Federal Government Budget Implementation and Application of Forensic Accounting Techniques.
ABSTRACT
Public budgeting as a field of study has grown tremendously in recent years. Budgeting is one of the most important areas in policy making as it sets priorities within overall spending limit so as to influence the economy and enhance development. The issue of budget implementation has been a source of concern to the public considering its importance on economic growth.
The study therefore examined how application of Forensic accounting techniques can help in providing solutions to the problem of misappropriation, over budgeting, uncompleted projects, diversion of unutilized funds in Federal government budget implementation. A descriptive/survey design was adopted for the research. The elements of the population considered in this research were staff of Federal Ministries and Parastatals in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Sample representatives included: Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independence Corrupt Practices Commission, Federal Ministry of Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works and Nigerian Prison Services. A 20 item questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Tables ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
- Background to the Study 1
- Statement of the Problem 4
- Objectives of the Study 8
- Research Questions 8
- Hypotheses 9
- Rationale for the Hypotheses 9
- Significance of the Study 10
- Justification of the Study 11
- Scope and Delimitation of Study 12
- Operationalization of Variables 13
- Definition of Key Terms 14
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Conceptual Framework 16
2.1.1 Concept of Budgeting 16
2.1.2 Concept of Budgetary Procedure and Implementation in Nigeria 17
2.1.3 Concept of Forensic Accounting 21
2.1.4 Crimes in Implementation of Federal Government Projects 22
2.1.5 Evolution of Antigraft Agencies and their Functions 24
2.2 Theoretical Framework 27
2.2.1 Budgetary Theory 27
2.2.2 Theories of Forensic Accounting 29
2.3 Empirical Framework 33
2.3.1 Investigative and Auditing Support Services on Over Budgeting and 34
Appropriation
2.3.2 Investigative and Auditing Support Services on Misappropriation of 35
Budgetary Funds
2.3.3 Investigative and Auditing Support Services in Eradication Uncompleted 37
Projects despite full Disbursement
2.3.4 Litigation Support Services in Improving Efficiency of Anti-Graft 38
Agencies
2.3.5 Expert Witnessing in Eradicating Diversion of Unutilized Allocated Funds 39
2.4 Gaps in the Study 41
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design 44
3.2 Population 44
3.3 Sample Size 45
3.4 Sampling Technique 45
3.5 Method of Data Collection 46
3.6 Instrument for Data Collection 46
3.7 Administration of Research Instrument 47
3.8 Method of Data Analysis 47
3.9 Reliability and Validity of Research Instrument 47
3.10 Ethical Consideration 48
3.11 Model Specification 48
3.12 Apriori Expectation 50
3.13 Model Evaluation Technique and Test of Significance 50
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSES, RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents 51
4.1.1 Analysis of Respondents Profile 52
4.1.2 Analysis of Respondents Responses/Descriptive Analysis 55
4.2 Testing of Hypotheses 68
4.2.1 Test of Hypothesis (H01) 68
4.2.2 Test of Hypothesis (H02) 70
4.2.3 Test of Hypothesis (H03) 72
4.2.4 Test of Hypothesis (H04) 74
4.2.5 Test of Hypothesis (H05) 76
4.3 Test of Main Model 78
4.4 Discussion and Implication of Findings 80
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMEDATIONS
5.1 Summary 84
5.1.1 Summary of Findings 84
5.2 Conclusion 86
5.3 Recommendations 86
5.4 Limitation of the Study 87
5.5 Suggestion for Further Study 87
5.6 Contribution to Knowledge 88
References 89
Appendices 96
INTRODUCTION
Public budgeting as a field of study has grown tremendously in recent years and budgeting is one of the most important areas in policy making. Budget in the Public sector in Nigeria is a yearly affairs but with poor results as shown by various scholars. The issue of budget implementation according to Oke (2012) has long been a source of concern to the public when one considers its importance on economic growth and development in the nation.
However, he stressed further that budgeting has raised challenges in the area of preparation, administration, supervision, monitoring among others, due to change in policy and governance. Ekeocha (2012) opined that through budget, government indicates what to spend, determines what to borrow, and sets policy priorities within overall spending limit so as to influence the economy.
There are various definitions to the term budget but a few of these definitions are examined in this study. Samuel and Wilfred (2009) defined budget as a ‘comprehensive document that outlines what economic and non-economic activities a government wants to undertake with special focus on policies, objectives and strategies for accomplishment that are substantiated with revenue and expenditure projections’.
REFERENCES
Abdullahi, Y.S. (2011). Public Budget and Budgetary Control in Nigeria. Journal of Business and Organization Development. Cenresin Publications, Nasarawa, Volume 3, pp 21-24.
Abrams, J.H. (1982). The Limitations of Budget Analysis, The Government Accountant Journal (e-vision), Arlington Spring USA, P353.
Achua, J. K. (2009). Reinventing government accounting for accountability assurance in Nigeria. Nigeria Research Journal of Accounting, 1 (1), 1-16.
Agu S, Idike A, Okwor I and Ugwufa D. (2014). Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth in Nigeria. Journal of Business Economics and Management Studies, Vol 2, No.12
Ahmed, Y.A. (2010).Trend and Pattern of Urban Crime in Southwestern Nigeria, Unpublished
Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ilorin, Ilorin .Nigeria
Akanbi, M.M.A. (2001). The provisions of the ICPC Act 2000, Speech delivered during a World Press Conference, Abuja, September 6,
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