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The study assessed the possibility of accounting fraud among Zambian listed companies with a focus on the mining sector and the relationship between related party transactions (RPTs) and financial statement manipulation (FSM). The financial statements (2012 to 2020) of listed companies were analysed to detect accounting fraud using the M-score and the Z-score. Descriptive statistics were used to explain the extent of FSM. The Chi-Square test of independence was employed to test the relationship between FSM and RPTs. Both the Z-Score and M-Score indicate that the mining companies were possibly involved in FSM. There is a relationship between the FSM and RPTs. The Total Accruals to Total Assets, Days in Sales in Receivables Index and Sales Growth Index show that revenue and profits were the most manipulated. The RPTs disclosures were the lowest for mining companies. Relevant authorities should not neglect FSM as a form of fraud despite the routine external audit of financial statements. There is the potential loss of tax revenue through accounting fraud.

The study's objective was to analyse the relationship between corporate governance attributes and financial reporting quality from a developing country perspective. Data was collected through quantitative content analysis of annual reports and audited financial statements (2012 to 2018) of Zambian-listed companies. This was a longitudinal study that involved panel data analysis. Therefore, a Hausman test was conducted to select the model to use. Panel regression analysis was used as a data analysis technique. Results show a statistically significant positive relationship between board size and financial reporting quality. A positive but statistically insignificant relationship existed between board accounting expertise, board gender diversity, audit committee independence and financial reporting quality. A negative but insignificant relationship existed between board independence and financial reporting quality. The corporate governance system alone cannot guarantee quality financial information by reporting entities. This could be related to the lack of an effective corporate governance system. Therefore, authorities must consider strengthening the regulatory enforcement mechanisms to ensure that companies achieve high financial reporting quality.