Determinants of the Quality of Accounting Information at Brazilian Federal Universities
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Abstract
This research examined the determinants of the quality of accounting information at Brazilian federal universities, from a contingency
perspective, focusing on both internal and external factors that influence the information disclosed by these institutions. Understanding these
determinants is relevant for improving financial transparency and decision-making in public higher education. An explanatory and quantitative
approach was adopted to analyze secondary data and documentary sources. A sample of 62 federal universities was studied, and their quality of
accounting information was assessed using the index developed by Beest et al. (2009). Seven variables, based on contingency theory, were tested
using an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple regression model. The findings revealed that internal factors —such as administrative efficiency,
the number of accounting professionals, the presence of a female dean, and governance quality —have a significant impact on the quality of
accounting information. On the other hand, external factors like socio-economic development in education and university location (capital vs.
interior) did not significantly affect the quality of information. The study concluded that internal factors play a more critical role than external
ones in determining quality of accounting information in Brazilian federal universities. These insights are valuable for university management and
control bodies to focus on enhancing internal characteristics, such as administrative efficiency, technical structure, governance and leadership, in
the production of information useful for decision-making.
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