Accounting and Financial Management Internal Control and Application Plan in Selected NGOs in Lomé, Togo

Abstract

The revelation of enormous financial scandals about firms, charities organizations or NGOs (Non-Government Organizations), including issues such as fraud, were related to accounting and financial management internal control. This research paper sought to access the accounting and financial internal control and their application in selected NGOs in Lomé, Togo. The study was guided by the following questions: what are the principles underlying effective internal controls system that are practiced in the selected NGOs? What challenges are selected NGOs confronted with when applying effective internal controls in the operations? What steps are needed to build effective internal control in selected NGOs in Togo? The quantitative descriptive study method was used to collect and analyze data. Self administrated questionnaire was the main instrument for collecting primary data. Questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The major findings of this study revealed that a majority (71%) of respondents did not have an accounting and financial manual. The findings revealed challenges and the results of this study suggested that following steps such as monitoring, self auditing and periodical review of accounting manuals may help to build an effective accounting and financial internal control.