Effect of Budgetary Control and Financial Performance ....
Effect of Budgetary Control and Financial Performance ....
Effect of Budgetary Control and Financial Performance ....
e-ISSN: 2321-5933, p-ISSN: 2321-5925.Volume 10, Issue 3 Ser. V (May. – June 2019), PP 34-42
www.iosrjournals.org
Abstract: The successful provision of basic banking products and services must not be devoid of an effective
budget control system, if the organizational goals and objectives are to be achieved. A detailed review of past
studies shows that they were carried out either on a different context or interrogated different conceptual issues.
In addition, some of the past empirical studies focused on different research methodologies and adopted
different data collection instruments. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of budgetary control
on financial performance of selected commercial banks in Kenya. The study specifically sought to establish the
effect of budget planning, budget implementation, budget control and budget review on financial performance of
selected commercial banks in Kenya. The study adopted a cross sectional descriptive design and the target
population was the employees in credit, accounting/finance and operations departments in three selected
commercial banks. Both secondary and primary data was used and analyzed using trend analysis, multiple
regression analysis and descriptive analysis. The study results indicated that budgetary planning has a positive
and significant effect on financial performance (P = 0.000). In addition, the study found that budget
implementation was found to have positive and significant effect on financial performance (P= 0.000). Further,
budget control had a positive and significant effect on financial performance (P = 0.021). Also, the study found
that budget review was also found to have positive and significant effect on financial performance (P= 0.001).
The study found that budget planning had the most significant effect on financial performance of selected
commercial banks in Kenya followed by budget implementation, budget review and budget control. The study
recommends that the managers of the banks should review their current performance yearly targets, work on
threats and opportunities and analyses the success and failure of previous plans so as to improve on their
budgetary planning. Further, the managers in commercial banks should establish more budgeting centers,
employ more budget officers and provide budget manual in order to improve on their budgetary control. In
addition, they should solicit feedback, review budget conference for accuracy and arrange for catering and
other vendors so as to improve on the budget conference.
Key Words: Budget Planning, Budget Implementation, Budget Control, Budget Review, Financial
Performance.
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Date of Submission: 20-06-2019 Date of acceptance: 04-07-2019
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differences between the planned budget and the outcome as well as increasing firm efficiency and reducing cost
(Alesina & Perotti, 1996).
The banking sector in Kenya operates in a relatively deregulated environment governed by the
companies‟ Act, the Banking Act, the CBK Act and the various prudential guidelines issued by the CBK. In
Kenya, there are a total of 42 banks which are all for the same market share (CBK, 2017). Before 1983, the
formal banking system in the country was dominated by state owned banks that had a monopoly in terms of
their spread and operations. With the passage of the universal banking law however, all types of banking can be
conducted under a single corporate banking entity and this greatly reorganises the competitive scopes of several
banking products in Kenya (CBK, 2017). Thus, reforms and deregulation has brought the banking sector into the
competitive arena in terms of customers and products.With budgetary control systems being at the center of
increasing organizational efficiency and controlling costs, then the need to examine the role of the system in
organization‟s financial performance is of paramount importance.
*The study formulated and tested hypotheses (for each specific objective) at 0.05 significance level.
V. Review of Literature
a. Theoretical review
The study was anchored on four theories: financial accessibility theory, goal setting theory, financial
intermediation theory and efficiency structure theory. Financial accessibility theory focuses on the process of
ensuring access to appropriate financial products and services needed by all sections of the society in general
and vulnerable groups such as weaker sections and low income groups in particular, at an affordable cost, in a
fair and transparent manner, by mainstream institutional players (Emmanuel & Otley, 2005). This theory is
relevant to this study because it focuses on inclusive financial sector that provides „access‟ to credit for all
„bankable‟ people and firms. This refers to commercial banks whose main business is credit facilities; good
budgetary control lead to better provision of credit hence more financial accessibility and in turn better
performance for the banks. Goal setting theory shows that precise targets increase the level of performance as
compared to low targets such as the call to “do ones best”. A budget helps in setting organizations goals for a
specific period. Budgets should be challenging, simple to accomplish budgets do not motivate staff to perform.
