AI-POWERED ACCOUNTING ANALYTICS IN GHANA: ENHANCING FINANCIAL REPORTING ACCURACY AND TRANSPARENCY

The increasing inaccuracies in financial reporting and the lack of transparency within Ghana’s public and private sectors underscore the urgent need for technological transformation in accounting practices. This study investigates the impact of AI-powered accounting analytics on enhancing financial reporting accuracy and transparency in Ghana between 2018 and 2022, addressing a critical gap in digital financial integrity. Employing a descriptive research design with secondary data from government reports, audit publications, and scholarly studies, the research examined the role of AI-based data automation, fraud detection systems, and predictive analytics. Statistical tests, including t-tests, chi-square, and regression modeling, revealed that AI adoption led to a significant reduction in reporting errors-from 18% to 8% in large firms-and decreased fraud detection incidents by over 60%, as confirmed by χ² = 12.89 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, predictive analytics reduced financial reporting delays from 15 to 6 days (t = 4.97, p < 0.001), while stakeholder satisfaction improved from 5.6 to 8.1. The regression model (R² = 0.68) confirmed the predictive strength of AI variables on reporting quality, and a strong overall correlation coefficient of r = 0.72 validated the positive relationship between AI adoption and financial transparency. These findings imply that strategic integration of AI can substantially improve accuracy, fraud detection, and timeliness, especially within underperforming sectors like SMEs. The study recommends targeted policy incentives, AI-specific training, and infrastructural upgrades to foster equitable AI adoption across regions. Ultimately, AI stands as a transformative force in redefining financial accountability and governance in Ghana’s accounting landscape.