The Importance of financial reporting to capital market development in Ghana

Abstract

The finance literature suggest that investment decisions are largely influenced by the quality of corporate financial information released by firms in their financial statements, and that capital market participants use corporate financial information released by firms for investment decisions. Factors that influence the development of capital markets in developing markets include: appropriate legal and regulatory framework, effective securities exchange commission, an active stock exchange market, availability of accurate and reliable information about firms’ financial performance and position. An improved financial reporting environment that produces accurate and high-quality financial reports on a timely basis contributes significantly to the development capital markets in developing economies. It is therefore important that the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG), regulator of accounting practice in Ghana should strengthen its regulatory role to ensure that accountants in Ghana helping generate financial information for firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange are sufficiently knowledgeable and skilled in matters regarding financial reporting and provide financial reports guided by sound reporting ethics and the principle of integrity.