Moderating Effect of Board Governance on the Relationship between Audit Task Complexity and Financial Reporting Timeliness in Nigeria: Evidence from Industrial Goods Firms

Akrawah Dennis ONUTOMAHA; N.A. EMEKA-NWOKEJI

Akrawah Dennis ONUTOMAHA Chukwuemeka Ogumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State
N.A. EMEKA-NWOKEJI Chukwuemeka Ogumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State

Keywords: Agency Theory, Auditor Task Complexity, Board Governance, Financial Reporting Timeliness

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between audit task complexity and financial reporting timeliness with the moderating effect of board governance. The expo-facto research design was adopted to sample 10 Industrial Goods Firms listed in the Nigeria Exchange Group for the period covering 2014 to 2023 through simple random sampling technique and analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and panel regression technique. The findings revealed that audit task complexity has no significant positive effect on financial reporting timeliness, board governance has a significant positive effect on financial reporting timeliness while the moderating relationship between board governance and audit task complexity has a significant positive effect on financial reporting timeliness. It was recommendation that management should be aware that the interaction between audit task complexity and would significantly enhance timeliness lags associated with financial reporting.