scholarly journals From Accountability to Readability in the Public Sector: Evidence from Italian Universities

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Alessandra Allini ◽  
Luca Ferri ◽  
Marco Maffei ◽  
Annamaria Zampella
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Accrual Accounting ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
Italian Government ◽  
Final Sample

This paper aims to explore the readability of the disclosure provided by Italian universities that changed their accounting systems to accrual accounting over the past three years. The transition from cash to accrual accounting not only concerns financial statements, but also the related notes. Indeed, the Italian government has paid great attention to the narrative sections of reports due to their capacity to provide more transparency. To provide better accountability, financial statements must be readable for all stakeholders. We used two different indexes, namely the Gunning fog and GULPEase indexes. The analysis was conducted on a sample of universities to analyze the narrative sections of the first financial statements prepared according to the new accounting system in 2012–2014. The final sample comprised 32 Italian universities. The research results demonstrated low readability in the balance sheets of Italian universities after switching to accrual accounting, illustrating an unsatisfactory level of accountability.

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.

scholarly journals Accountants’ acceptance of accrual accounting systems in the public sector and its influence on motivation, satisfaction and performance

2019 ◽  
pp. 695-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eveana Mosuin ◽  
Tuan Zainun Tuan Mat ◽  
Erlane K. Ghani ◽  
Abdulaziz Alzeban ◽  
Ardi Gunardi
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Accrual Accounting ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Performance

scholarly journals Accrual accounting and public finance reforms in Hungary: the study of application in the public sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 183 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 89-105
Author(s):  
Csaba Lentner ◽  
◽  
Petronella Molnar ◽  
Vitez Nagy ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Finance ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Accrual Accounting ◽  
Public Funds ◽  
The Public ◽  
Table Analysis ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. The increasing measurability of performances in the public sector in the countries of the post-soviet region, including Hungary, has come to the limelight in recent decades. Accrual accounting, adopted in Hungary in 2014 on the recommendation of the European Union, provides decision-makers with reliable information and simultaneously improves transparency in spending. Purpose and Methodology. This study focuses on the impacts and synergies of the parallel comprehensive reforms in the public finances and the adoption of the accrual accounting system. We conducted an empirical research among 2425 budgetary organisations (during June 2018 - January 2019) and analysed the correlation between the variables with cross-table analysis. Our survey covered 19.1 per cent of all the budget organisations in Hungary. Thus, thanks to the sample size the survey results analysis gives a comprehensive view of the entire country based on the real feedback regarding the implementation of the new practices. Results. In the course of the survey, the organisations were asked to describe how they were affected by the transition to the new accounting system, how they had prepared for the statutory changes and compliance, what additional tasks the adoption of the new system required of them, and how they evaluated the impacts of the application of accrual accounting after five years. The inquiry focussed on the impact this new accrual-based accounting system had on the business management of the given organisation and thus the efficient use of public funds. The results confirm that the historical background and the peculiarities of managing public funds in a country should also be taken into account during the adoption of reforms along with thorough preparation. Our research also sheds light on the fact that the successful 2014 adoption of accrual accounting could achieve its full purpose in an environment ensured by comprehensive public finance reforms and laws adopted after 2010. In other words, the precondition of enforcing the new rules of accrual accounting applied in the public sector included the reinforcement of budgetary regulation and control procedures. Conclusion. The study reports more favourable public sector procedures, proves that the adoption of accrual accounting has been justified and that the higher focus on performance and efficiency achieved through accrual accounting is important.

