The Impact of Ipsas Adoption on Public Sector Financial Reporting: a Case Study of the Ministry of Finance, Sokoto State.

Student: Abubakar Abdulhamid Usman (Project, 2025)
Department of Accounting
Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Sokoto State


Abstract

This study examines the impact of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) adoption on transparency, accountability, and financial management within Nigeria's public sector, using the Ministry of Finance, Sokoto State, as a case study. The research highlights the challenges of financial mismanagement and corruption prevalent in the public sector and evaluates how IPSAS implementation addresses these issues by improving the quality of financial reporting. Guided by theoretical frameworks such as Agency Theory, Stewardship Theory, and Institutional Theory, the study employs a descriptive survey research design and census sampling technique, targeting all 36 employees of the Ministry of Finance, Sokoto State. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through regression and descriptive statistics using SPSS software. The findings indicate that IPSAS adoption significantly enhances transparency in financial reporting and accountability, though gaps remain in areas such as compliance and technical capacity. Furthermore, the research identifies challenges such as inadequate training, resource limitations, and resistance to change, which hinder the full implementation of IPSAS. The study concludes by providing recommendations to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for capacity-building, improved resource allocation, and stronger governance frameworks. This research contributes to the broader discourse on public sector reforms and financial management in developing countries, with specific implications for Nigeria's public administration

Keywords
impact ipsas adoption public sector financial reporting ministry finance accountability