Internal Controls and Financial Reporting Accuracy in Hotels: The Role of Management Commitment and Employee Training
Authors
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study examines the mediating role of management commitment and employee training in the relationship between internal control systems and financial reporting accuracy in the Ghanaian hotel sector. The study uses an exploratory quantitative research design and structured questionnaires to capture data from 402 employees in the hotels in the Sekondi-Takoradi area. Based on the PLS-SEM analysis, the study found a positive relationship between internal control systems and the accuracy of financial reporting, where management commitment acts as a mediator. However, employee training was found not to be a significant mediating factor in the relationship. These results show the necessity of top management’s engagement in developing and sustaining effective internal control systems for enhancing financial reporting and reliability in the hospitality sector. The study presents practical implications for policy and practice, where hotel managers are encouraged to pay attention to internal controls and management's commitment to improve their employees' training to correct reporting of financial statements. Several practical implications are outlined for the hotel managers as well as the regulatory bodies, especially the provision of increased management, training, and compliance checks to enhance internal control mechanisms. This research advances the understanding of corporate governance in hotels and the context of developing countries. Future research should explore the role of digital accounting systems and AI-driven financial controls in improving financial reporting accuracy.
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2025 Richmell Baaba Amanamah, Prince Dacosta Anaman, Ibrahim Anyass Ahmed, John Amoh Quayson, Benjamin Akyen, Christian Donkor

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.
Abed, I. A., Hussin, N., Haddad, H., Almubaydeen, T. H., & Ali, M. A. (2022). Creative accounting determination and financial reporting quality: the integration of transparency and disclosure. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(1), 38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8010038
Acquah, I. S. K., Essel, D., Baah, C., Agyabeng-Mensah, Y., & Afum, E. (2021). Investigating the efficacy of isomorphic pressures on the adoption of green manufacturing practices and its influence on organizational legitimacy and financial performance. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 32(7), 1399–1420. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-10-2020-0404
Ajao, O. S., & Oluwadamilola, A. O. (2020). Internal control systems and quality of financial reporting in insurance industry in Nigeria. Journal of Finance and Accounting, 8(5), 212–220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfa.20200805.12
Aksom, H., & Tymchenko, I. (2020). How institutional theories explain and fail to explain organizations. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 33(7), 1223–1252. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-05-2019-0130
Aksoy, T., & Saglam, M. (2020). Examining the effects of internal control system on crisis management skills: The case of IMM fire service department. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 9(6), 274–288. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v9i6.922
Alawaqleh, Q. A. (2021). The effect of internal control on employee performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Jordan: The role of accounting information system. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 8(3), 855–863.
Ali, C. Ben. (2020). Agency theory and fraud. In Corporate Fraud Exposed: A Comprehensive and Holistic Approach (pp. 149–167). Emerald Publishing Limited. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78973-417-120201009
Ampofo, J. A. (2020). Contributions of The hospitality industry (Hotels) in the development of Wa municipality in Ghana. International Journal of Advanced Economics, 2(2), 21–38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51594/ijae.v2i2.155
Andersson, H., Svensson, A., Frank, C., Rantala, A., Holmberg, M., & Bremer, A. (2022). Ethics education to support ethical competence learning in healthcare: an integrative systematic review. BMC Medical Ethics, 23(1), 29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-022-00766-z
Arif, S., & MacNeil, M. A. (2022). Utilizing causal diagrams across quasi‐experimental approaches. Ecosphere, 13(4), e4009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4009
Awuah-Gyawu, D. (2023). Missiological Responses to the Wounded Youth: A Case Study of the Campus Ministry of Scripture Union in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Stellenbosch University.
Beusch, P., Frisk, J. E., Rosén, M., & Dilla, W. (2022). Management control for sustainability: Towards integrated systems. Management Accounting Research, 54, 100777. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mar.2021.100777
Cohen, J. R., Joe, J. R., Thibodeau, J. C., & Trompeter, G. M. (2020). Audit partners’ judgments and challenges in the audits of internal control over financial reporting. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 39(4), 57–85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2308/AJPT-18-088
Commey, V., Akonnor, P. O., Commey, D., & Mensah, N. O. (2023). Prospects and Challenges of Property Management System in the Hotel Industry in Ghana: Evidence from Seleected Hotels in the Kumasi, Ghana. International Journal of Innovation and Development, 1(1).
