AUDITING AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC FUNDS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, A CASE STUDY OF BUDADIRI TOWN COUNCIL, SIRONKO DISTRICT
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Date
2024-08-30
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Abstract
Despite of government effort to improve auditing functions within government, many government establishments are failing to provide accountability for public funds. This study determined the effect of auditing on accountability of public funds in Budadiri Town Council, Sironko district. The study was guided by three objectives which included ascertaining the level of auditing in Budadiri Town Council, Sironko district, to determine the level of accountability of public funds in Budadiri Town Council, Sironko district and to assess the relation between auditing functions and accountability in Budadiri Town Council, Sironko district. Data was collected from 80 respondents in Budadiri Town Council who included opinion leaders, DEC members and technical staffs. Data was collected using surveys and interviews. Study participants were identified using probability and non-probability sampling. The study employed a mixed research approach using descriptive study and case study designs and data processing was done through editing of the data which will be coded for further data analysis. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using both descriptive statistics while interview data was analyzed using frequency analysis by counting the number of times of responses had by the respondents. Findings showed that there is Auditing department in Budadiri Town Council and the department is fully functional and auditing staffs have control mechanism developed and updated to help enhance accountability of public funds. Findings also show that auditing staff report suspected frauds and errors and in professional way and auditing staffs takes on active role in risk control. Further, the study found that financial and accounting regulations are followed when spending money and financial reports are regularly produced as stipulated. Findings also revealed that payment of staffs is made in full and on time and assets of the organization are secure and yield revenue. Additionally, significant relationship between auditing and accountability of public funds exists in that auditing ensures that proper accounting regulations are followed and auditing influences the production of final reports. Findings also revealed that auditing influences preparation of financial statements at the end of every reporting period and this was mentioned in the findings by study participants and auditing ensures that assets of the organization are secure and yielding gross revenue. The stud recommended that there is need for Sironko district local government to put in place an effective and functional auditing department in Budadiri Town Council and auditing staff should report suspected frauds and errors and in professional way and they should take on active role in risk control as well as cultivating a high degree of independence in their work.