European Journal of Business and Management www.iiste.

org
ISSN 2222-1905 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2839 (Online)
Vol.12, No.17, 2020

Impact of Computerized Accounting Systems on the Quality of

Financial Reports in the Banking Sector of Ghana
Simon Akumbo Eugene Mbilla*
Department of Business Studies, Regentropfen College of Applied Science, PMB, Bolgatanga.
Department of Accountancy, Bolgatanga Technical University, P. O. Box 767, Bolgatanga
Corresponding author*

Joseph Dery Nyeadi

Management Studies Department, University of Mines and Technology, P. O. Box 237, Tarkwa

David Amoah Akolgo

Department of Accountancy, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, P. O. Box 767, Bolgatanga

Maxwell Awineyesema Abiire*

Department of Accounting, University of Cape Coast Business School, Cape Coast

Abstract
The ongoing advancement of information technology has affected accounting information systems; PCs become
smaller, quicker, simpler to utilize and more affordable prompting the computerization of accounting information
systems. This research is therefore designed to examined the impact of computerized accounting systems on
quality financial reports of banks in Ghana. The instrument of data collection was the survey method. The study
population comprised of all banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The quantitative research approach was
adopted for the study and data processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programming
version 21. Findings from the study discovered that taking all other autonomous factors at zero, a unit increment
in automated computerized accounting system will bring about 0.50 increment in the quality of financial reports
of banks. The implication of this study is that, for banks to have quality financial reports efforts must be made to
invest in computerized accountings systems so as to improve the speed, practicality, accuracy and relevance of the
financial reports of their operations.
Keywords: Financial Reports, Banks, Computerized Accounting, Quality Reports, Information Technology
DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-17-12
Publication date:June 30th 2020

Introduction
Accounting is the basic foundation of any business, large or small proprietors, profit making or non-benefit making
associations. Several small businesses do their bookkeeping manually and they are fulfilled. Others might be
thinking about utilizing a mechanized framework, since accounting programming is much affordable. Manual and
modernized accounting frameworks perform essentially similar procedures, accounting standards and ideas are the
equivalent with contrasts lying in the details of the procedure. In spite of the fact that automated accounting
framework is costly, its points of interest lie on speed and having the option to store data.
According to Sugut (2012) accountability refers to a condition under which a role holder renders account to
another so that judgment may be made about the adequacy of performance. Vance (2015), equate accountability
not only to reporting but also to the justification of performance, they continue to describe accountability as the
implicit and explicit expectations that anyone may be called upon to justify one’s belief, feelings and actions to
others. Computerization saves time on transaction hence leading to quality of financial reporting for instance
timely, accurate and reliable information can be generated Alfred (2014). As information technologies grow more
progressively, the manual accounting systems have become gradually inadequate for decision needs Brecht and
Martin, (2013).
Consequently, public and private sector firms for that matter banking industries in both developing and
developed economies view computerization as an automobile mechanism to ensure effective and efficient
information flow in the recording, processing, and analysis of financial data. Effective and efficient information
flow enhances managerial decision-making, thereby increasing the firm’s ability to achieve corporate and business
strategy objectives Manson, McCartney, and Sherer, (2001).
This study is to evaluate and analyse the influence of computerized accounting systems to the corporate entity
profitability and how an organisation can use computerized accounting systems as a strategic mechanism to take
competitive advantage in the industry. Also to establish the effect of computerized accounting systems on the
quality of financial reports of banks

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2.0 Review of Literature

2.1 Theoretical Review
This section dealt with the theories that were important to the subject of this study. The theories included systems
theory, positive accounting theory and resource-based review theory.
2.1.1 Systems Theory
Kaufmann (2015) developed systems to explain historical development as a dynamic process and was more fully
developed by biologist Bertalanffy (2016). Bertalanffy argued that everything is interconnected and therefore, we
should study the interconnectedness as a means of understanding the world. The systems theory method of analysis
involves, first the deconstruction of what is to be explained that is the phenomenon under consideration, secondly,
the formulation of explanation that account for the behaviour of properties of the component separately and finally
the synthesis of these explanations into an aggregate understanding of the whole. General systems theory like other
innovative frameworks of thought passes through phases of ridicule and neglect. It has benefited, however, from
the parallel emergence and rise to importance of computing and information theory. Systems theory is relevant to
this study because the methods proposed by the theory is to model complex entities created by multiple
interaction of components by abstracting from certain details of structure and component and concentrating on the
dynamics that define the characteristics functions, properties and relationships that are internal or external to the
system, Computerized Accounting System is a computer based system, which combines accounting principles
concepts as well as the concept of information system to record, process, analyse and produce financial information
to its users to make economic decisions Gelinas et al, (2005). The illustrative figure below relates the CAS to
systems theory since it involves multiple components which interact to generate usable results these are input,
processing storage, users and output.
Figure 2.1: A Computerized Accounting System Model

