Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be a game-changer for business generally and professional services in particular. With the rapid developments in machine learning, data mining and cognitive computing, the next decade promises to see huge leaps forward. While the excitement over the potential applications of AI is understandable, there are issues related to adaptation and application in developing countries, particularly Africa and indeed, Nigeria. This paper reviews the nature of accounting and auditing problems and the need for application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to the discipline. The discussion includes current accounting issues for which new AI development should be fruitful, particularly auditing. This research employed both a qualitative and quantitative research design. The study was carried out using a descriptive survey research design, employing secondary quantitative data. This study was conducted in Nigeria using stakeholders such as bank executives and university dons with majors in accounting and economics from Universities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling was used to select 45 stakeholders to Ukpong et al.; AJEBA, 10(1): 1-6, 2019; Article no.AJEBA.46847 2 form part of the sample. The researchers' development instrument titled "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Accounting in Africa Questionnaire" was used for data collection. The frequency and Mean were used to answer the research questions. This paper concludes with future roles of banks going forward and the impacts AI could have on auditing systems. Original Research Article

The study investigated the effect of digital technologies adoption in the accounting profession. It surveyed the perspectives of experts on the impacts of digital technologies on the accounting profession. The impacts on skills, tasks and work environment as well as the challenges of adoption of digital technologies by accountants in Nigeria were studied. The descriptive survey was used for the study. 127 certified accounting experts in Akwa Ibom State were sampled for the survey. The researcher developed instrument titled “Digital technologies and Accounting Professionals Questionnaire” was used for data collection. The study made use of primary data. Accounting experts were interviewed and questionnaire administered to ascertain their opinion on the penetration, impacts and potential effects of digital technologies on the accounting profession. The instrument was validated by three experts in the Department of accounting, Akwa Ibom State University. Thereafter, the instrument was trial tested for reliability using the test retest method on 20 respondents. The data collated was tested through Pearson product moment correlation, which gave a value of .88. this was deemed good enough and the instrument was then deemed fit for the study. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were used for answering the research questions while simple linear regression was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study showed that the digital technologies impacting the accounting professions are artificial intelligence, enterprise resource planning, internet of things (IoT), blockchain technology, cloud accounting technology and big data analysis. It was also established that digital technology adoption has a significant positive effect on the changes in the accountancy profession in Nigeria. Also, emerging digital technologies adoption will significantly predict the nature of skills in the accountancy profession in Nigeria. it was recommended that in order to keep adding value for the company, accountants need to developed new skills and acquire new knowledge regarding the use of artificial intelligence and other digital solutions in modern business environment. There is highlighted the need of all employees (including accountants) for development of critical thinking and problem solving, high level of adaptability, flexibility and interpersonal interaction; it is required to learn continuously.

The forces that give rise in demand of information disclosure in the modern capital market stems from the information asymmetry and agency conflicts existing between the management and the stockholders Evidently, corporate disclosure brings advantages such as greater stock market liquidity and a lower cost of capital. However, the jury is still out on why managers are not always inclined to increase the level of accounting disclosure to other stakeholders. In addition to these benefits, there are most likely competing elements that may justify tighter managerial control over information, contributing to the importance of decisions about whether or not to disclose information. Demsetz & Lehn, 1985 in Silvia, Romualdo & Gerlando (2016) asserted that generally, managers do have access to greater information about their businesses. This information is always more specific and elaborate, but they may want to keep that information to themselves for their own personal interest. The shareholders do not have direct access to the business information but the managers, who observe business performance do. In this age when information is power, Scott (2012) observes that this information asymmetry creates ideal conditions for selective and distorted information reporting and a temptation to moral hazard. Thus, greater information asymmetry allows managers to use their discretion for the specific purpose of managing accounting results. Information asymmetry can be reduced through voluntary disclosure. Voluntary disclosures are information disclosed based on the firm's free will and decision, which can be financial or non-financial, disclosed over and above the mandatory requirements (Barako et al., 2006). The impact of corporate disclosure on the value of the firm has received diverse attention in extant studies (e.g. Hassan & Marston, 2010). This is due to the economic consequence of corporate disclosure on the firm. For instance, the cost of corporate disclosure is cheaper compared to cost of less or non-disclosure. This includes cost of law suits that occur when firm information misleads stakeholders. This implies that more attention is needed in the preparation of corporate annual reports. Reporting comprises the last stage of accounting process. The content, amount and format of the information which will be disclosed to the public by the accounting department are governed by the authorities who regulate the