The Reporting Entity in Private-Public Accounting Harmonisation. Is Control Enough for the Local Government Consolidated Financial Statements?

2017 ◽  
pp. 5-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Carini ◽  
Laura Rocca ◽  
Claudio Teodori ◽  
Monica Veneziani
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Consolidated Financial Statements ◽  
The Public ◽  
Financial Accountability ◽  
Public Sector Accounting ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Reporting Entity

The European Commission initiated a discussion on the expediency of using the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), based on the IAS/IFRS, as a common base for harmonizing the public sector accounting systems of the member states. However, literature suggests that accounting is not neutral with respect to the economic, social and political dimensions. In the perspective of evolution of the accounting regulation outlined, balanced between accountability, with the need to represent phenomena for reporting pur-poses, and decisionmaking issues, which concentrates on the quantitative importance of the values, the paper aims to analyse the effects of the application of different criteria for the definition of the reporting entity of the local government consolidated financial statements (CFS). The Italian PCA 4/4, the test of control and the financial accountability approaches are examined. The evidence that emerged from the case studies examined identifies several criticalities in the Italian PCA 4/4 and support the thesis that the financial accountability approach is more effective in providing a complete representation of the public resources entrusted to and managed by the group, whereas the control approach better approximates quantification of the group results in terms of central government surveillance. The analysis highlights the importance of the post implementation review period and the opportunity to contextualize the adoption of the consolidated financial statement in the broader spectrum of the accounting harmonization process, participating in the process of definition of the European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSAS).

Reporting Entity in the Consolidated Financial Statements

2020 ◽  
pp. 65-96
Author(s):  
Cristian Carini ◽  
Claudio Teodori
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Consolidated Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Report ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Sector Accounting ◽  
Expert Working Group ◽  
Reporting Entity

Eurostat and EPSAS Expert Working Group are engaged to outline the suitability of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in the process of the public sector accounting harmonisation. Part of the process is referred to the scope of the consolidated financial statements and the possible criteria to identify the public sector group's reporting entity, that is the boundaries of the group. This last point is of relevance as recalled by the recent EPSAS Conceptual Framework Reflection Paper, under which public sector reporting entities should provide financial report based on decision-making and accountability considerations. The chapter aims to contribute to the debate on consolidated financial statements both from the theoretical and empirical points of view.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Implementation of Accrual Based International Public Sector Accounting Standards in Tanzanian Local Government Authorities

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Charles K. Matekele ◽  
Gabriel V. Komba
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Public Sector Accounting ◽  
Future Business ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

This research examined the factors influencing implementation of accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in the Tanzanian Local Government Authorities (LGAs). The study adopted a survey design. Based on extant literature, a structured questionnaire was developed. Then a drop-and-pick method was employed to administer the survey instrument to accountants and auditors from the LGAs in Tanzania. We successfully obtained 150 useful responses and applied factor analysis to determine the factors followed by multiple regression analysis. According to factor analysis performed, 15 factors were identified as the factors influencing implementation of accrual-based IPSAS. Such factors include staff experience, understanding, and skills, in-house training necessity, involvement of professional accountants with high ethical conduct and hope for future business opportunities including attraction of development partners. The study also examined how the identified factors affect implementation of accrual-based IPSAS in the LGAs. Our findings show that staff experience, in-house training necessity, understanding and skills, involvement of professional accountants and publication of financial statements with standardized format; significantly influence implementation of accrual based IPSAS in the LGAs. Other factors like sanctions by regulatory authorities, pressure from development partners and adequate implementation policies were also reported to have significant impact. Since this research involved 7 LGAs out of 185 found in Tanzania Mainland, we recommend further studies to take into account the rest of the LGAs in Tanzania and abroad.

scholarly journals Standardized Model for Accounting for Public Sector Infrastructure Assets

2020 ◽  
pp. 52-61
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Normative Documents ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Sector Accounting ◽  
The Republic

The article presents a standardized model for accounting for infrastructure assets in the public sector. The significance of this category of assets raises the need for the application of common rules for accounting and presentation in the financial statements of public-sector enti­ties. The presented model is based on the In­ternational Public Sector Accounting Standards. The article also gives a brief overview of the normative documents that regulate the reporting of these assets in the Republic of Bulgaria and analyzes the lack of standardization of public sector accounting in our country.

Comparison of the perception of overt and covert options in IPSAS financial statements by intergovernmental organizations

Tékhne ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
Berit Adam
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Intergovernmental Organizations ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Accrual Accounting ◽  
Public Sector Accounting ◽  
Primary Reference

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.

Developments and challenges in public sector accounting

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Madrid García
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
The Public ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Management Indicators ◽  
Fixed Assets ◽  
Public Sector Accounting ◽  
Accounting Convergence

What could be dubbed traditional public sector accounting was adequate for the public sector as it existed up to the late 1980s. When it became evident that this type of accounting no longer sufficed, attention turned to seeking a role model in business accounting that differed significantly from public sector accounting. Despite the move of public sector accounting towards business accounting practices, some issues still remain unresolved. The accounting treatment of fixed assets is the question which has perhaps generated the most literature. Today much ground has been covered; however, to be modern and effective, public sector accounting has still to grapple with three important challenges: standardisation and accounting convergence; consolidation of financial statements; and management indicators and additional information for disclosure.

scholarly journals Institutional Isomorphism And Adoption Of International Public Sector Accounting Standards By African Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (05) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Muganda Munir Manini
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Institutional Isomorphism ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Sector Accounting

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.

scholarly journals Perception of Government Accountants on Current Public Sector Accounting Practices and Implementation of Public Sector Accounting Standards in the Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Vickneswaran Anojan
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Public Expenditure ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
The Public ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Public Sector Organizations ◽  
Public Sector Accounting ◽  
Accrual Basis ◽  
Assets Management

The main aim of the study is to find out the perception of government accountants on current public sector accounting practices and implementation of public sector accounting standards in the Sri Lanka. Public sector accounting practices involve with public expenditure, budget preparation, maintain proper accounting records, assets management, public financial management and provide reports on the public expenditure and revenue. Most of the public sector organizations do not prepare final accounts on accrual basis in the Sri Lanka. Primary data used in this study which data collected from government accountants in Sri Lanka. Mean analysis confirmed that there is moderate level of public sector accounting practices and implementation of public sector accounting standards in the Sri Lanka. Correlation analysis confirmed that there is significant relationship between public sector accounting practices and implementation of public sector accounting standards. Implementation of public sector accounting standards are positively impact on the public sector’s financial reporting practices and assets management practices in the Sri Lanka. Also below 23 percentage of public sector organizations are preparing final accounts on accrual basis. More than 97 percentage government accountants have ability to prepare annual accounts on accrual basis. Government administrators, policy makers and professional institutions should motivate effective and efficient implementation of the public sector accounting standards which will lead to a healthy public sector accounting practices in Sri Lanka. 

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