Internal Control Systems and Performance In Public Institutions: A Case Study Of Maseno University, A Public Institution In Kenya
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Date
2012-10
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kampala International University, college of Economics and management-masters of business administration
Abstract
Public institutions in many parts of the world have poor performance compared to private
institutions. The poor performance can be attributed to financial management practice. The sound
financial management practices require the institution of strong internal control systems in
organization. However, there are limited empirical research findings in developing countries
regarding the relationship between internal control systems and organizational performance. The
main objectives of the study is to investigate the impact of internal control systems and
organization performance in public sector, establish the internal control systems prominent in
public institutions, determine the effectiveness of internal control systems in public organization
and to determine the relationship between internal control system and organizational performance
in public institutions.
Moreover, in addressing the impact of internal control systems on performance, the study tends to
answer questions such as what are the internal control systems instituted by public institutions?,
how effective are the ICS in public organization? and what is the relationship between ICS and
organizational performance in public institutions?
Regardless of an entity’s size or type, and regardless of whether it is held privately or publicly,
managers and accountants should be alert to the rudiments of accounting systems and controls.
Accounting records are kept for a variety of purposes, and a major purpose is to help managers
operate their entities more efficiently and effectively. Any person who forms a business will soon
discover that record-keeping is absolutely essential. Records form element of internal control
systems. For instance, records of receivables and payables must be created for transaction with
customers and creditors, and cash disbursements and receipts must be traced to the individual
accounts. Even the simplest of organizations must have some records.
The concept of internal control is just as relevant to public universities as it is to profit making
organizations. Inadequate internal controls can hinder the management responsibilities of senior
officers and employees and place them in a position where they may be tempted to engage in
questionable activities and accounting malpractices, or could subject individuals to unwarranted
accusations of such activities. In Maseno University, there have been a lot of weaknesses in their
policies and procedures and also in their Internal Audit, the extent to which employee’s in positions
handling cash fail to take regular leave and lack of rotation of employees handling very sensitive
areas in finance and administration.
This study takes a sample study approach with its target population being the different categories
of employees in different departments of Maseno University. It takes on a sample of 117
employees. It ensures equitable and proportionate representation of each stratum (department) in
the sample. Primary and secondary data are used in the study. Primary data was collected from
sample population using open and closed ended questionnaires. Primary data collected was
supplemented by secondary data. Secondary data will be from literatures, articles and books and
internet sources. Descriptive statistics is used in the data analysis and information presented in
statistical forms.
Maseno University started as a constituent college of Moi University on l’~ September 1990 and
became a fully fledged University in January 2001 through Maseno University Act 2000.The
university currently has a total number of staff of 1200 which comprise both academic staff and
non-academic staff. The Vision of the University is “To be a leading Institution and Center of
Excellence in University teaching, outreach, research and development.” The mission of the
University is the promotion of excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate studies, basic and
applied research for enhancement of economic, social, cultural, scientific and t
Description
A Research Project Proposal Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Award Of The Degree Of Bachelor Of Commerce (Accounting Option) Of Kampala International University.
Keywords
Internal Control Systems, Performance In Public Institutions: