EFFECT OF REGULATORY ACCOUNTING POLICIES ON THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES (DisCos) IN NIGERIA

Abstract The study examines the effect of regulatory accounting policies (RAP) on the financial management (FM) of electricity distribution companies DisCos in Nigeria. Data was collected from primary source and a structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from financial officers of the 11 DisCos in Nigeria. A multiple regression analysis was adopted, and the data was analysed using the partial least square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The findings of the study revealed that RAP have a significant effect on the FM of DisCos in Nigeria. The study recommends that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) further strengthen its regulatory oversight by enforcing the adaption of the uniform system of accounts USofA, applying and imposing sanctions where necessary for non-compliance as well as incentives such as timely review of OPEX requests to encourage continuous compliance and improvement by the DisCos.