Tax evasion is a problem inhabiting revenue generation of developing countries over a long period of time. Literature exposes that tax evasion denote some of the difficulties in raising revenue in Nigeria. The consequence of tax evasion is tax revenue loss, which finally may undermine public utilities, capability and proper performance of government functions. This study assessed the factors that influenced tax evasion in Gombe State (a state in Nigeria). The study was conducted through a survey research design. A questionnaire was used to gather primary data from 303 randomly selected public and private sector personal taxpayers in Gombe. The results of the analysis show that tax system, income level and education level have significant positive relationship with tax evasion. On the other hand, tax rate and corruption have positive but insignificant relationship with tax evasion. This study recommends that necessary measures should be taken by the tax authority to improve accountability, transparency and management of revenue collection to reduce tax evasion. It is also proposed that campaign against corruption, public enlightens on tax matters and revision of tax processes should be undertaken.

This study examines whether Cost of Capital (COC) impact on the financial performance of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria for the period 2015-2019. Using two-step system Generalised Method of Moments (GMM), the study found a significant and negative impact of COC on financial performance of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria. This is because profitable firms have the opportunity to finance new investments with retained earnings rather than through a new debt and/or equity issuance. Also, raising the debt level of a firm may result in an increase in distress costs, and as such reduces benefits from the tax shield which consequently result in decline in the value of the firm. Thus, the finding of this study is in line with the pecking order theory of capital structure. The findings, which add to the existing knowledge with regard to the impact of COC on financial performance, should be interesting to the providers of finance. This is because the study helps them to make the decision whether or not to invest in these firms. Since they want their money to be invested where there will be maximum return. However, this result only hold for emerging economies like Nigeria where analyst cash flow forecast is difficult to predict. This is due to the underdeveloped nature of the capital market.

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Tactical inputs are strategies that internal auditors in an organization would have required that could induce his auditing performance efficiency. The tactical inputs or strategy are said to be an umbrella of patterns required by an internal auditor to achieve the purpose, goals, and objectives of the auditing functions in respect of planned activities performed in an organization. Setting right audit tactical strategies and implementing them accordingly is one of the main challenges confronting auditing activities and auditors efficiency in achieving their goals and objectives in various organizations around the world (Pitt, 2014). In view of that, internal auditors tactical plans are required to be logically and systematically articulated, well-structured, and feasibility achievable in an organization. Therefore, internal audit tactical strategy is an important mechanism to auditors that play a vital role in achieving an efficient performance of auditing function in striking a balance while performing a predetermined function in an organization (Terra & Passador, 2016).

The aim of this study is to identify and analyse internal audit competency requirement for effective auditing performance in tax administration. To achieve this, a case study methodology was employed to carry out a face-to-face interview with 9 internal auditors of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Nigeria. The collected data was analysed using Nvivo qualitative software. The findings of the study show that qualification, knowledge and skills are the three major indicators of internal auditors’ competency in performing effective auditing functions in tax administration. This study implies that to achieve a successful performance of internal auditing in the FIRS, competent internal audit staffs are highly needed for effective internal auditing performance.