Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The role of accountants in organizations has evolved beyond traditional financial record-keeping to become pivotal in ensuring best practices related to accountability, probity, and transparency are upheld. This research aims to investigate the influence of accountants in the implementation of best practices within organizations. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data from a diverse sample of organizations across different industries. The quantitative surveys will assess the perceptions of accountants regarding their role in promoting accountability, probity, and transparency within their organizations. The qualitative interviews will provide in-depth insights into the strategies accountants employ to influence best practices and the challenges they face in doing so. Preliminary findings suggest that accountants play a significant role in driving organizational accountability by ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with regulations. They also contribute to probity by establishing and monitoring internal controls to prevent fraud and misconduct. Additionally, accountants promote transparency by providing stakeholders with clear and accurate financial information. However, the research also highlights challenges faced by accountants in fulfilling their role effectively. These include resistance from management to implement recommended best practices, lack of resources for implementing robust control systems, and inadequate support for promoting a culture of transparency within organizations. Overall, the study underscores the critical influence of accountants in upholding best practices related to accountability, probity, and transparency within organizations. By understanding the challenges they face and the strategies they employ, organizations can better support accountants in their role and enhance overall governance and ethical standards. The findings of this research have implications for organizations seeking to improve their governance frameworks and ethical practices. By recognizing the pivotal role of accountants in promoting best practices, organizations can leverage their expertise to enhance accountability, probity, and transparency, ultimately fostering trust with stakeholders and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:Corruption and looting of public treasury is a major problem in the public sector accounting. Report from office of statistics Lagos show that our accounting records are balanced in arrears and our financial records are hardly balanced daily, weekly, quarterly, half-yearly and yearly basis as appropriate. This was evidenced by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his first maiden address to the nation immediately he was sworn-in as the President of the federal republic of Nigeria on the 29th day of May 1999. He stressed that accountability, probity and transparency has suffered a lot set-back especially in the civil service. He therefore suggested that some of the best ways to eliminate this ill in the Nigerian public service are;The effective use of public accounts; The use of effective legislation;The effective implementation of government policies programs;The effective use of auditors of the federal republic of Nigeria among others.He therefore concluded by saying -when we consider how the public accounting and auditing can grow and develop, we are concerned not only with helping the public accountant or the auditor fill their position, but also with helping the whole.