Impact of Internal Control System and Financial Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The success of every organisation depends on her financial capacity, which plays a fundamental role in production. In recent time, poor financial capacity among industries in the Nigerian productive sector has resulted into poor internal Control policies. This study investigated the impact of internal control and financial performance on small and medium scale enterprises in Kebbi State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design research was adopted. The estimated workers’ population of all respondents selected as of 2025 were 2,200 which consist of CEO’s, Managers, and Internal control units of the various SMEs in Kebbi State, Nigeria. A total of 338 respondents were sampled for the study using simple random sampling technique. A self-designed questionnaire was administered. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient Analysis was employed to test the five hypotheses with a two-tailed test of significance at P<0.01 level. The results revealed that there is a significant relationship between individual internal control components and financial performance of small and medium enterprises in Kebbi state Nigeria. There also exists combined relationship between the internal control components (control environment, risk assessment, control activities, monitoring, information, and communication) and financial performance of small and medium enterprises in Kebbi state NNigeria. The study recommends regular and timely financial audits to help SMEs detect any gaps in their financial systems and financial performance. The management of the SME should conduct an annual evaluation of the financial reporting process and implement an internal audit system that permits monitoring of operational efficiency. The study also suggests that a frequent risk assessment be conducted so that SME management may determine whether or not their goals will be reached. In addition to implementing proper controls in the custody and disposal of assets, the management of a small to medium-scale enterprise (SME) should consider; control activities and information, and communication in order to improve financial performance.