Abstract
The project examines the influence of accounting system on public expenditure control in Nigeria using Etsako West Local Government as a case study. The main objective of this study is to find out how local government accounting system helps to control and regulate public expenditure in Nigeria and also to find out the extent to which the treasury department serves as a custodian of all other public expenditure. The primary source of data collection was used in gathering data from respondents. A structure questionnaire was designed by the researcher and validity by two experts from the statistics department was used to obtain data, Chi-Square (X2) was used to test hypotheses formulated. Due to the findings, it was discovered that actual expenditure does not always conform with budget expenditure and it was found that no limit is exercised over public expenditure by the control. The study concludes that accountant tries as much as possible to keep expenditure, which has been decided and planned within the limit set by management and the units of available hinds. It was also recommended amongst others that chartered accountants should be employed to head the accounts department thus, he will help improve on the system of accounting control over public expenditure already in operation.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background to the Study
In the past, public expenditure was an area of study relatively unexplored despite the significant increase that have been recorded times, this field has still not gained a prominent position in our national economic nor has the focal point been a well balanced one. Easily economist who was actually concerned with the economic of public spending was more engaged with the taxation aspects rather than with the expenditure of public monies.
The circumstance surrounding the law spread of development in this field of human Endeavour could perhaps be ascribed to many factors such as lack of readily accessible information about the composition and incident of expenditure and also the structure of institution which surround public expenditure decisions.
However of recent, there has been rapid increase in public expenditure in West African countries. Particularly Nigeria due to the fact that the functions of the various levels of government have equally increased both intensively and extensively.
In modern times the application of public expenditure by the government as a variable tool for development is a clear manifestation of its overriding importance.
Through public expenditure in a developing nation like Nigeria can not overemphasized. a properly planned and executed public expenditure promotes social and economic overheads facilitates balanced regional growth rapid development of agricultural and industrial sector and an efficient exploitation and spectacular development of mineral resource of any nation thus it can be safely concluded that the role of public expenditure as a pivot of economic development in any nation is both tremendous and fascinating.