Danso, J. K. (2023). Effect of internal control systems on Ghanaian manufacturing firms’ performance a moderating role of internal audit effectiveness. University of Education, Winneba.
Davis, P. E., Bendickson, J. S., Muldoon, J., & McDowell, W. C. (2021). Agency theory utility and social entrepreneurship: issues of identity and role conflict. Review of Managerial Science, 15, 2299–2318. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-020-00423-y
DeFond, M., & Zhang, J. (2014). A review of archival auditing research. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 58(2–3), 275–326. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2014.09.002
Estep, C., Griffith, E. E., & MacKenzie, N. L. (2024). How do financial executives respond to the use of artificial intelligence in financial reporting and auditing? Review of Accounting Studies, 29(3), 2798–2831. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11142-023-09771-y
Florou, A., Morricone, S., & Pope, P. F. (2020). Proactive financial reporting enforcement: Audit fees and financial reporting quality effects. The Accounting Review, 95(2), 167–197. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2308/accr-52497
Franklin, B. (2024). Analysis of Environmental Reporting Practices in Hospitality Industry in Ghana. Financial Markets, Institutions and Risks, 8(2), 165–185. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61093/fmir.8(2).165-185.2024
Guerreiro, M. S., Lima Rodrigues, L., & Craig, R. (2021). Institutional theory and IFRS: an agenda for future research. Spanish Journal of Finance and Accounting/Revista Española de Financiación y Contabilidad, 50(1), 65–88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02102412.2020.1712877
Gupta, A. K., & Gupta, N. (2021). Environment practices mediating the environmental compliance and firm performance: An institutional theory perspective from emerging economies. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 22(3), 157–178. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-021-00266-w
Hamed, R. (2023). The role of internal control systems in ensuring financial performance sustainability. Sustainability, 15(13), 10206. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310206
Handoyo, B. R. M., & Bayunitri, B. I. (2021). The influence of internal audit and internal control toward fraud prevention. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 3(1), 45–64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v3i1.181
Hardiningsih, P., Udin, U., Masdjojo, G. N., & Srimindarti, C. (2020). Does competency, commitment, and internal control influence accountability? The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 7(4), 223–233. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2020.vol7.no4.223
Hoai, T. T., Hung, B. Q., & Nguyen, N. P. (2022). The impact of internal control systems on the intensity of innovation and organizational performance of public sector organizations in Vietnam: the moderating role of transformational leadership. Heliyon, 8(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08954
Jan, A. A., Lai, F.-W., Draz, M. U., Tahir, M., Ali, S. E. A., Zahid, M., & Shad, M. K. (2021). Integrating sustainability practices into islamic corporate governance for sustainable firm performance: from the lens of agency and stakeholder theories. Quality & Quantity, 1–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01261-0
Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305–360. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X
Kaawaase, T. K., Nairuba, C., Akankunda, B., & Bananuka, J. (2021). Corporate governance, internal audit quality and financial reporting quality of financial institutions. Asian Journal of Accounting Research, 6(3), 348–366. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJAR-11-2020-0117
Karasioğlu, F., Humta, H., & Göktürk, I. E. (2021). Investigation of Accounting Ethics Effects on Financial Report Quality & Decision Making: Evidence from Kabul-based Logistic Corporations. International Journal of Management, Accounting & Economics, 8(3).
Kesse, F. R., & Ardiansyah, R. (2023). Quality of Regional Government Financial Reports: The Effect of Internal Control, Quality of Human Resources and Implementation of the Accrual Basis. Value Relevance: Jurnal Akuntansi, 1(3), 98–111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58812/wsshs.v1i06.514
Krejcie, R., & Morgan, S. (1970). Sample size determination. Business Research Methods, 4(5), 34–36.
Madawaki, A., Ahmi, A., & Ahmad, H. N. (2022). Internal audit functions, financial reporting quality and moderating effect of senior management support. Meditari Accountancy Research, 30(2), 342–372. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-04-2020-0852
Masanja, N. M. (2024). The Effectiveness of Internal Control System on The Efficiency of Financial Management for Selected Training Institutions In Arusha Tanzania. Contemporary Journal of Education and Business (CJEB).
Matriano, M. T., & Muscat, O. (2022). The impact of internal control systems on the quality of financial reports. GSJ, 10(6).
