The impact of internal control system on financial accountability in the Gambia public sector

This project delves into the examination of the impact of internal control systems on financial accountability within the public sector of The Gambia. Persistent deficiencies in public financial management, such as insufficient internal controls and misappropriation of funds, considerably diminish financial accountability, corroding public confidence and impeding the provision of essential services. The primary objective of this study is to bridge the gap in empirical evidence specific to The Gambia by analyzing how the elements of internal control systems—namely, control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring and evaluation affect financial accountability. The study employs a thorough quantitative research methodology, utilizing current data and multiple regression analysis to establish the correlations between these internal control elements and financial accountability. The results reveal that although control environment and monitoring exert a substantial influence on financial accountability, the impact of control activities is less significant. These findings offer valuable insights into the present condition of internal controls in the public sector of The Gambia and present suggestions for enhancing financial accountability through enhanced internal control mechanisms