Financial Reporting, Tracking, and Analysis Practices Effect on Financial Performance of Commercial State Corporations in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, legislative acts by parliament establish state corporations to promote social and economic progress. The state corporations advisory committee has identified eight distinct categories of these entities, which include financial, commercial, industrial, regulatory, public universities, training and research, service, regional development authorities, as well as tertiary education corporations. Out of the 33 state corporations in commercial and manufacturing category, 18 fall under manufacturing while 15 are commercial-oriented and therefore by their operational nature expected to make profits or operating surplus. The study focused on the fifteen (15) profit-making state corporations. Most commercial state corporations are in a state of perennial loss-making. Their financial performance trend between 2016-2020, shows that out of the 15 corporations in the commercial sector, only four (26.67%) are sustainable from their operations. This leaves over 73.33% of them struggling to survive and have to depend on government funding to address their liquidity challenges. This study sought to assess the impact of financial reporting and analysis on the financial performance of commercial state corporations in Kenya. The study assumed a descriptive study design. The study used a census procedure since all fifteen State Corporations under the commercial category were studied.  Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The inferential statistics results indicate that financial reporting and analysis have a positive and statistically significant effect on financial performance of commercial SOEs. The study found that improved financial performance was observed upon conducting periodical operational budget estimations, capital project estimations, periodical cash flow projections, and comparison of actual costs and budget variance analysis. The management and finance department to ensure that financial reporting processes are strengthened to enhance accuracy, openness, and compliance with governing requirements.