Accounting System and Entrepreneurial Performance of Selected Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria


ABSTRACT
This study examined accounting system and entrepreneurial performance in Rivers State. Data was collected from small and medium scale enterprises in Rivers State. The statistical tools used in analysing the data were the simple percentage and frequency tables, and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The result revealed that there is significant relationship between accounting system and the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in Rivers State. Also, it was found that positive significant relationship exists between accounting system and the profitability of firms. Hence it is concluded that effective accounting system enhance entrepreneurial growth and reduces errors in transaction. Therefore, it is recommended that small and medium scale firms in the Niger Delta should establish sound and efficient accounting system in their organization as it would enhance the growth of the company.


74 Pages
  
Project Reference Code: C079


CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1   OVERVIEW
Accounting system is an integral part of every business organisation. Hence, its importance to the growth of entrepreneurial firms in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Entrepreneurial business venture such as small scale firms engage in numerous transactions that affects the financial status of the business.
The nature of these transactions makes it humanly impossible to trust all or any of them to memory. It makes sense therefore that proper accounting records are kept of these transactions so that at any point in time, a reference can be made to the financial standing of the business entity.
Cook (2007:4) opines that any businessman who does not keep proper accounts will face unforeseen problems such as over taxation, overdrawing of cash for personal use, inability to control credit, inability to make profitable plans and inability to employ the resources of the firm effectively. Therefore, an effective accounting system is highly necessary in all entrepreneurial firms. No firm can do without an accounting system (Cook, 2007).
Accounting system is therefore a collection of source documents, records, procedures, management policies and control, and data processing methods used to transform economic data into useful information (Moscove, 2004:2). It is also defined as a set of interrelated systems that provide financial and economic information (Potter, 2000).
Thus, accounting system is an embodiment of the principles, methods and procedures relating to the financial transactions of a company (Baston, 2005). With financial transactions increasing significantly over the years, it becomes very that a well designed accounting system developed and implemented. Smith (2006:21) stated that accounting system plays two major roles in the firm:
1.  To carry out the routine transaction processing and record keeping required of the accounting organization
2.  To measure and report the performance of the firm, In financial terms
Regardless of an entity's size or type, managers and accountants should be alert to the" rudiments of accounting systems and controls (Mattessich 2002: 14). Thus, any entrepreneur who starts a business will discover that accounting system is absolutely essential for the firm's growth.
For instance, records of receivables and payables must be created for transactions with customers and creditors, and cash disbursements and receipt must be traced to the individual accounts. Even the small sole proprietor must have some basic records.
Cook (2007) sees accounting system as a wise business investment. It plays a very important role in the decision making process entrepreneurial firms. Considering the increasing complexity confronting entrepreneurs either as a result of the size of the business unit and the interactions and diversity of operations, one would not question the need for an accounting system (Cook, 2007).
Entrepreneurial firms in Nigeria therefore need to establish a sound and efficient accounting system in their organization if they must grow and prosper. With an efficient accounting system, entrepreneur would be able to make better decision and profitable investment that will enhance the growth of the firm. It is against this background that this study seeks to examine accounting system and entrepreneurial growth in Nigeria using selected firms in Rivers State as a survey study.
1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
One of the factors which have negatively affected the growth of entrepreneurial firms in Rivers State is lack of effective accounting system. Most of the small and medium scale firms in the Rivers State region do not have a well designed accounting system that supplies accurate and timely financial information required for effective planning and decision making.
In some firms, there are no qualified accountants who would have ensured a sound accounting practice in the organization. In fact, many entrepreneurs in Rivers State see it as a waste of resources employing the services of professional accountant to install and improve the accounting system in their companies.
Most of the accounting jobs are done by unqualified personnel who do not have any professional knowledge in accounting. In fact, most of the "small and medium scale firms in Rivers State still use paper-work in their record keeping operations. Many entrepreneurs do not have automated accounting system in their companies.
It is expected that entrepreneurial firms in Rivers State have a well automated accounting system that will supply accurate and timely financial information needed by entrepreneurs/managers to make profitable investment decision that will enhance the growth of the firm. But what is observed today is neglect of accounting system: due to ignorance of the important role played by accounting system in the growth of firms. It is in view to address this problem that prompted this study.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.10 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

REFERENCES
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 INTRODUCTION
This chapter essentially deals with the review of related literature on the subject matter under investigation.
2.1   NATURE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE   ENTERPRISES
Obviously, there are various definitions of small-scale business just as there are many authors of the subject. There is no universally and generally acceptable definition of small scale business. Moreover, the working definition varies from country to country; it also varies among industrial groups and among various financial institutions. For instance, the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUN) (2000: 17) defines small scale enterprises as those enterprises whose total fixed cost (excluding the cost of land) does not more than NIO million. The Centre for Management Development (2001:5) however defines small scale enterprise as a manufacturing, processing or service industry employing up to 50 full-time workers, investment in plant and machinery, but excluding land and buildings does not exceed N40 million.
Udechukwu (2003:7) sees small scale enterprise as an industry with a labour size of 11-100 workers or a total cost of not more than N50 million, including working capital but excluding cost of land. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in its monetary policy circular No. 25 of credit guideline (2009) defines small scale enterprise as one whose capital investment does not exceed N40 million (excluding land but including working capital) with a labour size of between 11-35 workers:
Medium scale enterprises as defined by the National Council of Industries (2009) refer to medium, enterprises whose total costs excluding land is not more than two hundred million naira (N200,000,000.00). The Central Bank of Nigeria (2008) defined medium scale enterprises as an enterprises with total cost (including working capital but excluding cost of land) above N40 million but not exceeding N150 million, with a labour size of 100 staff.
Udechukwu (2003) defines medium scale enterprise as an industry with a labour size of between 101-300 workers or a total cost of over N50 million but not more than N200 million, including working capital but excluding cost of land.
A lot has been said and written about medium scale enterprises globally. It has also formed the subject of discussions in so many seminars and workshops both locally and internationally. In. the same token, governments at various levels (local, state and federal levels) have in one way or the other focused on' the small and medium enterprises.
While some governments had formulated policies aimed at facilitating and empowering the growth and development and performance of the SMEs, others had focused on assisting the SMEs, others had focused on assisting the SMEs to grow through soft loans and other fiscal incentives.
2.2   FEATURES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE        ENTERPRISES
2.3 NATURE AND DEFINITION OF ACCOUNTING
2.4 IMPORTANCE OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION
2.5 ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
2.6 OBJECTIVES OF ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
2.7   IMPORTANCE OF ACCOUNTING SYSTEM IN BUSINESS      FIRMS.
2.8   MEASUREMENT CRITERIA OF EFFICIENT ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
2.9 ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH

