Going Concern and Audit Opinion of Nigerian Banking Industry

This paper investigates the relationship between going concern and audit opinion of banks in Nigeria using financial ratio between 2007 and 2012. The study employed secondary source data collection obtained from published financial statements of selected banks and the Factbooks of Nigerian Stock Exchange. Multivariate regressions were employed to determine the effect of financial ratios used as going concern indices such as deposit to total asset (proxy for liquidity), return on capital employed (profitability measure) solvency, operating cashflow to total liabilities and growth on audit opinion. The result reveal that solvency, liquidity (DPA) and profitability (ROCE) have significant relationships with audit opinion. Furthermore, the study showed that going concern could be a signal of financial distress as it reveals the status and capability of banks to continue in operation. Finally, the study recommends the Central Bank of Nigeria should put in place policies that can enhance financial strength and stability of banks. The Nigerian Financial Reporting Council and other regulatory bodies, in line with best practices, should try to organize training and workshops to improve financial skills and expertise of auditors for quality reporting in Nigeria banking industry