Optimizing Financial Management in Tanzanian Public Secondary Schools: A Case Study of Arumeru District, Tanzania | Chapter 8 | Business, Management and Economics: Research Progress Vol. 2

 

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the skills of the head of schools in managing unit costs for financing students in public secondary schools in the Arumeru District Council. Effective financial management is critical for optimizing the limited resources available to public schools, and the competence of school heads in handling unit costs plays a pivotal role in this regard. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: To examine how the heads of schools are familiar with the concepts of unit cost; To determine the extent to which the heads of schools are familiar with factors that affect students’ unit cost; To examine the extents head of schools are involved in the budget allocation processThe research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with school heads, teachers, and district education officers. The design used in this study is a convergent research design. The target population for this study was all heads of secondary school teachers in public schools in Meru district, Tanzania.  A sample size of 30 heads of secondary schools (total sampling), 60 secondary school teachers, and 1 district education officer to provide supplementary insights in this research. The findings reveal that while some heads of schools demonstrate proficient financial management skills, others lack the necessary expertise, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and utilization. Also, the study revealed that the heads of schools are involved in the process of making a budget.  However, the key factors influencing their financial management skills include professional training, experience, and support from district education authorities. The report emphasizes the necessity of focused professional development initiatives to improve school heads' capacity for financial management. The adoption of peer learning opportunities, ongoing training seminars, and more robust support systems from the district education offices are among the recommendations. The enhancement of educational achievements and the maintenance of sustainable funding mechanisms can be achieved by Tanzanian public secondary schools through improved resource allocation and improved financial management abilities of their school heads.

 

Author(s) Details

Wilson Daniel John
Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA), Tanzania.

 

Please see the book here: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/bmerp/v2/1531

Enhancing Performance in Cape Town’s SMME Sector by Outsourcing Accounting Strategy | Chapter 5 | Economics and Entrepreneurship: The Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics (ICBMD), Edition 1

This study investigated the impact of outsourcing accounting strategies on the performance of small, medium, and micro enterprises (S M M Es) in the retail and service sectors in Cape Town, South Africa. A quantitative research design was employed, with data collected through an online survey and door-to-door distribution to a sample of 102 respondents. The analysis was conducted using X L S T A T software, applying partial least square structural equation modelling (P L S-S E M) for structural analysis. Cronbach’s Alpha measured reliability, while the Average Variance Extracted (A V E) assessed model validity. The findings indicate that outsourcing accounting functions positively influenced S M M E performance, particularly in reducing operational costs and enhancing time management. These findings suggest that outsourcing provides a viable solution for S M M Es seeking operational efficiency and sustainability in a resource-constrained environment. Additionally, the findings reveal the strategic value of outsourcing for S M M Es within South Africa’s dynamic economic landscape. The study recommends outsourcing as a strategy for S M M Es to improve cost and time management.

 

Author (s) Details

Tania Tshibangu-Mutonji
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa.

 

Lawrence Ogechukwu Obokoh
University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Ian Lyndon Johnson
University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49238-53-4/CH5