Sourced Gelinas et al (2005)

2.2 Computerised Accounting Systems

A computerized accounting system involves the computerization of accounting information systems which is
established in order to facilitate decision making Manson, McCartney, and Sherer, (2001). These are associated
with number of benefits like speed of carrying out routine transactions, timeliness, quick analysis, accuracy and
reporting. Effective and efficient information flow enhances managerial decision-making, thereby increasing the
firm’s ability to achieve corporate and business strategy objectives Manson, McCartney, and Sherer, (2001). This
in turn, may increase the prospects of the firm’s survival Platt and Platt, (2012). This can be evaluated by the
procedures, accounting records and tools used Keating and Frumkin (2003).

2.3 Empirical Review

This section discussed the empirical review both international and local evidence of studies that had been carried
out bykjhgf other researchers.
2.3.1 International Evidence
Alshebeil (2010) aimed to identify the role of accounting information systems in having competitive advantage
for Jordanian commercial banks, and his findings were that there is a statistically significant impact for accounting
information systems on achieving the dimensions of competitive advantage by improving the pricing process for
banking services, reducing costs of banking services, increasing the speed of providing services, and increasing
market share.
Amveko (2011) in which she aimed to identify the impact of accounting information systems on financial
reporting in Kampala, the financial reports generated conform to some of the quality attributes of good financial

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Vol.12, No.17, 2020

information. This was emphasized by a positive correlation of response on quality attributes of timeliness and
accuracy; though it was on a low scale her findings were that computerized accounting system actually has an
influence on the quality of financial reports for publication purposes.
El- Dalabeeh (2012) aimed to identify the role of computerized accounting information systems in reducing
the costs of medical services at King Abdullah University Hospital, and his findings were that computerized
accounting information systems play an important role in reducing the costs of medical services at King Abdullah
University Hospital compared with non-computerized systems, which usually require bigger costs and do not
contribute to reduce the costs of medical services.
2.3.2 Local Evidence
A study conducted by Otieno and Oima (2013) they studied the Effect of Computerised Accounting Systems on
Audit Risk Management in Public Enterprises, the study reflected that only 36% of the institutions reported that
they had a regular program or equivalent in place while another 24% were in the process of implementation of the
computerised system. More than 40% of the participating institutions lacked computerized audit implementation
plan.

3.0 Research Methodology

This study adopted the survey method as a research design. The study was conducted in Ghana and the population
made up of all banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The researcher engaged 300 respondents from the
twelve listed banks in the Ghana Stock Exchange using the purposive sampling technique. This was informed by
Saunders et al, (2007), Zikmud (2001). The quantitative research approach was explored due to the nature of the
study objective.

3.1 Methods of Data Collection

This study used primary data and secondary data. Primary data are those which are collected at fresh and for the
first time Kothari (2005). We obtained these data for the first time through questionnaires and observations.
Secondary data are data that are already available and refer to data that have already been collected and analysed
by someone else Kothari (2005). Secondary data were obtained through documentary review, which included
published and unpublished documents, and different reports.
Questionnaire: In this study the questionnaire was the main mechanism for data collection. We used the
questionnaire because it is fast, and it gives the respondents enough time to mirror on the questions. Since each
respondent was asked to respond to the same set of questions, it provided an efficient way of collecting replies
from a large sample prior to measurable analysis Saunders et al, (2007).
Observation: Some data will be acquired from non-participatory observation. We predicted some of the
information concerning computerised accounting systems in the municipality and to the country as a whole.

3.2 Analysis and Presentation

The collected data was processed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Data were presented in
tables and bar charts. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyses data for the purpose of understanding the main
characteristics of the research variables. Cross tabulation was used to determine the relationships between variables.
These techniques of data presentation and analysis were chosen because they are easily applicable and
understandable.