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS TOWARD LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: CASE STUDY IN DELI SERDANG, INDONESIA

2021 ◽  
Vol IV (2) ◽  
pp. 98-106
Author(s):  
Fitri Yani Panggabean ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Balance Sheets

This paper aims to determine how the application of government financial accounting systems for financial statements government in the Deli Serdang district. The autonomy that has been carried out since 1999 in Indonesia refers to Law number 32 of 2004, which has been revised. Thus, local governments are given the authority to manage finances independently. The use of finance must be carried out accountably and transparently. The study was conducted in the Deli Serdang regency government – Indonesia, with descriptive qualitative research. The data were obtained primarily by the documentation technique, which is a regional financial statement document for two years, a central and local government regulation document. The results showed that; 1) preparation of financial statements, the Deli Serdang regency government has implemented a financial accounting system with inadequate equipment such as an uncomputerized system that has delayed financial statements; 2) delays in financial statements are also caused by unskilled human resources and a bit number of employees for the application of government financial accounting systems; 3) financial statements at the end of the year found that the calculation of the budget, calculation of the budget memorandum, cash flow, and balance sheets are in accordance. However, it is constrained by the unavailability of data comparisons with the previous year; and 4) the structure of government financial management organizations in the form of a direct line, in which leaders and employees have direct responsibility regarding their duties. This can facilitate the coordination of supervisors for the better.

scholarly journals Analysis of Accounting System Formulation for SMEs Based on SAK EMKM

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suparti . ◽  
Dudung Ma’ruf Nuris ◽  
Sunaryanto . ◽  
Bety Nur Achadiyah
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Financial Position ◽  
Qualitative Data Collection

SMEs has become the backbone of the Indonesian economy. This study aims to describe the current condition of SMEs and the constraints faced by these businesses. This research is qualitative. Data collection was carried out by interview, observation and documentation to Putri Srikandi SMEs. The results showed that the majority of these SMEs do not have accounting systems that comply with national standards. The accounting system required consists of classifying account numbers, initial balance sheets, journals, ledgers, financial statements consisting of financial position reports, income statements and notes to financial statements referring to SAK EMKM. Keywords: accounting system, SMEs, SAK EMKM

scholarly journals FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERNIZATION OF ACCOUNTING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetyana Cherkashyna ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Budgetary Institutions ◽  
Effective Use

Ukraine’s aspirations to the European community and long-term cooperation with international financial funds, foreign government agencies contributed to the beginning of the entire accounting system of the public sector. The process of transformation of the public sector accounting system has been complex and ambiguous. The efforts of reformers: government, academics, accountants-practitioners are aimed at adapting to international accounting standards. Accounting reform in the public sector continues today. The implementation of international accounting standards should result in harmonized financial reporting of budgetary institutions, prepared in accordance with current standards. The main requirements for quality reporting of budgetary institutions: the information context of reporting forms, effective use in economic analysis and inspections, as well as the provision of information for management decisions. The purpose of the article is to reveal the practical importance of modernized financial statements for its users and to identify areas for effective use of financial statements for timely management decisions in the budgetary institution. The methodological and informational basis of the work is scientific works, materials of periodicals, Internet resources. Scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison and generalization were used in the study. The article examines the results and implementation of national accounting standards in the public sector, which are relevant to the formation of financial statements: International Public Sector Accounting Standards 101, 124, 135. The results of the study formulated differences that arise during the formation of financial and budgetary reporting, which as a result of compilation must be agreed in the institution. The shortcomings of methodological nature that cause differences in the interpretation of the articles of the financial statements and the current chart of accounts are analyzed. The article summarizes the results of a study on the theoretical and methodological foundations of modernization of accounting in the public sector. As a result of the research, the practical importance of forming financial statements according to the current accounting standards for budgetary institutions was revealed. Modernized financial reporting allows budgetary institutions to improve the quality of information for external and internal users, to be full participants in the processes in the international economic space. The article analyzes the problematic issues of modernized reporting of budgetary institutions, the main of which is the difficulty in agreeing between financial statements according to current standards and budget reporting of the public sector. It is proposed, as a supplement to the reporting of budgetary institutions, the gradual introduction of non-financial reporting on current indicators in the world: environmental and social. Proposed as a direction for further research, the use of management reporting. It is recommended to develop and implement management reporting, especially in the field of public finance, which requires constant analysis of financial indicators and operational management decisions at various levels of budgetary institutions.

