Financial accountability and reporting by governing bodies of public schools in South Africa
Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This study was about the lack of uniform financial reporting guidelines to be used by South African School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in preparing their financial statements and financial records, which resulted in the inconsistencies and the lack of comparability in the financial statements of section 21 schools. The researcher aimed to develop recommended practice guidelines to be used by SGBs of public schools in South Africa when preparing their financial statements. \nThe research was conducted through a qualitative approach using document analysis, supplemented by individual interviews. Provincial guidelines and selected schools’ financial statements were analysed. Schools’ principals, finance officers, auditors, School Governing Body treasurers, as well as districts officials were interviewed. The participants were selected using a purposive sampling method. \nWithout generalising, the findings revealed that the existing provincial guidelines as well as the financial statements of the selected schools, are not consistent. The inconsistencies affect the comparability of the financial information negatively and that may also have negative impact on the reliability of financial information. The findings from the interviews, supported by the literature review, revealed that there is a need for uniform guidelines in terms of preparation of schools’ financial statements. The findings also revealed that the majority of SGBs opt for the examination of accounting records and financial statements instead of the audit thereof. Recommended practice guidelines were developed using information acquired through the literature review and the data acquired through document analysis and interviews. The study recommended amongst others that a further study be conducted on the effectiveness of financial management training in addressing the financial reporting challenges of South African public schools and whether the examination (instead of audit) of schools’ financial records and financial statements should still be acceptable.
Author: Moses Thabang Hlongoane
Language: English
Subfield: Accounting
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2982387588