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.1 Descriptive Analysis of Computerize Accounting Systems
The researcher further needed to know the effects of computerized accounting systems on the quality of financial
reports

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Vol.12, No.17, 2020

Figure 4.1: CAS Facilitate Financial Management

Source; field survey, 2018

Figure 4.4; shows whether CAS facilitate financial management in the bank, Out of the 300 (100%) of the
respondents. 50% of the respondents strongly agreed, 42% of them agreed, 2.5% were uncertain and 5% of them
strongly disagreed. Henceforth, there is enough evidence for us to confirm that, CAS facilitate financial
management in banking industries.
Figure 4.2: Improve Quality of Financial Report

Source: field survey 2018

Figure 4.5; depicts that out 100% of responses, 50% of the respondents strongly agreed, 20% agreed, 10%
disagreed and 20% of them strongly disagreed that, CAS improves quality of financial report in the banks. Based
on these result, we can conclude with the level of 50% and 20% that CAS improve quality of financial report in
the bank.
Table 4.1: CAS Software Packages Use in the Banks
Software packages Extent of usage
Sage Very great extent
Quick books Very great extent
Sap Very great extent
Tally Very great extent
Peachtree Very great extent
T24 Very great extent
R15 Very great extent
Source: field survey 2018

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Table 4.5; shows some of the software packages the banks use and the extent to the usage of those software
in the bank.

4.2 Quality of Financial Reports

The researchers sought to know the NGOs responses on the quality of financial reports.
Figure 4.3: Computerized Accounting System Part of the Business Activities

Source; field survey, 2018

Figure 4.2; shows that all the 300 (100%) of respondents, agreed to the response YES CAS is part of the bank
business activities. Thus we have enough evidence to justify that, the bank uses CAS in its business activities with
100% level of confidence.
Figure 4.4: The Bank Being Practicing Computerized Accounting

Source; field survey, 2018

Figure 4.3; depicts how long banks has been practicing CAS, where 300 (100%) of the respondents said, the
banks has been practicing CAS four (4) years and above. Hence there is enough proves to say, the banks
incorporated CAS into their business activities four years and above now.

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Table 4.2: Reliable Information on Computerized Accounting System Implementation

Response Frequency Percentage (%)
Strongly Agree 90 30.0
Disagree 60 20.0
Strongly Disagree 150 50.0
Total 300 100.0
Source; field survey, 2018
Table 4.3; portrays that, 90 (30%) strongly agree, 60 (20%) disagree and 150 (50%) strongly disagreed that,
there is sufficient reliable information on CAS implementation. Thus we can confidently confirm that there is no
reliable information on CAS implementation in banks.
Table 4.3: Financial Report Produced Provide Relevant Information to Stakeholders for Decision Making
and Planning
Response Frequency Percentage (%)
Strongly Agree 120 40.0
Agree 135 45.0
Disagree 30 10
Strongly Disagree 15 5
Total 300 100.0
Source; field survey, 2018
Table 4; illustrates whether CAS report provide relevant financial information to stakeholders for decision
making and planning. The table presented that out of 300 (100%), 40% of the respondents strongly agreed, 45%
of them agreed, 10% of them disagreed and 5% of the respondents strongly disagreed.
For that matter, we have 45% and 40% level of confidence to say the CAS provides relevant financial
information to stakeholders for decision making and planning.

5.0 Summary and Conclusion

The study showed that quality of computerized accounting systems affects the quality of financial reports of banks
to a great extent. The aspects of computerized accounting systems affect the quality of reports of the bank to a
great extent include timeliness, speed, accuracy and quality of package used. It was observed that, the quality of
the financial reports are good with the majority agreeing that the information in the reports are accurate, helps in
accountability, improve quality of financial report in the bank and relevant.
This finding agrees with what Amveko (2011) studied in which she aimed to identify the impact of
computerized accounting information systems on financial reporting in Kampala, the financial reports generated
conform to some of the quality attributes of good financial information. This was emphasized by a positive
correlation of response on quality attributes of timeliness and accuracy though it was on a low scale her findings
were that computerized. The study concludes that computerized accounting systems factoring in its speed,
timeliness, accuracy reliability and the possibility of producing quality data affect the quality of financial reports
of the banks in Ghana.

5.1 Recommendations for Policy

From the study findings, it was clear that computerized accounting system in terms of its speed, timeliness,
accuracy and quality of reports generated, affects the quality of financial reports of the bank. The study therefore
recommends that in order to ensure that the bank have quality understandable reports; they should invest in
computerized accounting system since it is seen to affect the financial reports to a great extent

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