Determinants of the Quality of Accounting Information at Brazilian Federal Universities

This research examined the determinants of the quality of accounting information at Brazilian federal universities, from a contingencyperspective, focusing on both internal and external factors that influence the information disclosed by these institutions. Understanding thesedeterminants is relevant for improving financial transparency and decision-making in public higher education. An explanatory and quantitativeapproach was adopted to analyze secondary data and documentary sources. A sample of 62 federal universities was studied, and their quality ofaccounting information was assessed using the index developed by Beest et al. (2009). Seven variables, based on contingency theory, were testedusing 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 ofaccounting 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 externalones in determining quality of accounting information in Brazilian federal universities. These insights are valuable for university management andcontrol bodies to focus on enhancing internal characteristics, such as administrative efficiency, technical structure, governance and leadership, inthe production of information useful for decision-making.