AUDIT QUALITY AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC

The study examined audit quality and financial performance of manufacturing firms in nigeria: evidence from champion breweries plc. The uses ex-post facto research designs. Secondary methods of data collection were used in gathering relevant data for this research work. Secondary source was the use of financial summary from Access Bank Plc2015-2024. The researcher adopted longitudinal trend survey method using ex-post facto model. Data were collected, coded and analyzed using simple linear regression to test hypothesis and simple percentages and frequency tables were used to analyze the responses from respondents. The result revealed that there was no significant influence of audit fee, auditor’s training, auditor’s competence and auditor’s independent on return on assets of champion breweries plc in Nigeria. It was recommended that manufacturing firms should prioritize hiring audit firms with proven competence, professional reputation, and adequate industry experience. This enhances the credibility of financial statements and builds investor confidence. Firms should invest in strengthening their internal audit departments to complement the work of external auditors. Auditors must be encouraged to engage in regular professional development to stay updated with current accounting and auditing standards, particularly as financial reporting requirements evolve. Stakeholders, including shareholders and investors, should demand quality audits and hold management accountable for hiring auditors with integrity and competence.