Research Article
Akabom Ita Asuquo, and Aniefio
Abstract
Ethics are essential in discharging professional services to clients and society at large. In accounting practice, ethnics constitute the corner stones for reliable professional work. This study which adopted scientific approach was centred on the application of professional ethics towards proper financial management in the public sectors. Research instrument was developed and administered for relevant data. Data collected were analysed with appropriate statistical tools in order to test the authenticity of the research hypothesis. The analysis revealed that there is no significant relationship between professional ethics and effective/efficient financial management in the Cross River State Public Sector, used as case study. Further findings showed that a large difference exists between observed and expected acceptance of the significance of ethical standard in accounting practices in public sector. Consequently, it was concluded that ethical standards established by accounting professional bodies in Nigeria and the Nigerian Accounting Standard Board are not instrumental in ensuring that funds are adequately managed in the public sectors. Therefore, the Nigerian public sectors which are the reporting jurisdiction should evaluate their financial system to make sure that ethical standards are put in place to ensure effective and efficient and or scientific management of their funds.