Internal Control Systems and Financial Accountability: Evidence from Bolgatanga Hospital

The general purpose of the study was to assess the internal control systems and financial accountability of Bolgatanga central hospital. The target population for the study consisted of management, accounts and audit unit personnel in Bolgatanga public hospitals. The study adopted purposive sampling technique to select the sample respondents. The study used structured questionnaires to collect data. The findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between internal control system, financial accountability and health service delivery and the financial management practices. The independent variables contributed (35.5%) of the variation in financial management practices. The study observed that the guidelines for the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations for a long time has been used indirectly for internal financial controls for non-profit-making organisation like the public hospitals. It is recommended that management should take the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations guideline more seriously especially those in non-profit making organisation like the public hospitals to achieve value for money with the resources at their disposal. It is also recommended that policies and procedures must be observed consistently throughout the Hospitals. Also, irregularities revealed by the internal financial controls system must attract prompt and effective corrective action. To assure continued effectiveness, the Hospitals internal financial control system must be reassessed frequently.