scholarly journals Innovation of Public Sector Financial Management: Toward Accrual Accounting

Author(s):  
Zarah Puspitaningtyas
2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 470-482
Author(s):  
Danica Rajin ◽  
Marija Džunić ◽  
Tijana Radojević

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-248
Author(s):  
Marco Bisogno ◽  
Beatriz Cuadrado-Ballesteros

Los cambios en los marcos contables, como la adopción de sistemas contables basados en el devengo (accrual accounting) o la implementación de las Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad del Sector Público (International Public Sector Financial Accounting Standards, IPSAS), se consideran importantes reformas de la gestión financiera del sector público. Estudios anteriores han investigado en gran medida los efectos de estas reformas sobre la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas, teniendo en cuenta también el nivel de participación de los ciudadanos del sector público. Este estudio tiene como objetivo examinar los efectos de estas prácticas de gestión financiera sobre la calidad de la democracia. Concretamente, se centra en estudiar el papel de los sistemas de contabilidad a nivel internacional y ofrece un análisis comparativo de la adopción de las IPSAS y del sistema basado en los accruals. Utilizando una muestra de 33 países de la OCDE entre los años 2010 y 2014, los resultados sugieren que el uso de un sistema contable basado en los accruals no ha sido suficiente para mejorar la calidad de democracia; sin embargo, los hallazgos indican que la implementación de las IPSAS sí consigue mejorar la calidad de la democracia, principalmente debido a los principios de igualdad y control. Changes in accounting frameworks, such as those based on the adoption of accrual-accounting systems or the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), are considered to be an important feature of public-sector financial management practices and reforms. Previous studies have largely investigated the effects of these reforms on transparency and accountability, also taking into account the dimension of the participation of citizens. This study aims to examine the effects of public-sector financial management practices regarding the quality of democracy. It focuses on the role of the accounting systems in use, offering an international view and comparative analysis of IPSAS and accrual-basis system adoption. By using a sample of 33 OECD countries between 2010 and 2014, the findings which emerge from the analysis suggest that accrual-basis accounting has proven not to be sufficient for a good democracy quality; however, they indicate that IPSAS implementation improves the democracy quality, mainly due to equality and control principles.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 245
Author(s):  
Rozaidy Mahadi ◽  
Siti Nabiha Abdul Khalid ◽  
Rasid Mail ◽  
Raman Noordin

This paper analyses the possible contextual and application gaps derived from the utilisation of van Helden and Northcott’s (2010) method of study for classifying themes in published public sector’s accrual accounting papers according to their research objectives. As a result, our theme categorisation refers to the following research objectives: a) proposing new financial/management accounting techniques/approaches for public sector accrual accounting systems (e.g. accrual output-based budgeting, performance management and costing); b) examining the effectiveness of accrual accounting techniques/approaches; c) identifying the conditions for the successful/failure of the implementation of accrual accounting techniques/approaches; and d) knowledge-building in understanding, explaining and critiquing the adoption and use of accrual accounting techniques/approaches, both theoretically and practically. Through the process of populating and establishing the themes (based on research objectives), we were able to identify which areas of study have received less attention and which areas have room for further exploration.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 28-35
Author(s):  
Francesco Capalbo ◽  
Marco Sorrentino

Within the New Public Management, a fundamental role is played by changes in accounting measurement and recognition systems (in this case, the literature speaks specifically of New Public Financial Management). It has been substantially characterized by a gradual shift from cash to accrual accounting. In light of it, this paper aims to analyze some of the most significant conceptual and practical implications associated with the use of accrual accounting in the public sector – such as Italy’s, where most entities still use cash accounting – by looking closely at that full-accrual standard that seem to best show the system’s innovative reach: IPSAS 23 – Revenue from Non-Exchange Transactions (Taxes and Transfers). The switch-over broadens the scope of the accounting system, thereby leading to the recognition and consequent valuation of all the resources of any public-sector entity in its financial statements. As is often the case, though, greater utility implies greater complexity and innumerable elements of uncertainty are evidently still present.


2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila Ellwood ◽  
Susan Newberry

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the role of public sector accounting in implementing neoliberal reforms.Design/methodology/approachThe proposition that the adoption and development of accrual accounting in the public sector is a technical development intended to improve transparency and accountability is investigated. The paper compares the development and use of accrual accounting in public sector financial management reforms in the UK and New Zealand.FindingsThe findings in this paper suggest that in both countries, accrual accounting, as developed, also provides a means to reduce the government's role to that of procurer of services and enforcer of rules set by others, thus advancing a controversial privatisation and trade liberalisation agenda which is consistent with neo‐liberal principles.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that in contrast to more usual claims about the need for accrual accounting to provide a “read across between the sectors” or that public interest motives assure the neutrality of accounting, seemingly technical accrual accounting developments seem to function as a political tool to aid a controversial political agenda. There is a need to look at the overall effect of public sector financial management reforms and the role of, and implications for, accounting standard‐setters.Originality/valueThe information in the paper applies to accounting the new political economics literature on agenda control and information based structures where control is achieved through information asymmetries.


