ASSESSING BOOK KEEPING PRACTICES IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES

Case Study: Mercury International Sierra Leone

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the bookkeeping practices of small and medium scale enterprise. The study examines the assessment of bookkeeping practices and its aim. In light of this, one Small and Medium-Scale Enterprise will be taken as case study which- Mercury International (SL) Limited. Bookkeeping is the recording of financial transactions and is part of the process of accounting in business. Transactions include purchases, sales, receipt, and payments by individual person or an organisation. There are two main standards methods of bookkeeping, including the single entry and the double entry bookkeeping systems. The roles of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises can best be sustained through the implementation of fundamental bookkeeping and accounting practices. However, it has been reported that many Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises fail to keep adequate bookkeeping records to generate the much needed accounting information that owner-managers and other users require for their decision making purposes which has led to major problems of weak internal bookkeeping systems of some Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises. This has also resulted in poor planning, weak expense control, low collection of accounts receivable, poor bookkeeping condition, and inadequate information for decision making purposes. The importance of small and medium scale enterprises to economic development of any country whether developing or developed cannot be over emphasized. Small and medium scale enterprises are considered to be one of the driving forces of economic development. They play very important roles in sustaining the national economies and promoting industrial development. To a large extent, small and medium scale enterprises play a significant part in improving the living standard of the entire citizenry by creating goods and/or services, stimulating private ownership and entrepreneurial skills, creating viable sources of revenue to the government for developmental purposes, increasing employment opportunities per unit of capital and aiding the development of local technology. 2 An accounting practice is therefore a day to day implementation of the accounting policies of an organization as distinct from bookkeeping theory. The role of accounting practice in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises will be to prepare the accounts and provide management guidelines and advice. Accounting ensures that not only all identified sources of revenue are efficiently tapped but that such realised revenues are fully accounted for. In terms of accounting for revenues, the requirement is adequate period. This involves maintaining adequate source of documents such as receipts and invoices, and books of accounts such as the cashbook, ledger accounts, balance sheet and other forms of analysis. Ensuring that a business continues as a going concern is also important, the fundamental concern of most small entities and their financial not surprisingly is survival.

FAYIMBA ALUSINE KAMARA

Name: Fayimba Alusine Kamara

University/College: IPAM

Department: Accountancy

Year: 2019

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