An Analysis Of Factors Affecting Financial Control In The Ministry Of Land Reform

Abstract

The research focused on analysing factors affecting financial control using the Ministry

of Land Reform’s Windhoek head office as a case study. It sought to satisfy the following

objectives: To investigate reasons for non-compliance with the State finance Act in the

Ministry of Land Reform; To identify strategies to enhance the effectiveness of financial

control in the ministry of Land Reform and; To examine ways of monitoring financial

transactions within the ministry.

Literature which informed this study was reviewed from current sources not more than 10

years old where gaps of what remains to be investigated were identified. The researcher

used literature review to demonstrate where past researchers agreed or disagreed and used

identification of research methodologies used to find a unique methodology or research

sample that would assist in substantiating the findings of those past researchers. A

qualitative research methodology was used over the total thirty (30) finance department

staffs to solicit their perceptions on the research topic using an interview guide as a

research instrument. The research made use of both secondary and primary data sources

and used logistic regression technique to test the validity of the stated research hypotheses.

Demographic analysis was done in tabular form to find out the real demographics within

the finance department of the Ministry of Land Reform. Major findings included the

problem of understaffing in the internal audit function, independent of internal auditors

which increased audit risk within the ministry and also the mismatch of financial

department positions and qualifications held. The registration with professional bodies by

finance staff was still at its infancy which was again a disturbing phenomenon which

affected financial control initiatives.

The research ends with summarised research findings as well as research conclusions the

researcher arrived at. The research recommends that the Ministry should have stand-alone

internal audit department strengthened by the audit committee and auditing software. The

financial control needs to be strengthen by seek continually improvements to keep up with

technological changes and recruiting sufficient staff members specialised in different

specialisation , finance staff members to be given training on regular bases, the finance

staffs to be encouraged to register with professional bodies and the Ministry should give

attention to financial monitoring. Finally the study recommend financial risk management

in public sector organisation, cost-benefit analysis of financial control in Namibia and

auditing and financial control in Namibia’s public sector as a research areas for future

researchers.