FACTORS INFLUENCING DIGITALIZED ACCOUNTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SELECTED FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

The integration of digital technologies into accounting management practices has become a critical driver of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in higher education institutions. This study examined the factors influencing digitalized accounting management practices in selected federal universities in Southwest Nigeria. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to accounting and finance staff, and analyzed with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify underlying dimensions. The PCA results revealed that two dominant components — system adoption and user support and organizational readiness and managerial commitment — jointly explained over 54% of the total variance in digitalized accounting practices. Ancillary components relating to staff competence, infrastructure availability, and application utilization also contributed to shaping the effectiveness of digital accounting systems. The findings underscore that digitalization in accounting cannot be achieved by technology acquisition alone but requires leadership commitment, resource allocation, continuous staff training, and reliable infrastructure. This study concludes that a socio-technical approach, combining technology with institutional support and managerial commitment, is essential for the sustainability of digitalized accounting in Nigerian universities. It recommends that university leadership strengthen training, provide technical support, invest in infrastructure, institutionalize digital practices, and align policies with regulatory frameworks to enhance transparency and accountability. These findings contribute to both theory and practice by demonstrating that successful digital accounting adoption in higher education is as much an organizational transformation process as it is a technological advancement.