Assessment of accounting recordkeeping practices in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Lasanod, Somalia

The major purpose of this research was to assess the accounting recordkeeping practices of SMEs in Lasanod. The study's target population was 250 SME managers and accountants that were registered with the Lasanod municipal office. A seventy (70) of these 250 SME managers and accountants were taken as a sample of the study. In collecting data, the study employed a questionnaire. Cronbach Alpha reliability test was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument and this yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.82. While an independent group of experts called the Ethical Committee validated the instrument. Five research questions and hypotheses have been answered and tested at a significance level of 0.05 in respect of the study. Frequencies and percentage were employed to answer the questions of research while t-test statistic was adopted to test all the null hypotheses. The study's main results were: Managers and accountants have agreed that budgeting practices enhanced the operations of SMEs. The participants agreed that financial reporting practices were essential for effective operations of SMEs since they assist management to reach effective decisions. It was found that is very vital to follow the procedures for credit purchases/sales. Managers and accountants also agreed that depreciation helped replace outdated equipment. It was recommended that: That the government should set an accounting system that is particular to SMEs and proper accounting records and the preparation of financial statements should be made compulsory by means of legislation for SMEs. On the other hand, in order owner and managers to maintain an effective record keeping system, it is recommended them to hire accounting graduates and use a computerized based accounting instead of using manual accounting, because of its convenience, accuracy, and speed. shortage or excess of inventory.