Budgetary Accounting in Public Sector: - a Case Study of the Enugu State Utilities Board

Abstract

Budgetary accounting in operation was inherited from the colonial administration over fifty years ago, with little or no modifications or improvements. This was despite the growing sophistication of environment, including vital elements of the environment such as the general public and employee in the public service. This study was undertaken to reveal existing loopholes, which need to be addressed for better management of financial resources of the public sector. The study started with discussion of budgets and budgetary control aspects of budgetary accounting. These involved historical development of budgetary control prior to 1930 and the incentive budget movement, budgetary control in an organization, budgetary control administration and budgetary control of Nigeria. Research methodology discussed these factors, different methods of collecting data including mailing, telephone and persona l contact. It also shed light in questionnaire administration and choice of the respondents. The individual responses were grouped into percentages. They were presented and analyzed as such, to discover their hidden meanings. This was then related to the Enugu State Public Utilities Board. The findings of the research included the following: emphasis was mainly on financial accountability, financial regulations inherited from the Eastern Regional Government not reviewed to suit the present day problems, appointments made not purely on merit and chief executives not interested in budgetary control and performance not accounted for. In the light of the findings, the following recommendations were made: establishment of budget department or unit; policies of the government to be expressly stated; trainings, seminars and workshops on budgets; establishment of goals, standards, efficient use of materials and review of rules and regulations governing financial matters on regular basis.