Meliana, M., & Ansar, R. (2021). Utilization of information technology and Organizational commitment to the reliability of financial statements with Internal Control Moderation. Bongaya Journal of Research in Accounting (BJRA), 4(1), 38–44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37888/bjra.v4i1.262
Meyer, J. W., & Rowan, B. (1977). Institutionalized organizations: Formal structure as myth and ceremony. American Journal of Sociology, 83(2), 340–363. https://doi.org/10.1086/226550 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/226550
Mohajan, H. K. (2020). Quantitative research: A successful investigation in natural and social sciences. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 9(4), 50–79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26458/jedep.v9i4.679
Mveku, B., Mutero, T. T. T., Tagwireyi, M., & Dzingirai, M. (2021). Impact of Enterprise Risk Management on Internal Controls of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 6(6), 115–121.
Mwanzia, F. M. (2021). The effect of risk management on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. University of Nairobi.
Oyelakin, O., & Abdullahi, A. (2022). Assessing the efficacy of employee training and internal control system on financial management of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 13(3), 366–384. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-06-2021-0299
Purwanto, A. (2021). Education research quantitative analysis for little respondents: comparing of Lisrel, Tetrad, GSCA, Amos, SmartPLS, WarpPLS, and SPSS. Jurnal Studi Guru Dan Pembelajaran, 4(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.30605/jsgp.4.2.2021.1326
Raimo, N., Vitolla, F., Marrone, A., & Rubino, M. (2021). Do audit committee attributes influence integrated reporting quality? An agency theory viewpoint. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(1), 522–534. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2635
Ratliff, T. (2022). Effective internal control strategies for an enterprise resource planning system. Walden University.
Reforce, O. (2023). Interrogating Urban Morphological Change in African Cities: Case Study of Ridge, Accra-Ghana. Miami University.
Roszkowska, P. (2021). Fintech in financial reporting and audit for fraud prevention and safeguarding equity investments. Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, 17(2), 164–196. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JAOC-09-2019-0098
Sarens, G., & De Beelde, I. (2006). The relationship between internal audit and senior management: A qualitative analysis of expectations and perceptions. International Journal of Auditing, 10(3), 219–241. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1099-1123.2006.00351.x
Schrank, R. (2021). The Impact of Damage Apportionment on Internal Control System Quality and Financial Reporting Accuracy. Abacus, 57(2), 251–296. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/abac.12204
Setyaningsih, P. R. (2020). Internal Control, Organizational Culture, and Quality of Information Accounting to Prevent Fraud: Case Study Fro.. International Journal of Financial Research, 11(4). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5430/ijfr.v11n4p316
Siedlecki, S. L. (2020). Understanding descriptive research designs and methods. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 34(1), 8–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000493
Soares, A. L. V., Mendes-Filho, L., & Gretzel, U. (2021). Technology adoption in hotels: applying institutional theory to tourism. Tourism Review, 76(3), 669–680. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-05-2019-0153
Solomon, S. J., Bendickson, J. S., Marvel, M. R., McDowell, W. C., & Mahto, R. (2021). Agency theory and entrepreneurship: A cross-country analysis. Journal of Business Research, 122, 466–476. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.09.003
Tetteh, L. A., Kwarteng, A., Aveh, F. K., Dadzie, S. A., & Asante-Darko, D. (2022). The impact of internal control systems on corporate performance among listed firms in Ghana: The moderating role of information technology. Journal of African Business, 23(1), 104–125. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15228916.2020.1826851
Teye, J., Leigh, R. A. T., & Boateng, O. (2023). Assessing the Internal Control System of Cocoa Processing Company, Tema, Ghana. Journal of Human Resource and Sustainability Studies, 11(2), 316–355. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/jhrss.2023.112020
Ushakov, R. N., Kryukova, E. M., Khetagurova, V. S., Mukhomorova, I. V., & Zelenov, V. V. (2020). Efficiency of hotel management. Training of specialists in hotel industry field. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 11(2), 388–395. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14505//jemt.11.2(42).17
Vitolla, F., Raimo, N., Rubino, M., & Garzoni, A. (2020). The determinants of integrated reporting quality in financial institutions. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 20(3), 429–444. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-07-2019-0202
Wan, P., Chen, X., & Ke, Y. (2020). Does corporate integrity culture matter to corporate social responsibility? Evidence from China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 259, 120877. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120877
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis.
Yoro, M. (2024). Impact of Financial Reporting Transparency on Investor Decision-Making. American Journal of Accounting, 6(1), 25–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47672/ajacc.1785
Zucker, L. G. (1987). Institutional theories of organization. Annual Review of Sociology, 13, 443–464. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.13.1.443