THE EFFECTS OF ETHICAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE SUNYANI MUNICIPALITY (A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED ORGANIZATIONS)

Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges of accounting ethics of some selected organizations in the Sunyani Municipality. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The study used both primary and secondary in the data collection. The primary data was collected using questionnaires administered for the purpose of the study while the data was collected from respondents within some banking sector in Sunyani Municipality whereas the secondary data was collected from annual reports, brochures and manuals on the topic. The results of the study found out that there are so many factors considered in accounting ethics and this study contributes to knowledge as it provided deep insight into a reason why ethics seem not to be promoted in organizations. The study employed descriptive methods including frequency analysis, percentages and tables in the analysis of the set objectives of the study. Ethics builds on them and provides sign posts for the behaviour of all participants in the process. Since, there is an important place within the accounting regulations for decisions that decisions are often made in situations where the rules are not clear enough and the line of delimitation between what is acceptable and what is not feasible is not always easy to withdraw, accounting is considered one of the most ethically demanding professions. The study recommends that accounting bodies and firms paid more attention to those personal values qualities and develop appropriate ethics training for their employees and all accountants in order to maximize productivity at various workplaces.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

DECLARATION   ii

ABSTRACT  iii

KEYWORDS  iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  v

DEDICATION   vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS  vii

LIST OF TABLES  xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study  1

Statement of the Problem   5

Objectives of the Study  7

Research Questions  7

Significance of the Study  8

Delimitations  8

Limitation of the Study  8

Organization of the Study  8

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction  10

Theoretical Framework  10

Agency Theory  10

Lending Credibility Theory  11

Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development11

Teleological Theories of Ethics  13

Historical Background to Ethical Accounting  14

Codes of Ethics  18

Ethics in Accounting  19

Importance of Accounting Ethics to Organization  21

Ethical Issues and Causes of Ethical Failure  22

The Public Interest versus Self-Interest.23

Ethical Sensitivity of Practitioners.24

Organizational Performance  26

Factors of Accounting Ethics  27

Application of Ethics in Accounting  29

Ethical and Non-Ethical Behaviour in Accounting  30

The Effects of Perceived Causes of Ethical Failure on Organizational Performance  32

The Relationship between the Accounting Ethics and Organizational Performance  34

Impact of Ethics in Accounting on Society  35

Principles of Ethics in Accounting  36

Honesty  36

Objectivity  36

Professional Qualification and Care  36

Secrecy  37

Professional Behavior37

Professional Standards  37

Ethical Accounting Problems  37

Government Role  38

Professional Committees  38

Empirical Evidence of Accounting Ethics and Organizational Performance  38

An Empirical review of Accounting Ethics and Organizational Performance  44

Conceptual Framework  45

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS

Introduction  48

Research Design  48

Study Area  49

Population  49

Sampling Procedure  49

Data Collection Instruments  50

Data Collection Procedures  51

Data Processing and Analysis  52

Chapter Summary  52

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Introduction  53

Factors of Accounting Ethics  55

Discussion of Results  62

The Factors of Accounting Ethics  62

The Effects of Perceived Causes of Ethical Failure on Organizational Performance  64

The Relationship between Accounting Ethics and Organizational   Performance  65

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND  

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Introduction  67

Summary  67

Conclusions  68

Recommendation  69

REFERENCE   70

APPENDIX   78