Auditors’ Independence and Accountability of Federal Higher Institutions in Ogun State

Abstract

This research work examined the effect of auditors’ independence on the accountability of Federal Higher Institutions in Ogun State. It determined the implication of audit fees on the accountability of Federal higher Institutions. Since the nature of the auditors’ work requires them to be independent of any party, the study ascertained the influence of tenure of audit firm on the accountability which by extension has provided informative and educative awareness on the understanding of auditors’ independence and the idea of accountability of Federal higher Institutions in Ogun State.

The research was carried out based on the survey design. The focused population of the study were the accounting staff of both Federal Higher Institutions in Ogun State and their audit firms which totalled one hundred and ninety-three (193). The sample size selected was one hundred and fifty staff (150) on the basis of systematic sampling technique. The systematic sampling technique was adopted because of the geographical location of the Institutions and their audit firms. The primary method of data collection was employed. The research instrument was the use of questionnaires which were administered to 150 respondents. Data collected from the primary source was analysed through the use of inferential and descriptive statistics. Chi-square was employed as the data analysis technique to analyse the questionnaires and the information was also represented by the use of the pie chart.

The results showed that the auditors’ independence significantly impacted on the accountability of Federal Higher Institutions in Ogun State (χ² = 59.867, sig. < 0.05). The results also revealed that the tenure of audit had significant effect on the accountability (χ² = 63.173, sig. < 0.05). Furthermore, the results revealed that the size of audit fees significantly influenced the accountability of Federal Higher Institutions in Ogun State (χ² = 35.262, sig. < 0.05).

In view of the aforementioned findings, the study concluded that the accountability of the Federal Higher Institutions in Ogun State is a function of the Independence of Auditors. So, it is recommended that the auditors must not, by any means, compromise their independence.

Keywords: Auditing, Accountability, Auditors, Financial statement, and Performance.