Contribution Of An Accountant In The Poverty Alleviation Programme Of The Federal Government
(A Case Study Of Enugu North Local Government Area)
In the realm of poverty alleviation programs initiated by the Federal Government, accountants play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient financial management. Their expertise in financial analysis, budgeting, and auditing enables them to meticulously monitor funds allocated for poverty alleviation initiatives, ensuring that resources are utilized effectively and reach those in need. Accountants also contribute to the design and implementation of sustainable economic development projects aimed at uplifting marginalized communities. By providing accurate financial reports and analysis, they enable policymakers to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and program effectiveness. Moreover, accountants help identify potential areas for cost savings and optimization of financial resources, thereby maximizing the impact of poverty alleviation efforts. Through their diligent financial stewardship, accountants serve as integral partners in advancing the Federal Government’s objectives of reducing poverty and promoting socio-economic empowerment.
My project research work is on the contribution of an accountant in the poverty alleviation programme of the federal government of Nigeria with particular reference in Enugu North Local Government Area.
These are the areas that I will concentrate while carrying out my project research.
– To determine whether the contribution of the accountant is of any relevant in the planning of programmes and policies of the poverty alleviation programme in Enugu North local government areas.
In the envisaged study, six hypotheses will be formulated to give direction of the study.
Data for the study would be sourced from two main sources.
Primary data: Questionnaires and oral interviews will be used to collect information from the respondents.
Secondary data : Journals, magazine and other relevant materials relating to the area of my investigation will be review.
This project will focus on the activities and the contribution which the accountant will play in the poverty alleviation programme of the federal government in Enugu North local government area.
Extensive literature review will be carried out on direct literature and indirect literature on books, journals and past works.
I will personally administer the questionnaire on the respondents comprising private individuals and the staff of the Enugu North local Government Area.
The research instrument to be used in this study will be oral interview and questionnaire. The questionnaire will be structural as to contain both close and open ended question.
Simple tables, pie-charts and percentages will be used in treatment of data while chi-square will be used to test the hypothesis formulated.
Finally, the study will hold immense benefit to the economic programmes of the federal government and its citizenry, the entire citizenry of Enugu North Local Government Area, the researcher and readers.
This project work was on the contribution of the accountant in poverty alleviation programme of the federal government with particular note on Enugu North local government area.
The objectives of the study among others were: To determine the contribution of the Accountant in the poverty alleviation programme of Enugu North local government area.
To determine whether the contribution of the accountant is of relevant in the planning of programmes and policies of the poverty alleviation programme in Enugu North local government area.
In view of this an indepth literature, review was carried of related materials, journals, and text books, Beside, data were elicited through the use of Questionnire and oral interview conducted.
These data were analysed and presented using statistical technique such as tables and percentages. The data was used to test the three hypothesis formulated.
Based on the data analysed these findings were made:
It was discovered that the poverty alleviation programme was geared towards, providing food, security, reducing unemployment and increasing the standard of living of the citizens.
Inspite of the rigorious effort by the three tiers government and the huge sum that has been spent so far, the impact is yet to be felt even in Enugu North Local Government Area.
It was discovered that the local government authorities particularly the poverty alleviation committee have made contentious effort towards mobilization of savings by intermediating between those that have the needed resources (donors) and those that need then (grassroots).
In the light of these findings recommendation were also made which include:
Enlightment campaign programme aimed at informing and educating the citizens and individuals domiciled within Enugu on the relevance benefit and right attitude towards poverty alleviation programme.
Periodic account audit should be carried out semi annually in other to determine the amount and the effect of funds disbursed courtesy of the poverty alleviation programme.
There should be proper integration and contribution definition with particular emphasis on the place of the accountant in other to guarantee maximum result which will invariably lead to a noticeable impact of the programme at the grass root lead.
The researcher strongly believe that if the measures are taken it will help to create positive impact of poverty alleviation programme at the grass root level.
Title page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Proposal vii
Table of contents ix
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Purpose of the problem 2
1.2 statement of the problem 4
1.3 objectives of the study 6
1.4 research hypothesis 7
1.5 scope / limitation of the study 8
1.6 significance of the study 9
1.7 Definition of terms 10
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Review of related literature 12
2.1 Nature and scope of accounting 12
2.2 Qualifications of an accountant 17
2.3 The functional contribution of an accountant 21
2.4 Benefits 23
2.5 The poverty alleviation programme
of the federal government. 24
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research Methodology 30
3.1 Sources of data 30
3.2 Research instrument 31
3.3 Population of study 32
3.4 Sampling technique 32
3.5 Determination of sample size 33
3.6 Validation of instrument 34
3.7 Test statistics 35
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Introduction 36
4.1 Data presentation, analysis and interpretation 36
4.2 Test of hypothesis 46
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Introduction 51
5.1 Summary of findings 51
5.2 Recommendation 53
5.3 Conclusions 54
5.4 Suggestions for further studies 54
Appendix I Questionnaire 55
Appendix ii Bibliography 63
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The need to develop micro economic activities that could enhance self reliance as a strategy for educing poverty became paramount that the three tiers of government (federal, state, and local) came up with various initiatives. Among these were programmes and policies that aimed at:
– Stimulating economic growth through the engagement of semi-skilled and unskilled labour in productive activities.
