ABSTRACT

This  research   project   is  motivated   by  the  problems   encountered   in  business enterprises.   The  problem  is  defined  by  focusing  on  whether   the  employment  of quality accounting  staff and maintenance  of proper accounting   records  leads to better operational performance  of the business enterprises  in Enugu,  Nigeria.   The objective of this research study is to critically analyze the relative impact of quality accounting staff on the performance  of business  enterprises.  Five research  questions  are raised for  this study while  the researcher  used five  industrially   sectors  consisting   of two business  enterprises  from each  line of the business.    The questionnaire   is the main instrument  used for data collections  as well as personal   interviews   and observations. The analysis  of the data is based  on correlation   coefficient   analysis  which revealed that there is a strong positive  relationship  of 0.62 between quality  accounting   staff and increase  in performance  both in profit and assets value. Base on the findings,  it is recommended  that there is need for proper training  and retraining  of accountants which   will  help  to  enhance   quality   accounting   staff,  thereby   leading   to  high performance  in the business enterprises.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

'fitle ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------                I 

Certification  -- ·  ----------------------------------------------------------------------            II 

Approval  page-----------------------------------------------------------------------                III

l)eclaration------------------------------------------------.      --------------------------         IV 

Dedication----------------------------------------------------------------------------              V 

Acknowledgement=  -------------------------------    --------- ------------------·  ----     VI

'fable of contents---------------------------------------------------------·----------               VII 

List of tables-------------------------------------------------------------------------               VIII

Abstract-------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  IX

1.1 CHAPTER ONE

Introduction  -----------------------------------------      -------------------  -----

1.2 Statement  of the problem--------------------------------------------------- 3

1.3 Objective of the study-------------------------------------------------------- 3

1.4 Research  question-- ------------------------- -- -- ---- -- - - ---- ------------------ 4

1.5 Research Hypothesis---------------------------------------------------------- 4

1.6 Significance  of the  study--------------------------------------------------- 4-5

1.7 Scope and limitation  of the study----------------------------------------- 5- 7

1.8 Nature of the study---------------------------------------------------------- 7-10

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 REVIEW OF RELATED  LITERATURE

Introduction-----------------------------------------------------------.           ---

2.2 Characteristics  of business  firms-------------------------------------- 13-15

2.3 Importance  of business firms  in the economy ---------------------- 15-16

2.4 Problems  of business firms ---------------------------------------------- 16-18

2.5 Importance  of an accountant  to a business  firm-------------------- 18-22

2.6 Importance of Financial  statements/Records--------------------- --- 23-25

2. 7 The accountancy  profession--------------------------------------------- 25-28

2.8       Qualities  of an Accountant------------------------------------------------          28-29

CHAPTERTHREE

3. 1 Research  methodology  ---------------------------------------------------- 3 0-31

3.2 Survey Instrument--------------------------------------------------------- 31-33

3. 3 Sample size-------------------------------------------------------.---------- 3 3

3 .4 Analysis of technique  used------------------------------------------ ----- 3 3-36

4.1 CHAPTER   FOUR

Analysis of Data-------------------------------------------------------------

4.2 Capitalization  and increase  in Assets value--------------------------- 37-39

4.3 Profit trends ----------------------------------------------------------------- 39-41

4.4 Determination  of success-------------------------------------------------- 42

4.5 Organization  of accounting  department-------------------------------- 42

4.6 Accounting  staff qualifications------------------------------------------- 4 2-4 3

4.7 Analysis  of the qualification  of accounting  staff--------------------- 43-44

4.8 Accounting  record and financial statement---------------------------- 44-46

4.9 Interpretation  and use of accounting  statement---------------------- 4 7

4.10 Presentation  and interpretation  of data--------------------------------- 4 7-54

5 .1 CHAPTER FIVE

Recommendations   -----------------------------------------------

5.2 conclusion 58-59

References  ------------------------------------------------------------------- 60-63

Appendix  --------------------------------------------------------------·------ 64

Questionnaires  -------------------------------------------------------- 65-67