scholarly journals Cash To Accrual Accounting: One Nations Dilemma

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Tickell
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Labor Turnover ◽  
Accrual Accounting ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
Global Movement

Over the past three decades, there has been a slow but steady global movement undertaken by most governments to move from cash-based accounting to accrual-based accounting. This migration is the result of calls for greater accountability, increased transparency and more informed decision-making from the public sector. Questions remain regarding the implementation of accrual accounting within public sector organisations. This paper reports on an investigation into Fiji's attempt to use accrual accounting as its financial reporting format. Findings suggest that, due to the nation’s low-skilled public service, high labor turnover and insufficient investment in capital equipment, undertaking the move to accrual accounting for this and similar developing nations require a different approach to that used by developing economies. This paper concludes with recommendations on how to effectively introduce accrual accounting in the public sector of developing nations.

scholarly journals EXPENDITURES AND EXPENSES IN BUDGETARY INSTITUTIONS: ESSENCE, ACCOUNTING PROBLEMS AND WAYS TO IMPROVE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Topolenko ◽  
Yulia Lavreniuk
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
The Public ◽  
Budgetary Institutions

In the conditions of public sector entities, much more attention is paid to accounting for income, expenditures and expenses, primarily by practicing accountants. The revenues of public sector entities represent the main source of their activities, and the costs make it possible to analyze their effectiveness and rationality of the use of budget allocations, so the organization of accounting for these objects determines the effectiveness of the activities of public sector institutions. The accounting system of public sector institutions is formed according to the modernization schemes approved at the legislative level. The public sector accounting plan and national accounting regulations (standards) in the public sector have significantly changed the established methods of accounting for the implementation of budgetary institutions. The economic classification of expenditures has also changed, the division of operations into exchange and non-exchange operations in accordance with international accounting standards for the public sector has also changed. The above has led to significant changes in the method of accounting for income, expenditures and expenses, which is due to the relevance of the study. The article specified and proposed new definitions of economic concepts of «income», «expenditures» and «expenses» of budgetary institutions. Various approaches to their interpretation are considered, attention is focused on the key problems of adaptation of accounting for income and expenses of budget funds managers in accordance with the implementation of the Strategy for modernization of the accounting and financial reporting system in the public sector for the period up to 2025 and approximation to the generally accepted principles of international practice. Changes in the methodology of accounting and display in financial statements of income and expenses of public sector entities were studied, the theoretical and practical aspects of improving the accounting of income, expenditures and expenses by public sector entities were highlighted. Proposals for improving the accounting of income and expenses in the public sector are given and substantiated.

scholarly journals Factors affecting accrual accounting reform and transparency of performance in the public sector in Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-193
Author(s):  
Phuong-Nguyen Thi Thanh ◽  
Hai-Phan Thanh ◽  
Tung-Nguyen Thanh ◽  
Tien-Vo Thi Thuy
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Accrual Accounting ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Technology Application ◽  
The Public ◽  
Short Period

This study was conducted to determine the factors and their influence on accrual accounting reform in the public sector in Vietnam. Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods based on empirical surveys of 268 accountants, controllers, and auditors working in state agencies such as the Department of Finance, state treasuries and agencies receiving revenues from the state budget in 2019. This study shows that six factors influence the reform of the accounting system in the public sector in Vietnam to accrual-based: accounting staff – especially their expertise, competence, and work experience; training and support of the consulting experts; costs of the accounting reform; level of information technology application; funding and assistance from international organizations; legal environment.At the same time, the accrual-based accounting reform will have a positive impact on improving the transparency and efficiency of public sector operations in Vietnam. Among the factors affecting accounting reform, the legal environment factor is the most influential determinant, followed by the contingent of accountants. The study’s limitation is that the new experimental investigation is only conducted with a small sample size and in a short period. However, the research results are also a useful reference for those who are interested in the context that Vietnam is preparing to have strong reforms in accounting in the public sector in the coming time.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document