– Immediate reduction of social vices and tension in the society by removing idle hands from the streets.
– Engage the unemployed in direct activities as a variable means of reflecting the economy.
– Improve the environment latest environmental degradation
– Minimize rural urban drift through the improvement of rural communities.
– Committing the fund to direct benefit of the participants rather than on services or overheads.
To achieve these, machineries must be put in motion with competent professionals from various fields of endeavour to plan, implement, monitor and control the programmes and policies. Among these is the contribution of the accountant.
1.1 PURPOSE OF THE PROBLEM
Among the major problems that have played the socio-political and economic life of developing nations are gross unemployment of her teeming population and poverty. Among these nations include our country Nigeria.
Poverty in Nigeria is pervasive. About 60% of Nigerians live below the poverty line. Available statistics shows that only 50% of the population have access to safe water. About 38% of the population do not have access to primary health care, while most Nigerians consume less than one third (1/3) of the minimum required protein and vitamins in take due to low purchasing power.
These incidence were conpounded by over two decades of political instability, macro economic policy inconsistencies, low capacity utilization in indusories and the massive turn out of school leavers and graduates by institutions of higher learning.
Suffice it to say that despite these, for three decades after independence, unemployment and poverty were not a national state or local concern in Nigeria as it is today. However on inception of office in May, 1999, the Obasanjo administration took upon itself the major task of redressing the twin problem of poverty and employment generation.
To this end therefore, the government with a high sense of commitment made a provision of #10billion for the creation of two hundred thousand jobs in the year 2000.
Worthy to mention was the fact that governments desire to eradicate poverty was born out of the conviction that the incidence of poverty and unemployment have assumed a dimension that is socially, economically and politically unacceptable. To this end therefore, all hands must be on deck including not only the three tiers of government but also professional bodies and competent individuals among these includes the contribution of the accountant.
The accountant performs the accounting function which involves the process of identifying, measuring, recording and communicating the economic event of an organization (business or non-business, government of non-government) to the process identification involves selecting those events that are considered as evidence of economic activities relevant to a particular entity. (Wey Gandt, 1993).
Once identified, the economic events must be measured in financial terms, that is quaritified innaira. If the event cannot be quantified in monetary terms, it is not considered part of the organization financial information system. The measurement function thereby eliminates some significant events because they lack measurability in financial terms. These and many more are some of the functional contributions of the accountant even as it applies to the poverty alleviation programme of the federal government.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The importance of the accountant or the accounting profession can not be over-emphasized. This stemmed from the fact the success of an organization lies very much on effective and effectual planning, implanting, monitoring and controlling its financial flow thus, accounting is ingrained and vital to our economic activity. Its relevance include the whole process of identifying, measuring recording and communicating the economic event of our organization to interested user of the information (Wey Gandt 1993).
This contribution, no doubt permeates even to the poverty alleviation programme of the federal government.
Enugu North Local Government is one of the three tiers of government, whose major task is to guarantee the efficient and effective implementation of the poverty alleviation programme at the grass root level.
To achieve this therefore, a result oriented planning, implementation, monitoring and controlling of the financial resources must be put in place. The question that comes to mind therefore are:
What contribution should the accountant play in the implementation of poverty alleviation programme?
Is the contribution of the accountant of any relevance to the actualization of this programme?
In other to answer these questions this study will critically evaluate the contribution of the accountant in the poverty alleviation programme in Enugu North Local Government Area.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study among other things include:
To determine the contribution of the accountant in the poverty alleviation programme of Enugu North Local Government Area.
To determine whether the contribution of an accountant is of any relevance in the planning of programmes and policies of poverty alleviation in Enugu North Local Government Area.
To determine whether the contribution of the accountant is of any importance in the implementation of the poverty alleviation programme.
To determine whether the contribution of the accountant is of any relevance in monitoring of the strategies of the poverty alleviation programme of Enugu North local Government Area.
To determine whether the contribution of the accountant will result in the actualization of the objectives of poverty alleviation in Enugu North Local Government Area.
1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
HO: The contribution of the accountant is not relevant to the effective planning of the poverty alleviation programme in Enugu North Local Government Area.
HI: The contribution of the accountants is relevant to the effective planning of the poverty alleviation programme in Enugu North Local Government Area.
HO2: The contribution of the accountant is irrelevant to the successful implementation of the poverty alleviation programme in Enugu North Local Government Area.
H2: The contribution of the accountant is relevant to the successful implementation of the poverty alleviation programme in Enugu North Local Government Area.
HO3: The contribution of the accounted is irrelevant in the monitoring and controlling of the poverty alleviation programme of Enugu North Local Government Area.
H3: The contribution of the accountant is relevant in the monitoring and controlling of the poverty alleviation programme of Enugu North Local Government Area.