Setting high goals sets the bar high, hence obtaining self-satisfaction. Achieving goals makes one have a keen
sense of effectiveness. Accomplishing goals also increases organizational obligation hence affecting the staff
retention behavior, failure to accomplish goals has a negative impact on sales. It also increases bond between
high targets and performance (Grant & Cavanagh, 2007).
Financial Intermediation Theory indicates that financial intermediaries are explained through two
aspects: ability to provide liquidity and the ability to change the risk feature of assets. In the two cases, financial
intermediation is concerned with minimizing the cost of transactions between lenders and borrowers which in
turn leads to efficiency in resource allocation. This theory is applicable in this study because it focuses on
existence of financial intermediaries that assist the efficient functioning of markets; good budgetary control lead
to better engagement of intermediaries‟ hence better performance for the banks (Freedman & Perry, 2010).
Efficiency structure theory (ES) suggests that enhanced managerial and scale efficiency leads to higher
concentration and then to higher profitability. From this theory, it is possible to conclude that bank performance
is also influenced by both internal factors. The internal factors include money transfer services efficiency among
others. The efficiency structure hypothesis is the proposition that more efficient companies are better compete,
develop and grow in scale, thus resulting in an increase in the degree of market concentration. The theory is
relevant to this study because it focuses on enhanced management and efficiency which is related to budgetary
control; and further links them to higher profitability which is related to financial performance.
b. Empirical Review
Ghimire and Abo (2013) researched on budgetary control and performance of Ivorian SMEs. Data
collection was done from SMEs operators in both urban and rural areas. The study deployed descriptive survey
design. Moreover, structured questionnaires were deployed. The research showed that budgetary control
influenced the performance of SMEs. The study results further revealed that the key factors affecting SMEs
performance were lack of enough budgeting skills and information asymmetry. Nevertheless the research was
on SMEs and not on banking sector which is a research gap to be filled by the current study. Gachanja, Etyang
and Wawire (2008) studied budgeting as a factor of productivity change in the manufacturing industry in Kenya.
Study findings revealed that from 2001 to 2005 the industry recorded a negative growth in productivity.
Nevertheless, the study findings failed to reveal whether the negative growth was as result of budgeting controls
or market competence or performance of the intermediary. The study found that budgeting indeed influenced
productivity through other factors or intermediaries. Nevertheless, the study was concerned with productivity
and not performance; a gap the current study sought to fill.
Ambetsa (1998) investigated the impact of budgeting practices on the performance of commercial
airlines at Wilson Airport, Nairobi. Study findings revealed that the poor performance was as a result of poor
cooperation in budgeting process, lack of top management support, and inadequate skills on budget evaluations.
It was further revealed that business performance in airline sector was planned implemented and evaluated by
use of budget. According to the research it was concluded that all businesses perform planning by use of
budgets. The budgeting is formal and systematic in some businesses while in others it is informal. Generally all
enterprises have some budgeting control processes. Therefore the key concern was how to prepare an effective
budget. Muthoni (2016) researched on the influence of budgeting on SMEs credit accessibility and performance
in Nairobi, Kenya. The research purposed to reveal the relationship between the variables. The research was
mainly concerned with imperfect information theory. The research relied on secondary data source from
financial records of enterprises as from 2008 to 2012. Descriptive survey design was deployed. Results showed
that budgeting had a significant influence on credit accessibility and return on investments for SMEs.
Nevertheless the study depended on secondary data and also was done on SMEs and not on commercial banks.
This is a research gap which needs to be filled by the study.
Abdullahi and Angua (2012) investigated budgeting control and its impact on performance of small
industries in Nigeria. The research targeted on 16 small industries in Nigeria. The research deployed descriptive
survey design Simple random sampling was deployed for selection eighty entrepreneurs in these industries.
