THE CHALLENGES OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES IN NIGERIA PRIVATE SECTOR WITH RESPECT TO FINANCIAL FAILURES IN RECENT TIMES

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine the challenges of professional accounting practices in Nigeria private sector with respect to financial failures in recent times. Survey technique was used and a total sample of one hundred and twenty questionnaires were sampled, purposive sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) auditors, accountants, financial managers/directors and other management staff forms the bulk of the entire respondents. Descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency distribution and percentages response analysis were used to analyze data. Results however, revealed that majority are of the opinion that there is yet a level of quality in the financial reports as pertaining to the private sector. It also indicates that the business environment does not permit accountants independence overall. It therefore established the fact that the private sector has not been up to the task of meeting the user’s expectation in their financial reports. It thus implies that accountants are party to inadequacies of financial statements in the private sector. It thus implies that professional accounting practices are yet relevant in the financial reports of the private sector. It thus implies that professional accounting practices are identified with certain deficiency that affects disclosure in corporate organizations. This confirmed the depth of corruption and inefficiency in fund management of the private sector. This indicates that the reason for the shortfall in financial reporting is non conformity with professional accounting practices. This indicates that the accountants also contribute to the increasing financial failures of the private sector. This implies that the business environment of the private sector have an influence on the accountants. This confirms the extent at which these qualities reflect in private sector financial reporting. Based on these findings, it was recommended that emphasis on conformity with professional accounting practices. Also, to combat unethical practices by accountants and professional firms, there is a need to educate company executives, policy-makers and the public about the human costs of anti-social and unprofessional practices, as they deprive ordinary Nigerian citizens of their human and social rights and the accounting profession in Nigeria must therefore continue to monitor development in the external and internal reporting environments through its audit, investigations and forensic accounting faculty and respond adequately.