Professional accountants’ competences and the quality of financial reporting in Office of Prime Minister.

Abstract

The study was about the relationship between professional accountants’ competences and the quality of financial reporting in Office of Prime Minister. The objectives of the study were; to establish the relationship between accountants’ technical knowledge and financial reporting in Office of Prime Minister, to evaluate the relationship between accountants’ ethical and professional skills and financial reporting in Office of Prime Minister and to assess the relationship between accountants’ communication skills and financial reporting in Office of Prime Minister. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design and cross-sectional. The study used a quantitative research approaches focusing on accountants’ competences and financial reporting in government ministries. The study considered a sample size of 138 respondents. The study used simple random sampling and purposive sampling technique. This study used a closed-ended questionnaire structured on a 5-point Likert scale to collect quantitative data efficiently and ensure clarity and relevance in responses. It was chosen for its ease of administration, high response rate, and ability to maintain respondent confidentiality. The data was edited for accuracy and analyzed using SPSS Ver. 23, applying both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results, including correlations and regression analyses, were presented using tables and figures for clarity. The regression analyses show weak but statistically significant positive relationships between financial reporting and accountants’ technical knowledge (r = 0.158, p = 0.002), ethical/professional skills (r = 0.055, p = 0.003,), and communication skills (r = 0.051, p = 0.005). The findings suggest the need to also strengthen internal controls, compliance, and reporting tools for greater improvement. The study concluded that accountants’ technical knowledge, ethical skills, and communication abilities all have statistically significant but limited effects on financial reporting quality in Government Ministries in Uganda. Enhancing reporting quality requires a holistic approach that also strengthens internal controls, compliance, and modern reporting systems. The study recommended that to improve financial reporting, government ministries should enhance accountants’ technical, ethical, and communication skills through targeted training, modern tools, mentorship, and strong ethical frameworks. Emphasis should also be placed on collaboration, tailored reporting, and continuous professional development.