Study findings revealed that budgeting influenced performance of SMEs in Nigeria. However, the research only
focused on Small industries that were within the town location; this is a gap that needs to be filled by the current
study. Muhura (2012) studied budgeting capabilities and the performance of Airtel Kenya. The research used
descriptive research design. Results showed that budgeting capability influenced company‟s performance. The
study findings further revealed that the telecommunication company performed better because of good
budgeting in the field of human resource, physical infrastructure and distribution of network. Through budgeting
the company was able to incorporate innovation, market research and manpower development. Nevertheless, the
research was only concerned with Airtel Kenya and not a commercial bank; this is a research gap that needs to
be filled by the current study.
Lilly and Juma (2014) investigated strategic capabilities and its impact on performance of public
universities. The study used semi-structured questionnaire and used a descriptive research design. The research
concluded that budgeting as a capability positively affects performance of public universities. However, the
research only focused on different conceptual concepts and only discussed budgeting as a capability. Moreover,
the study focused on public universities and not commercial banks; another gap the current study sought to fill.
Gachithi (2010) researched on the challenges of implementing budgets in public institutions. Results of the
study showed that budgets are important in predicting the future of an organization hence good for planning,
controlling and communicating the performance to all departments of the organization. Nevertheless, findings
revealed that budgeting is not the key motivator for good performance of employees. Study findings further
revealed that inadequate allocation of funds in the departments was the key challenge hindering implementation
of budgets in public organizations.
VI. Methodology
Cross sectional descriptive design was used in this study and the target population was staff in credit,
finance and operations departments in the three selected commercial banks: KCB Limited, Equity Bank Limited
and Cooperative Bank Limited. The study used purposive sampling in the selection of a sample size of 33
respondents in the credit, finance and operations department to participate in the study. The study obtained
secondary data through a data collection form that indicated the performance of the selected banks. However,
the research used semi- structured questionnaires in the collection of primary data. The questionnaire
incorporated both open-ended and closed ended questions.
Data analysis process involved data clean up, data editing and data coding. The study deployed
descriptive statistics which comprises of means together with standard deviation .The study further used
multiple regression analysis. The study deployed frequency tables, percentages and means for presentation of
data during data analysis. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program version 21 was used to analyze
data. The relationship between the dependent variable (Y) and the independent variable (X) was tested using
multiple linear regression model as shown below.
Y = β0+ β1X1+ β2X2 + β3X3 + β4X4 +ε
Where: Y = Financial Performance; Β0 = Intercept; X1 = Budget planning; X2 = Budget
implementation; X3 = Budget control; X4 = Budget review; β1-β4 = Coefficients; ε = Error term.
a. Descriptive Statistics
1. Budgetary Planning
The results indicated that there was discussion between the management and subordinate staff of the
three selected banks in the goals to be met. In addition, the selected commercial banks were preparing budgets
to improve on their operational efficiency. In regard to the frequency of budget preparation, the study found that
most of budget preparations in the banks studied were conducted on annual basis followed by quarterly and
monthly basis respectively.
A shown in Table 1, the staff strongly agreed that program activities were clearly indicated. Moreover,
they strongly agreed that they have clear target results in the budget. In addition, they agreed that they identified
high priority programs to be included in the budget. They also agreed that they discussed targets to be met with
their team members. Further, they agreed that programs and plans were the basis for allocating funds.
Furthermore, the staff agreed that planning guided their operations as far as resource allocation was concerned.
2. Budget Implementation
The results indicated that the three commercial banks failed to outsource consultation services to
improve on their budget implementation. In addition, credit, accounting/finance and operations departments
prepared a budget prior to overall budget. Further, the results indicate that most of the staff operating from the
three selected banks were not involved in the budget implementation. This implied the three commercial banks
failed to consider the aspect of staff participation as a key management function. Further, the staff revealed that,
financial targets of the three commercial banks were setup in the budget. This is an indication that setting
financial target had significant effect on financial performance of the three selected commercial banks. Also,
more than half of the staffs in the working in the three selected banks were aware of their responsibilities in each
department while the rest were not conversant. This implied that most of the employees in the three selected
commercial banks were aware of their responsibilities in each department.
