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Effect of Public Sector Accounting Education on Students’ Knowledge of Government Financial Management Practices in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Public sector accounting education refers to the teaching and learning of accounting principles, procedures, standards, and practices applicable to government institutions, while knowledge of government financial management practices refers to students’ understanding of how public funds are planned, collected, allocated, controlled, recorded, reported, and monitored. Effective knowledge of government financial management is important for preparing accounting students to understand financial activities within public institutions and contribute to responsible management of public resources. However, inadequate exposure to public sector accounting concepts may limit students’ understanding of government financial management practices. Therefore, this study examines the effect of public sector accounting education on students’ knowledge of government financial management practices in Nigerian universities. Public sector accounting education covers areas such as government revenue and expenditure, public budgeting, public financial reporting, fund accounting, government accounting procedures, financial controls, accountability, and the management of public resources. Through classroom instruction, practical exercises, case studies, and accounting applications, students can develop an understanding of how financial transactions and resources are managed within government institutions. Adequate exposure to these concepts can enable students to understand the procedures used in planning, recording, controlling, and reporting government financial activities. Knowledge of government financial management practices involves students’ understanding of budgeting procedures, revenue management, expenditure control, financial reporting, internal controls, public procurement-related financial processes, and accountability mechanisms within government institutions. Students with adequate knowledge in these areas are better positioned to understand how public resources are managed and how financial decisions are documented and monitored. Public sector accounting education can therefore provide the theoretical and practical foundation required for students to understand government financial management practices effectively. The study will adopt a quantitative research design. The population will comprise accounting education students in selected Nigerian universities, from which an appropriate sample will be selected using a suitable sampling technique. Data will be collected through a structured questionnaire designed to measure public sector accounting education and students’ knowledge of government financial management practices. The instrument will be subjected to appropriate validity and reliability procedures before administration. Descriptive statistics will be used to answer the research questions, while an appropriate inferential statistical technique will be used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The study is expected to establish that public sector accounting education has a significant positive effect on students’ knowledge of government financial management practices. Students who receive stronger exposure to public sector accounting concepts are expected to demonstrate better understanding of government budgeting, revenue, expenditure, financial control, reporting, and accountability processes. The findings may also indicate that practical and comprehensive instruction in public sector accounting can strengthen students’ understanding of financial management activities within government institutions. The findings will have implications for the teaching and learning of public sector accounting in Nigerian universities. Accounting educators may need to combine theoretical instruction with practical activities that demonstrate how government financial management practices operate in real institutional settings. Case studies, government financial documents, budgeting exercises, financial reporting activities, and practical classroom simulations may help students connect public sector accounting concepts with actual financial management processes. This may improve students’ understanding and application of public sector accounting knowledge. The study will be beneficial to accounting education students, lecturers, university administrators, curriculum developers, government institutions, and professional accounting bodies. Students may gain better understanding of public financial management and become more prepared for accounting responsibilities in government institutions. Lecturers may obtain useful information for improving public sector accounting instruction, while curriculum developers and university administrators may use the findings to strengthen relevant components of accounting education. Government institutions and professional bodies may also benefit from graduates with stronger knowledge of public financial management practices. The study recommends that Nigerian universities strengthen public sector accounting education through practical exercises, government financial case studies, budgeting simulations, public financial reporting activities, and exposure to government accounting procedures. Accounting lecturers should emphasize the practical application of public sector accounting concepts and provide students with opportunities to analyze realistic government financial management situations. Universities should also ensure that relevant teaching materials and resources are available for effective instruction. The study concludes that effective public sector accounting education can contribute significantly to improving students’ knowledge of government financial management practices and preparing them for accounting responsibilities in the public sector.

Keywords: Public sector accounting education, government financial management, accounting students, public sector accounting, government budgeting, public revenue, public expenditure, financial control, public financial reporting, government accounting, public accountability, financial management knowledge, accounting education, public funds management, government financial practices