Abstract
This research work is deliberately effort by the researcher to critically analyze and evaluate the system of accounting in the public sector of Nigeria local government vis-à-vis. The laudable objective for which this local government council of Edo North Senatorial district in view of the wide nature of this study. This project work was necessitated by the role in which local government play in the development of the grass root level, socio-economically and politically in providing a wide degree of service and execution of meaningful projects. The light degree of financial commitment has created the need for a sound system and techniques of accounting essential for a responsible and effective public administration.
In doing so, the researcher used both primary and secondary method of collecting data required in ascertaining the effectiveness of the system of accounting in Etsako West Local Government Council. Both questionnaire and interview method were used. However, from the result of the findings and conclusion, it was observed by the researcher that the accounting system of Etsako West Local Government fall short to been effective. Thus, the local government of Etsako West Local Government has been caught in the cobwebs of inadequate functions of powers, inadequate finance, low administrative efficiency and poor budgeting control. Nevertheless, the researcher did make some far reaching and incisive recommendation which if adopted will immensely solve some of this teething problem in the preceding paragraph of the local government council.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The Nigeria public sector consist of three separate level of government whose status, powers ad relationship are defined and guaranteed by the constitution. They are the federal government, the state government and the local government. Local government as the third tier of government play a very vi tal role in the development process of any country. It has a lot of responsibilities in terms of provision of social welfare service to the people of the locality.Thus, as an institution of government, it provides its citizen a sense of belongings in a political system which negates the concept of apathy in the political process of a country.
A ghayere (1997) declared that the United Nation (UN) office fo r public administration defined local government as a political sub division of a constituted by law and its substantial control o f local affairs including the power to impose taxes and exact labour for prescribed purpose. The government body of such an entity I s elected of otherwise locally selected.State government has a considerable power over their local government councils, the financial regulations applying to local government councils are formulated by the relevant status. Financial regulations provide a basis for internal control and external accountability.