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  2. Vol 2 Issue 2, 2020
  3. THE ROLE OF ACCOUNTING PRACTICES IN THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN THE BONO NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME.
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OHENE-DJAN BENJAMIN

THE ROLE OF ACCOUNTING PRACTICES IN THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN THE BONO NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME.

The goal of the study was to assess the role of accounting practices in promoting expenditure control at the National Health Insurance Scheme, Bono region. The case study research design was employed with questionnaire as the main data collection tool. The target population was management and account staff of the twelve (12) municipal and district schemes and the regional office constituting a sample of 122 officers. The data was analysed using both descriptive (percentages, frequencies, mean and standard deviations) and inferential statistical tools (multiple regression analysis). The study revealed that the NHIS has accounting practices and procedures that emphasis the basic accounting cycle such as documentations, the use of journal and ledgers, preparation of trail balance, financial statements and provision of authorization and approval. Expenditure control practices that been practiced in the various schemes include uniform policies and procedures, the use of authorization and approval, segregation of duties, verifications, among others. There are also challenges mitigating against the application of the accounting practices including delays in approval from the head office or the unavailability of scheme manager, the threshold is very small and the allowable expenditures create undue delay in operations. The results indicate that accounting practices in the NHIS influence expenditure control practices. The study recommends to the National Health Insurance Authority to build the capacity of management members by training these officers of the various schemes on the accounting practices and procedures, and the public expenditure management practices to equip them in exercising and managing the scheme’s finances.