1.5 SCOPE
This project focused on the activities and the contribution the accountant played in the poverty alleviation programme of the federal Government in Enugu North Local Government Area. The responsibilities attached to the programme that was established by the federal Government to help the less privileged, the unemployed in the society and so on. It covers the activities that happened or happening in Enugu North Local Government.
Area concerning the contribution of the accountant in the poverty alleviation programme of the federal Government. The accountant has to discharge his/her civil responsibilities in the programme within the geographical area i.e Enugu North Local Government Area.
LIMITATION
Suffice it to say that this study may not be termed comprehensive due to limitations imposed by:
– Financial constratints
Financial was one of the major contraint that limited the study. This is consequent of the fact that the researcher’s sources of financial support was not able to adequately take care of her academic financial responsibilities and the project work.
– Time constraint:
Another major constraint that affected this study was time. This was due to the fact that the study was conducted amidst normal academic studies. To this end therefore, it was difficult for the researcher to meet up some of the appointments with respondens.
– Unavailability of materials:
Another major constraint to this study was unavailability of materials. The poverty alleviation programme is a new economic concept adopted by the federal Government hence, not doubt limited the study as the researcher had difficulties in sourcing out for these materials.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Candidly, this study will be of immense benefit to the economic programmes of the federal government and its citizenry. As details analysis will be carried out on the elevate of the accountant in the successful planning, implementation and actualization of the objectives of the poverty alleviation programme.
Secondly, the study will also be of great benefit to the entire citizenry of Enugu North Local Government Area as it will provide move result oriented ways of implementing the policies and programmes of poverty alleviation within the local government.
Again the study will be of great benefit to both the researcher and the reader as information contained will provided an in-depth understanding and knowledge in the area of investigation which could stir up further enquiry.
1.7 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
Accountant – Professional keeper or verifier of accounts he serves as or
provides explanation as regards to income and expenditure.
Poverty alleviation – Making poorness, scarcity or lack less severe by the
three tiers of government.
Professional _ A person that belongs to or connected with accounting. He is
skillful, competent and worthy of the profession (accounting).
Policy – Course of action adopted by the government on how to make
poverty less sever.
Grass root – Ordinary people or less privileged ones who need the assistance
of the government to come above this level.
Public Accounting- Accounting records prepared on behalf of the state or in
the public interest.
Planning – Planning requires management to look ahead and to establish
objectives. These objectives are desired at maximizing short
term profits and market shares.
Control – Is the process of keeping the firms activities on track. Here the
management accountant determines whether planned goals are
being met or if there are deviations from target objectives.
Contribution Of An Accountant In The Poverty Alleviation Programme Of The Federal Government:
Accountants play a crucial role in the poverty alleviation programs of a government, including those undertaken by the Federal Government. Keep in mind that specific roles and contributions may vary based on the nature and structure of the poverty alleviation programs in question.
- Financial Management and Accountability: Accountants are responsible for managing the financial aspects of poverty alleviation programs. They ensure that funds are properly allocated, used, and reported. This includes budgeting, tracking expenses, preparing financial statements, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Proper financial management increases transparency, reduces the risk of misappropriation, and ensures the efficient use of resources.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Accountants can be involved in setting up monitoring and evaluation systems for poverty alleviation programs. By tracking financial data and performance metrics, they help assess the effectiveness of the programs and identify areas that need improvement. Regular monitoring allows for timely adjustments and helps in demonstrating the impact of the programs.
- Fraud Prevention and Detection: Poverty alleviation programs are susceptible to fraud and corruption. Accountants can implement internal controls to prevent and detect fraudulent activities. They may establish procedures for verifying beneficiary eligibility, preventing duplicate payments, and detecting irregular financial transactions.
- Transparency and Reporting: Accountants ensure that financial transactions related to poverty alleviation programs are accurately recorded and reported. This transparency builds trust among stakeholders, including donors, government agencies, and the public. Regular financial reporting also assists in meeting reporting requirements set by international organizations or funding sources.
- Cost Efficiency and Resource Allocation: Accountants help optimize the allocation of resources within poverty alleviation programs. By analyzing financial data, they can identify areas where costs can be minimized without compromising the quality or reach of the program’s services. This ensures that limited resources are used efficiently to benefit the maximum number of beneficiaries.
- Capacity Building: Accountants can contribute to the capacity building of program staff and stakeholders. They can provide training on financial management, budgeting, and reporting to enhance the financial literacy of those involved in program implementation.
- Sustainability Planning: Accountants play a role in the long-term sustainability of poverty alleviation programs. They can assist in developing financial models that project the program’s future financial needs and potential sources of funding. This helps in planning for the continuation of the program beyond its initial phase.
- Advisory Role: Accountants can provide valuable financial advice to policymakers and program managers. Their expertise can guide decisions related to program design, funding allocation, and implementation strategies.
- Ensuring Compliance: Poverty alleviation programs often need to adhere to various regulations and legal requirements. Accountants ensure that financial activities are in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, preventing any legal issues that might arise.
In conclusion, accountants contribute significantly to the success of poverty alleviation programs by ensuring financial transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness. Their involvement helps build a strong foundation for programs that aim to uplift disadvantaged communities and promote sustainable development.