central agencies such as the Treasury Board Secretariat than from the 'home department' of the agency. This article explores the evolution of the use of Crowns from the glory days of their formation to the privatization era of the 1980s and 1990s to the modern day. It examines how governance and control mechanisms have replaced policy directives. The picture given of the Canadian experience could be relevant for the coming years when these enterprises become more international and thus challenge the present arrangement.

- by luc bernier
- •
- Political Science, Applied Economics