Internal Control and the Financial Performance of Selected Deposit Money Banks Listed in Nigeria

Abstract

There is a general consensus that any organization without an Internal Control system in place is generally exposed to several threats that are capable of crumbling the organization in less or no time. Prominent amongst such threats are: Problem of incorrect financial statement and loss of the company’s assets; stealing and mismanagement of organizational vital documents which may be done by an employee to take undue advantage. This study investigated the impact of internal control on financial performance covering the period of 10 years (2009-2018).The study employed an ex-post facto research design which is based on secondary data obtained from the fifteen (15) selected deposit money banks listed in Nigeria stock exchange. Pooled regression analysis was used while an inference were drawn at 5% significant levelThe study findings showed that board independence is positive but insignificant to financial performance (β=0.021; P–value > 0.05). More so, on compliance with CBN regulatory framework have positive and significant influences on the financial performance (β = 0.051; P -value<0.05), Furthermore, risk management is negatively but insignificant influences the financial performance of listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria (β = -0.002; P–value < 0.10) while internal communication of information positively and significantly influences the financial performances of listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria (β = 0.820; P–value<0.05) The study concluded that there is insignificant effect of internal control on the financial performances of listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. The study recommended that banks must have an independent Board of Directors and its committee as a Corporate Governance regulatory requirement. Besides this, an independent audit department that is well trained and staffed should be set in all the branches of the banks to facilitate effective implementation of internal controls.

Keywords: Corporate governance, Deposit money banks, Financial performance, Internal control, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-4-07

Publication date: April 30^th 2020