Abstract:
The roles of external auditors have been under the spotlight due to the strategic positions they
occupy to ensure accountability by public sector managers. This study examines the role of
external auditors in the financial accountability and transparency regime of the Ghanaian local
governance structure. The study analyzed the effectiveness of the external audit engagement, the
quality of delivery, and the quality of people and service regarding financial accountability and
transparency at the Local Government Organizations. A quantitative approach was used in the form
of questionnaires to collect data. A purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of
respondents. A sample size of fifty (50) respondents was selected from the Effutu Municipal
Assembly comprising management, senior, and junior staff. SPSS was used in the data analysis and
the results were presented in tables. From the findings, it was observed that management support
the existence of adequate and competent internal audit staff, and approved external audit standards
the activities of the Municipal were statistically significant and positively related to the external
audit effectiveness to ensure financial accountability and transparency at the Effutu Municipal
Assembly. The study recommends that the scope of the internal audit functions should be given a
high status in the assembly to avoid manipulation by management. The internal Chief Auditors of
the various assemblies should be in high positions as the Finance Officers, this will the internal
auditors to operate with a high level of autonomy in their delivery. xiThe scope of the external
audit should also include performance auditing and the auditing team should be rotated preferably
every year to enhance the independence of the external auditors. There should be in-service
training and workshops regularly for both the internal and external auditors to update them on the
current trends of the Auditing profession to enhance their competence and knowledge in the
profession.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of Accounting, School of Business,
submitted to the school of
Graduate Studies in the partial fulfillment
of the requirement for the Award of the degree of
Master of Business Administration
(Accounting Option)
in the University of Education, Winneba
DECEMBER,2022
