Ethics as a Moderator on Knowledge Requirement of Accountants and Fraud Risk Assessment in Nigerian Public Sector

This paper discussed the moderating effect of professional ethics on knowledge requirement of accountants and fraud risk assessment in Nigerian public sector. The research was carried out using quantitative approach and cross-sectional research design, survey method of data collection and a self-selection (convenience) sampling technique. Primary data was collected through questionnaire. The population of the study comprised of the 10,196 Nigerian public sector accountants from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, out of which a sample size of 404 was scientifically selected. The dependent variable is Fraud Risk Assessment; the independent variable is Professional Knowledge Requirement whereas the moderator is Professional Ethics. Descriptive statistics and Partial Least Square Structural Equation, reflective measurement model was used while Stata version 17.0 was the research technique. The result of the study revealed that Knowledge Requirement has significant positive effect on fraud risk assessment and professional ethics significantly moderated Professional Knowledge Requirement accountants and fraud risk assessment. The study recommended that, accountants should seek for means of growing in knowledge to be able to effectively discharge their responsibilities. There should be conscious efforts at exposing accountants to the basic codes relevant to the accounting profession as issued by the various accounting bodies both locally and internationally.