Tékhne ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
Berit Adam

AbstractSince 2012, the European Commission has embarked on the ambitious project to harmonize public sector accounting rules on all levels of government within Europe, mainly to improve the quality as well as the comparability of financial data. Although International Public Sector Accounting Standards were deemed not to be suitable for a simple take-over because of various reasons, they nevertheless shall function as a primary reference point for developing European Public Sector Accounting Standards. A total of 21 out of 28 central governments have already reformed their accounting standards to accrual accounting, and some of them have also relied on IPSAS in this exercise. Apart from governments, various international and supranational governmental organizations have also since the end of the 2000’s been reforming their accounting system to accrual accounting, and have in the same way relied on existing IPSAS. This paper explores accounting practices found in ten intergovernmental organizations (Commonwealth Secretariat, Council of Europe, European Commission, IAEA, INTERPOL, ITER, NAPMA, OECD, International Criminal Court, WFP) whose statements are prepared in compliance with IPSAS. It analyzes how overt and covert options contained in IPSAS with relevance to the activities of intergovernmental organizations are exercised and evaluates in which areas of accounting material differences in accounting practices can be found, which may hinder the comparability of financial statements prepared on the basis of IPSAS.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamaliah Said ◽  
Md. Mahmudul Alam ◽  
Razana Juhaida Johari

Ensuring accountability in the public sector is a very crucial issue as it could lead to failures in governance, fraud, inefficacy, corruption as well as weak financial management. This study evaluated the state of present accountability practices among public sector employees from various Malaysian service schemes. Primary data were collected, using a questionnaire survey approach with 194 heads of departments in the Malaysian federal ministries. Data was collected in accordance with the perspective of 12 factors in accountability practices, using a five-point Likert scale. Factor analysis and descriptive statistics were utilized for data analysis. In addition, data reliability was checked by Cronbach’s alpha test; data normality was examined by Skewness and Kurtosis tests, and data validity was tested by using Kaiser-Meyer Olkin test and Barlett’s test. The findings show that 94.9% of the participants reported that they practised accountability within their departments. Nevertheless, the priority for these accountability factors varied according to the service schemes. In general, the perceived accountability practice was the highest within the group of the administrative scheme and the lowest among the employees under the accounting scheme. Moreover, the perceived accountability practice of the audit scheme was below the general average level. This findings of the study would help policy makers to take necessary steps to improve the practices of accountability in the public sector for creating a more dependable and efficient public sector in Malaysia.


Author(s):  
Dr. Muganda Munir Manini

The international harmonization of financial reporting standards in the public sector is one of the significant public sector accounting reforms which have gained prominence in the recent past under the New Public Financial Management order. However, previous empirical evidence provided mixed results on the extent of African countries’ decision on the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards and its relationship with institutional isomorphism factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of institutional isomorphism (normative, mimetic and coercive) on the adoption International Public Sector Accounting Standards by African countries. The target population was 54 countries; however the final sample was 29 countries which comprised the dataset. A logistic regression analysis was thereafter conducted. Based on the Institutional Theory, the study revealed external public funding (coercive isomorphic pressure), the countries’ global competitiveness (mimetic isomorphic pressure), and human capital (normative isomorphic pressure) were non significant factors in a countries decision to adopt IPSAS. This study contributes to the literature on the international accounting in the public sector. The results of the study have significant managerial and theoretical implications for accounting standards regulators, researchers, and multilateral organizations.


Author(s):  
André Carlos Busanelli de Aquino ◽  
André Feliciano Lino ◽  
Ricardo Rocha de Azevedo

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the trajectories for data collection automation in various Courts of Accounts (Tribunais de Contas), the standard features of the systems that have emerged, and the impacts on fiscal and accounting oversight in Brazil. Data collection automation is part of the digital transformation in the field of auditing; however, the literature on public sector auditing in Brazil, on digital transformation, or digital infrastructure, does not analyze how this transformation occurs and how the infrastructures are stabilized and shape the field of auditing. Data collection automation has unexpected implications for the content of public sector audits and the financial management of the public sector auditees. Identifying the trajectories for digital tools of data collection automation enables a discussion on whether currently adopted solutions vary and the effects on the standardization of government audits. The automation of data collection by the Court of Accounts, particularly its scope and frequency, affects how the audited public organizations prioritize the adoption and maintenance of accounting, budgeting, and financial planning policies and processes. The digital infrastructures that emerge from these digital tools shape the entire field of auditing, they become embedded, and they increase the cost of future changes, perpetuating the heterogeneity in the auditing and financial management of governments in the Brazilian federation. The article presents a longitudinal case study (1994 to 2020), with narratives built based on questionnaires and interviews with auditors from 26 Courts of Accounts. The automation of budgetary and accounting data collection by Courts of Accounts has changed the logic of the field of government auditing in Brazil. The digital infrastructures that emerge by connecting Courts and the audited public organizations under their jurisdictions have embedded concepts, definitions, and implicit expectations in a remote auditing logic.


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