ABSTRACT
The Nigerian public sectors like their counterparts in the private sector have
neglected fundamental principles that should be adhered to in ensuring accountability
and transparency in their various sectors. This research work is aimed at looking at the
various ways in which the Accounting officers: - Chief Executives, Accountants, Auditors
and in fact the Financial controllers in our country help to enhance financial
accountability and transparency in the public sector. A framework for understanding the
relationships between the major financial administrators and their subordinates in Public
sector financial accountability and transparency was established. A questionnaire,
interviews and research methodology was adopted for this research. Each question was
examined as a whole to obtain an understanding of the opinions and perspectives of the
respondents from each individual, organization as to what are considered to be the
important factors in this study. Then, chi-square was used to test the five hypothesis
propounded.
The results suggested avenues of enhancing financial accountability and
Transparency in the public sector. The major findings from the survey are: (1) Public
Financial Managers do not enhance the implementation of financial accountability and
transparency in the Nigerian public sector. (2) Financial accountability and
transparency is not yet improved in the Nigerian public sector and. (3) Public financial
managers do not adhere to the laid down rules for the management of accountability and
transparency in the Nigerian public sector. Finally the research concluded with the
following major recommendations: The Nigerian value system must be changed so as to
stamp out dishonesty and the use of double standard in handling government matters and
that Regular workshops, seminars and trainings should be organized on regular basis for
those public accountants who rose through the ranks. This will make them fit into the
accounting duties properly.
