ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to ascertain the role of accountants and auditors in
checking distress in Nigeria banks. To achieve this objective, the following Nigerian
banks were used as study areas before their acquisition by more viable banks-
Intercontinental bank, Oceanic bank, Afribank and Bank PHB. Primary data were
collected by using validated questionnaires and secondary data collection was by
oral interviews and examination of some bank documents. Two hundred and fifty
questionnaires were distributed among staff of the aforementioned banks in Enugu
State and thereafter, two hundred and thirty-five of the returned questionnaires were
valid and were subsequently subjected to descriptive statistical analysis to ascertain
the roles and involvement of auditors in distress in Nigerian banks in line with the
elements of the questionnaires.
Analytical statistical tools such as means, standard
deviations and percentages were used for the analysis. Chi-square and Student ttest
were used as the major statistical tools for testing the hypotheses and
comparing mean values. Result of the study indicated that there were collusion
between accountants/auditors and management and there is aiding and abetting of
management by external auditors to commit fraud. It was also found that there is
gross negligence and improper performance on the jobs by accountant/auditors and
in some instances, accountants/auditors are gagged by management and directors.
Experience of accountants/auditors was also found to play a significant role in the
quality of report submitted.
The major conclusion of this study is that auditor’s reports presented for distressed
and failed banks fulfilled only the letter of the law. It is thus recommended that the
law should be amended to make auditors criminally liable for negligent performance
of duty in addition to the current civil liability.
