ABSTRACT

 This research focused on the role of accountants and auditors on the various poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria. The objective of the study among - others was to investigate the opinion of auditors and audit beneficiaries on the legal responsibilities of auditors in poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria. A survey design approach was adopted for the study. Out of a population of 403 professional accountants in Anambra state were randomly selected. The data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentages, frequency count, mean and standard deviation. The hypotheses formulated for this study were tested with the use of statistical tools for population means and level of significance tests. Thus, the five hypotheses in the study were tested using chi-square test or F-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Kendall's coefficient of concordance (W). The study found that there is significant difference among the opinion of auditors and audit beneficiaries on the legal responsibilities of accountants and auditors in poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria. This research study further revealed that the attitude of Professional members of accounting bodies in Nigeria towards joint monitoring of audit firms is counterproductive. Consequent upon the findings, the following recommendations, among others, were made: Users of financial information should be educated on the role and the actual duties of auditors. Professional accounting bodies should seek to promote legislation in the areas of the appointment, remuneration and the removal of auditors as these have important implications for the independence of the auditor. The scope of audit should be expanded to meet market expectations.