Abstract
Small-scale businesses in Kogi State, Nigeria, play a crucial role in the local economy,
contributing significantly to employment and economic growth. However, many of these
businesses struggle due to inadequate financial management practices, which impede their growth
and sustainability. This study aimed to examine how management accounting practices
specifically strategic planning (SP), decision support (DS), and internal control and risk
management (ICARM) effect the performance of SMEs in Kogi State, with a focus on customer
satisfaction as the dependent variable. The study used a survey research design, distributing
structured questionnaires to 72 active SMEs in Kogi State. A total of 40 valid responses were
analyzed using a five-point Likert scale and regression models. The findings revealed that all three
management accounting practices (SP, DS, and ICARM) had a statistically significant impact on
SME performance. Specifically, SP showed a strong positive effect on performance (p-value <
0.05), DS also significantly influenced performance (p-value = 0.0201), while ICARM, despite a
smaller effect, remained statistically significant (p-value = 0.0014). These results suggest that
SMEs in Kogi State that adopt and implement management accounting practices are more likely
to improve customer satisfaction and, by extension, their overall performance. Based on these
findings, several recommendations are made for improving SME performance in Kogi State. First,
SMEs should enhance their awareness and training in strategic planning to better navigate market
challenges. Second, promoting the adoption of decision support tools, such as budgeting and
financial forecasting, can help business owners make more informed decisions. Finally, SMEs
should prioritize strengthening their internal control and risk management systems to ensure
operational stability and safeguard their assets. Implementing these practices will not only improve business performance but also contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of
small businesses in the region.