REFERENCES


CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0   INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, the researcher discusses the methods and procedure used in collecting and analyzing the data for the study. This is necessary because it provide a proper understanding of how the study was undertaken. The methodology will be discussed under the following sub-headings:
·        Research design
·        Population of the study
·        Sample size determination and sampling procedure
·        Data collection method
·        Questionnaire design
·        Operational measures of variables
·        Data analysis technique
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
Research design deals with the fundamental questions of how the study subject will be brought into the scope of the research and how. they will employed within the research setting to yield the desired result. It is a framework or plan that is used as a guide in collecting data for study (Nachmias and Nachmias 1976). There are two types of research design. The experimental and the quasi experimental research design. The quasi-experimental research design consist of descriptive (Survey, case study, etc) and historical research (Unamma, 2003).
In this study, the researcher adopted the quasi-experimental research design. Here, the survey research was used to collect information from the pre-determined sample that is a representative of the entire population.
3.2 SAMPLING/SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION
3.3 DATA COLLECTION METHOD
Primary Data Source
Secondary Data Source
Questionnaire Design
3.4 OPERATIONAL MEASURES OF VARIABLES
3.5 RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
3.6 DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE
The data analysis technique applied In this study were the percentage and frequency tables, and the spearman rank order correlation coefficient which was used to test the hypotheses.
The data were presented on tables and values expressed in percentage. Percentage is the data analytical tool. The technique is used because the research design demands the counting of the number of responses for and against the research questions formulated for the study. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation of Co-efficient is the statistical technique used for hypothesis testing; it is a parametric test and is symbolized as “Rho” or “p”.
The method read observation in the dependent and independent variable, determines whether there is association or relationship. The formula for Pearson product moment correlation of co-efficient is given as:
3.7.1 Model Specification     
                r =
Where
        N      =      numbers of data variables
        X      =      the independent variable(s)
        Y      =      the dependent variable
Given that:
        Y      =      accounting system (AccSys)
        X      =      entrepreneurial Profitability and growth (Profit,                       Growth)
Thus we put forward that entrepreneurial Profitability and growth is a function of a good accounting system
REFERENCES 


CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1   INTRODUCTION
This chapter focuses on the presentation and analysis of data. That is, the researcher would present, manipulate and summarize the data collected in the questionnaire to obtain answers to the research questions and hypotheses. The result of the analysis carried out would be used to draw the necessary inferences for the study.
4.1 DATA PRESENTATION
4.1.1. Analysis of Research Questions
4.2. DATA ANALYSIS
4.3. TESTING OF HYPOTHESES


CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter is the concluding chapter of the study and it deals with the discussion of findings, conclusion and recommendations. That is, the result of the analysis carried out would be discussed. The conclusion would then be drawn from the result of the analysis carried out on the entire data and the recommendations for the study would be provided.
5.2 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
This study is on the Impact of Accounting System on the Entrepreneurial Performance in Rivers State. In the process of carrying out this study, two hypotheses were formulated to adequately address the objectives of the study and they were tested statistically using the Pearson Product Moment Co-Efficient of Correlation (PPMCC). The test was carried out using Statistical Package For Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16.0.
From the first hypothesis, a positive correlation was seen to exist between the implementation of a good accounting system and profitability of entrepreneurs in Rivers. Our analysis also indicated a positive relationship between accounting system and business growth among entrepreneurs and small business owners.
This is likely as a result of the fact that the implementation of an accounting system reduced errors inherent in accounting entries, accuracy and consistency in records become the norm. The use of an accounting system also reduces fraud as a good accounting system would boast of a robust checks and balances mechanism.
The amount of man-hour needed to complete accounting transactions is also drastically reduced. Finally, a good accounting system also reduces the amount of man-hours used making reference to previous transactions all these impact positively on the performance of entrepreneurs and small business owners
5.3 CONCLUSION
5.4   RECOMMENDATION 


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Baridam, D.M. (1995): Research Method in Administrative Sciences; Port Harcourt: Paragraphics.
Baston, A. (2005), "Elements of Accounts" (5th Ed.) New York: Prentice Hall.
Bastron (2006) Element of Accounts (Great Britain, Cassel Ltd. 1979) p. 3.
.

Smith, R.E. (2006). Financial Accounting, (5th Ed.), New York: John Wiley & Sons Publications.
Udechukwu, F.N. (2003), Survey of small and Medium Scale Industries and their potentials in Nigeria . CBN Publication, Lagos.
Unamma, A.O. (2003): 'Basic Needs for Developmental Research - A Hint for University / Distance Learning Scientists; Owerri: Amandera Educational Services.


Project Reference Code: C079


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