3. Budget Control
The results indicate that budgetary control contributes positively to the performance of the banks. In
addition, the study found that budgetary controls affect performance of the three banks. The results further
indicated that budgetary control assists in the assessment of the level of performance this implied that the
management of the three banks studied had implemented budgetary control as a way of improving on their
financial performance. In addition the study found that budgeting affect performance evaluation of commercial
banks. The findings agree with the findings of Koech (2015) budgeting affect performance of banks in Kenya.
4. Budget Review
The results showed that there was no system that was put in place for proper management with
explanation of significant variation between budgeted and actual financial status. In addition, most of the
commercial banks‟ budgets failed to have performance indicators that can be used to assess the progress in
meeting policy goals. Also, budgetary processes in the three selected commercial banks were conducted
annually.
The staff in the three selected commercial banks agreed that top management organizes meetings for
performance review. They also agreed that budget adjustments were done in the bank as need arises. Moreover,
they agreed that continuous comparison of budgets and actual results were done. Further, they agreed that
deviations are normally. Furthermore, they agreed that there was clear tracking of results in the banks.
5. Financial Performance
As depicted in Figure 1, in the year 2016, Kenya Commercial Bank Limited had the highest net income
(28,482 million) compared to Equity Bank Limited and Cooperative Bank Limited. Comparative Bank Limited
made the lowest net income (14,073 million) in the year 2015. The results also revealed that in spite of
fluctuation in the net income of commercial banks, the Kenya Commercial Bank Limited had the highest net
income from the period of 2014 to 2017 compared to Equity Bank Limited and Cooperative Bank. This implied
that the Kenya Commercial Bank Limited generated the highest income (from the year 2014 to 2017) compared
to other financial institutions.
According to the findings, as shown in Figure 2, Equity Bank Limited had the highest percentage of
ROA (7.26%) compared to Cooperative Bank Limited and Kenya Commercial Banks during the financial year
of 2014. The findings also show that Cooperative Bank Limited had the lowest percentage of ROA (4.14%) in
the year 2015. Further, the results revealed that the ROA of Cooperative Bank Limited drastically declined by
2.28% in the year 2014 compared to other banks (Equity Bank Limited and Kenya Commercial Bank Limited).
The results revealed that the ROE of Equity Bank Limited drastically declined from the year 2014 to
the year 2017. The Cooperative Bank Limited experienced the lowest ROE in the year 2015 compared to Kenya
Commercial Bank Limited and Equity Bank Limited.
b. Inferential Analysis
The study used multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between independent (budget
planning, budget implementation, budget control and budget review) and dependent variable (financial
performance). The multiple regression models were as follows:
Y = β0 +β1X1 + β2X2 + β3X3 + β4X4 +ε
Where: Y indicates financial performance, B0 was a Constant, β1- β3 were Coefficients of determination, X1
represents budget planning, X2 represents budget implementation, X3 represents budget control, X4 budget
review and ε symbolized Error term.
The R-square of 0.7499 indicate that the 74.99 per cent variation in the financial performance is explained by
budget planning, budget implementation, budget control and budget review collectively.
Table 5 above indicates a strong positive correlation between budgetary control and financial
performance of Commercial banks studied (R= 0.866). In addition, the coefficient of determination indicates
that about 74.99 percent of changes in financial performance are explained by budgetary control.
Table 6 below indicates the overall goodness of fit.
Contribution to Knowledge
The current study contributes to the knowledge body by providing information that can be used in
identifying research gaps and empirical review. The study also adds information to the body knowledge
regarding the effect of budgetary control on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. In relation to
finance practice, the study provides information on how budgetary control in terms of budget planning, budget
implementation and budget review affects the performance of commercial banks.
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