Keyword

Ethical concept, credibility, professional judgment, competence, independence, confidentiality, integrity/objectivity

Abstract

This study is an investigation of the impact of ethical concept on professional judgment in corporate financial reporting. To achieve the purpose of this study, hypothetical statements were made and a critical review of extant literature was examined. The population of the study consisted of registered professional accountants in Rivers State of Nigeria. In order to generate the necessary data for this study, a questionnaire designed in 5-point Likert-Scale was administered on 177 respondents in Rivers State. The data were analysed with the regression model. The findings of the study suggested that ethical concept measured as competence, independence confidentiality and integrity/objective has a positive significant impact on the credibility of professional judgment in financial reporting in Nigeria. Based on the discussion of our findings, it was recommended that – professional judgment in corporate financial reporting in Nigeria must be based on professional ethics; any accountant indulging in unethical conducts in exercising professional judgment should be disciplined accordingly and practicing license be withdrawn, and a regulatory authority should be instituted by accounting professional bodies in collaboration with the government to oversee and regulate the activities of professional accountants in Nigeria


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