AUDIT COMMITTEE CAPABILITIES AND INTERNET FINANCIAL REPORTING OF LISTED FINANCIAL FIRMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The aim of this research is to look into the impact of audit committee capabilities and internet financial reporting on Nigerian listed financial firms. For this study, a correlation research design was used. All fifty-two (52) financial firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as of April 2020 make up the study's population. A total of 44 financial firms listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange were sampled using a judgemental sampling process. Secondary data for measuring internet financial reporting transparency was extracted from the investor relations sections of each sample firm's corporate website, while secondary data for measuring audit committee capabilities came from the non-financial information section of the sampled firms' annual reports for a five-year period spanning the 2014 to 2018 financial years. The researchers used a pool of ordinary linear regressions to analyse the results. The validity of statistical inferences was tested using a diagnostic test. The study's results reveal that audit committee operation and competency have a significant positive relationship with internet financial reporting. Meanwhile, there is no connection between audit committee independence and audit committee size and internet financial reporting. As a result, the study suggests that regulators allow businesses to disclose financial details through their websites. A series of lectures or workshops should be held to inform the board and management about how the implementation of internet financial reporting will draw in more shareholders, increase transparency, and save money, according to the analysis. This study is restricted to only listed financial firms in Nigeria. Therefore, the findings of this study cannot be generalised. Because this study is limited to listed financial firms in Nigeria, future research can be expanded to other business sectors.