Public Sector Accounting and Auditing in Europe


Book Description

The book provides an overview of the governmental accounting status quo in Europe by analysing the public sector accounting, budgeting and auditing systems in fourteen European countries. IT sheds light on the challenges faced by European countries as they move towards adoption of the European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSAS).




Public Sector Accounting, Auditing and Control in South Eastern Europe


Book Description

This book comprehensively presents the current practice and further development paths of public sector accounting, auditing and control systems in 7 South Eastern European countries based on the contributions of highly-respected researchers. Each chapter is a study of the territorial organisation, public sector scope, formulation and execution of central government and local and regional self-government budgets, accounting and financial reporting reforms and practice, audit and other oversight (supervision) in the public sector, and challenges in the further development of public sector accounting and auditing of each country. It also provides insights into the challenges that SEE countries are faced with as they move towards the adoption of accrual accounting and the implementation of IPSAS and/or EPSAS, and offers a valuable reference resource for academics, researchers, students, auditors, public administrators, policy makers and standard setters.




European public sector accounting


Book Description

Public sector accounting (PSA) and reporting was subject to considerable national reforms during the last decades and is in the focus of the European Commission aiming to harmonize the accounting systems of its Member States by developing European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSAS). Therefore, the topic is of high relevance for both academia and practitioners. This book provides different views about PSA in Europe as of today. It spans topics such as history of PSA, its differences to private sector accounting and finance statistics, as well as budgeting. A main part is devoted to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) by addressing their spread, conceptual framework and selected public sector specific standards, including a case study. Also, consolidated financial reporting is covered by drawing examples. This textbook is not only of use for students and researchers, but interested readers that seek for broad perspectives on PSA such as practitioners and members of intergovernmental organisations. It intends to complement university teaching modules on PSA as those accessible for free under www.offene.uni-rostock.de/online-course-european-public-sector-accounting.




The Palgrave Handbook of Public Administration and Management in Europe


Book Description

This Handbook offers a systematic review of state-of-the-art knowledge on public administration in Europe. Covering the theoretical, epistemological and practical aspects of the field, it focuses on how public administration operates and is studied in European countries. In sixty-three chapters, written by leading scholars, this Handbook considers the uniqueness of the European situation through an interdisciplinary and comparative lens, focusing on the administrative diversity which results from the multiplicity of countries, languages, schools of thought and streams of investigation across Europe. It addresses issues such as multi-level administration and governance, intensive cross country cooperation in administrative reform policy, and public accountability under different systems. It also considers the issue of welfare service delivery, at a time of major economic and societal challenges, as well as understudied emerging issues like Islamic Public Administration and the dynamics of public sector negotiations. With contributions from key experts in Public Administration and Public Management, this cutting edge Handbook offers a significant contribution to the field of comparative public administration, policy and management.




Financial Sustainability of Public Sector Entities


Book Description

This book analyses the role of public sector accounting, and the relevance of accounting frameworks, in assisting financially sustainable policy making. Focussing on the European context, the book examines financial reporting, management accounting, budgeting and other reporting requirements, for example, Government Finance Statistics. It also analyses emerging forms of reporting, such as popular reporting and integrated reporting, which may also be considered by policy makers, standard setters, and managers of public sector entities.




Challenges in the Adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards


Book Description

The aim of this book is to take stock of the experiences of Spain and Portugal in the adaptation to the IPSAS, showing the advantages, disadvantages and the main challenges for its implementation. In chapter one, the book analyses the IPSAS and the conceptual framework, as well as the claimed benefits and criticisms of IPSAS. Chapter two makes an analysis of the diffusion of the IPSAS in the international framework and the process of harmonization in development in Europe. Chapter three and four analyze the process of adaptation to IPSAS in Portugal and Spain respectively. In the chapter five, there is a comparative analysis between Spain and Portugal, and the last chapter present the main conclusions. This book can help to understand the level of implementation of the reforms and how governments are applying the IPSAS.




New Trends in Public Sector Reporting


Book Description

This book analyses the contribution of the new forms of reporting adopted by Public Sector Organisations in the provision of information on value creation processes to their various stakeholders. The contributors to this volume provide evidence of innovative accounting practices and reporting formats, drawing on case studies from across Europe. Together, they highlight the limitations and opportunities of these new forms of reporting that will require further study and exploration.




Practice-Relevant Accrual Accounting for the Public Sector


Book Description

This book addresses the necessary developments and adjustments that can be regarded as a promising starting point for making accrual accounting a more practice-relevant for the public sector entities. Specifically, the main focus is on Reshaping the application of accrual accounting principles and assumptions to fit the context of public sector entities; Developing a practice-relevant holistic accounting approach for governmental capital assets, which has been based on developing and reshaping the assets recognition criteria; Scope of general purpose financial reporting from an accountability perspective; Suggesting a sustainable accounting approach for reporting on the long-term fiscal sustainability; Developing a dynamic model for making public sector accrual accounting a more user practice relevant; and finally, Developing a theory of accounting information usefulness, which explains how cognitive aspects do influence the use/non-use of accounting information by the politicians. Fundamentally, the book has tackled these necessary developments and adjustments from both the producer’s and the user’s perspectives.




IPSAS Explained


Book Description

A succinct, yet highly informative guide to IPSAS and their application IPSAS Explained provides a concise summary of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards for practitioners needing to maintain compliance with ever-changing practices. Comprehensively updated to align with newly-accepted standards in key subject areas and including the latest iteration of the framework and improvement projects, this guide distills each standard into a useful and accessible format. Coverage of each IPSAS includes a brief overview of the basic principles behind it, as well as charts, graphs and tables that provide information at a glance. Updated material includes discussion of the new IPSASB governance structure, including the Public Interest Committee and Consultative Advisory Group, as well as information on the current Exposure Drafts and the changes forthcoming from the Improvements Project. New sections on First-Time Adoption of Accrual Basis IPSAS, new consolidation standards and Service Performance Reporting bring practitioners completely up to date to help ensure full compliance. Locate relevant IPSAS quickly and easily Get up to date on newly adopted standards Deepen conceptual understanding with graphical representations Understand the operations of the IPSASB, as well as new and ongoing projects The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board is engaged in the ongoing process of bringing public sector accounting in line with the IPSAS, which largely align with the IFRS model: where an IFRS exists, it is either adopted directly or adjusted to be suitable for the public sector; where no relevant IFRS exists, the IPSASB issues an IPSAS. IPSAS Explained condenses and clarifies each IPSAS, providing context, background and practical guidance to help practitioners find the answers they need to comply.




Implementing Accrual Accounting in the Public Sector


Book Description

This technical note and manual (TNM) explains what accrual accounting means for the public sector and discusses current trends in moving from cash to accrual accounting. It outlines factors governments should consider in preparing for the move and sequencing of the transition. The note recognizes that governments considering accounting reforms will have different starting points across the public sector, different objectives, and varying coverage of the existing financial statements, it therefore recommends that governments consider each of these, and the materiality of stocks, flows and entities outside of government accounts when planning reforms and design the sequencing and stages involved accordingly. Building on international experiences, the note proposes four possible phases for progressively increasing the financial operations reported in the balance sheet and operating statement, with the ultimate aim of including all institutional units under the effective control of government in fiscal reports.