ABSTRACT

This study was necessitated by Effective Financial Reporting Vacuum existing among reporting firms as well as high level of influence exerted by the management of organizations in the preparation of financial statements. Also, the need for this study becomes inherent, given the fact that owners of Companies are not involved in the day to day running of the business. Problems encountered include, inadequate information in financial reporting, reporting variations due to non- compliance to reporting standards, window- dressing of financial statements, inability to satisfy information needs of users, and inconsistence among others. In an attempt to focus this study, three hypothesis were formulated and Questionnaire was utilized for the purpose of procuring relevant data to test the hypotheses formulated. There was an extensive review of expert's opinion and contribution to compare and contrast the research findings. Methodologically, the study covered 800 employees of PZ Industries Aba, On the basis of Judgmental sampling technique, 15% of the population which is 120 people formed the sample. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the chi- square statistic at 0.05 level of significance on the basis of the analysis and tests, the following finding were made. Financial reporting serves as an effective tool for evaluating management's performance. Financial reporting does not satisfy all the information needs of users. Adequate compliance to reporting guidelines and standards narrow reporting variations among firms.