Title: Assessing Management Supports to the Internal Audit System in Bo District Council, Sierra Leone.

Authors:  Sualiho Sheriff

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Abstract^/Summary

The study intended to assess one of the daunting challenges facing the effective operations of Local Councils in Sierra Leone particularly the Bo District Council is the quality of support services that drive accountability in the use of scarce financial resources. The research was carried out in the Bo District Council in Sierra Leone's Southern Region. Bo District Council consists of 16 Chiefdoms, 25 Councilors, 3 Paramount Chiefs, 25 Wards, 16 Committees, 11 Constituencies, and 13 Core Staff Members. The study objectives were; i) to assess the level of respondents' perceptions of management support to the internal audit system; ii) to identify the scale of management support to the internal audit effectiveness, and iii) to establish the relationship between management support and internal audit effectiveness. The 13 core staff members were chosen using a stratified sampling process. The study used a descriptive design, with qualitative and quantitative approaches used to discuss the findings. The Crumb Alpha Test was used to conduct the reliability test, which was found to be valid at 0.765. The study's primary findings include: lack of complete support for the audit committee, lack of independence of internal audit system and insufficient budget allocation.

Title: Evaluating Management Supports to the Internal Audit Function in Kenema District Council, Sierra Leone.

Authors:  Sualiho Sheriff^a*#, Mohamed Paul Ngegba^b

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Abstract^/Summary

Lack of management support and independence greatly hinders internal audit function operations' effectiveness and efficiency. The purpose of this study was to look into the efficiency of management support for the internal audit function in the Kenema District Council in Eastern Sierra Leone. All officers of the Kenema District Council were included in the study. The internal audit procedure was previewed for 13 council officers using a simple random sample technique. From December 13th to December 20th, 2020, the 13 officers were given a pre-tested validated questionnaire with a reliability of 0.765. The majority of respondents said the council creates policy (92.3%), monitors and assesses (76.2%), and accepts audit materials (84.6%). In addition, (53.8%) of respondents strongly believe there is a link between management support and the efficacy of the internal audit function. Finally, the Kenema District Council administration ports the internal audit function in various ways. Some managerial support is insufficient, while others are adequate.

Title: The Impact of Covid-19 on Petty Traders in Bo City Markets, Southern Sierra Leone.

Authors:  Sualiho Sheriff¹, Rev. Micheal Tejan Gbenday²

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Abstract^/Summary

The study primarily intended to assess the impact of Covid-19 on petty trading businesses in Bo City Central Markets in the Southern Sierra Leone. The specific objectives of the study were: i) to analyze the turnover/sales volume of Covid-19 outbreak ii) to analyze the implications of Covid-19 on petty traders in Bo central markets iii) to identify the factors influencing petty traders in Bo City Markets iii) to assess the impact of Covid-19 recovery package in Bo City Central Markets. The methods of data collection include; questionnaire administration and interview guide with the target population of (250) petty traders that represents a sample size of (200) businesses/respondents selected from 10 (ten) central markets in Bo City using stratified random sampling technique. The study adopted a descriptive and mixed method design, and the results/findings discussed in qualitative and quantitative methods. The results converted using, SPSS, tables, frequencies, and percentages. The key findings include: (95%) of petty trading businesses are registered, (95%) complied with Covid-19 control measures, (23%) turnover/sales volume low, (46.5%) average sales/turnover, (4.5%) turnover not reasonable, while (90.5%) of the businesses have been negatively impacted in Bo City Central Markets. Conclusively, the curtailment strategies of Covid-19 have led to the negative impact of the virus on the reduction of sales volume turnover with the adverse effect on profitability, liquidity and equity position of the petty trading businesses. It is also recommended that the Central Government, and other partners should ensure that the Covid-19 recovery package being monitored and equitably distributed, reduction of taxes, ease of restrictions, micro-finance scheme to aid businesses in Bo City Central Markets.

Title: Assessing Management Supports to The Internal Audit Function in Kenema District Council, Eastern Sierra Leone.

Authors:  Sualiho Sheriff¹, Mohamed Paul Ngegba²

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Abstract^/Summary

Internal audit function adds value to organization’s operations, but management support to internal audit function with resources and commitment accomplishes effectiveness. This study attempted to investigate the management support to the internal audit function for its effectiveness in Kenema District Council. The specific objectives were to: 1) examine respondents’ perception on management support to the internal audit function in Kenema District Council; 2) examine the levels of the management support to the internal audit function; and determine the relationship between management support and internal audit function effectiveness. The study employed a descriptive research design. The study was carried out in the Kenema District located in the Eastern Region of Sierra Leone. Kenema District consists of 16 Chiefdoms and 25 Wards, 8 Constituencies and 94 Sections. The research population comprised of all Kenema District Council officers. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 13 council officers who are previewed to the internal audit process. A pre-tested validated questionnaire with reliability of 0.765 was administered to the 13 officers from 13th–20th December, 2020. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and Excel. Most respondents affirmed that the council designs policies (92.3%), monitors and evaluates (76.2%), and approves audit documents (84.6%). Also, (53.8%) of the respondents strongly greed that there is a relationship between management support and internal audit function effectiveness. In conclusion, Kenema District council management supports the internal audit function through various means. Some management supports are insufficient and others sufficient. It is recommended that management improves support rendered to the audit department for effective and efficient operations. Let the internal audit department be independent. Also, the council seriously considers other drivers of internal audit function efficacy.