Financial Reporting Completeness and the Quality of Audit Reports: Evidence from Kenyan Public Universities
Abstract: Financial reporting completeness is critical to the credibility of financial information and the effectiveness of external auditing in public institutions. In Kenyan public universities, weaknesses in the completeness of financial statements, disclosures, supporting documentation, and reporting of financial obligations may affect audit report quality. This study evaluated the influence of financial reporting completeness on audit report quality in Kenyan public universities. The study was guided by Agency Theory and adopted a positivist research philosophy and cross-sectional research design. The target population comprised 175 respondents drawn from 35 publicly chartered universities in Kenya, including Deputy Vice Chancellors (Finance and Administration), Chief Finance Officers, internal auditors, accountants, and members of audit or finance committees. The study used a census approach at the institutional level, while purposive sampling selected respondents with direct knowledge of financial reporting and audit processes. The study collected primary data using structured questionnaires and obtained secondary data from published financial statements and audit reports. A pilot study involving 40 respondents from four public chartered universities achieved a 100% response rate. Reliability analysis established Cronbach?s alpha coefficients of 0.886 for financial reporting completeness and 0.914 for audit report quality, confirming satisfactory internal consistency. Data from 151 respondents, representing an 86.3% response rate, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression. Descriptive findings indicated that financial reporting completeness was practiced to a moderately high extent (M = 3.68, SD = 1.16). Pearson correlation analysis found a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between financial reporting completeness and audit report quality (r = .711, p
Keywords: Financial Reporting Completeness; Audit Report Quality; Public Universities; Financial Reporting; External Auditing; Agency Theory; Kenya
How to Cite?: John K. Boiywo, Stephene O. Magadi, Ezra K. Ronoh, "Financial Reporting Completeness and the Quality of Audit Reports: Evidence from Kenyan Public Universities", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 86-94, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26919100359, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26919100359