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Implementing Accrual Accounting in the Public Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Ms. Suzanne Flynn
  • Delphine Moretti
  • Joseph Cavanagh

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ms. Suzanne Flynn & Delphine Moretti & Joseph Cavanagh, 2016. "Implementing Accrual Accounting in the Public Sector," IMF Technical Notes and Manuals 2016/006, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imftnm:2016/006
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    File URL: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.aspx?sk=44121
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Cangoz, Mehmet Coskun & Boitreaud, Sebastien & Dychala, Christopher Benjamin, 2018. "How Do Countries Use an Asset and Liability Management Approach? A Survey on Sovereign Balance Sheet Management," MPRA Paper 100309, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Raffer, Christian, 2020. "Accrual Accounting and the Local Government Budget - A Matching Evaluation," VfS Annual Conference 2020 (Virtual Conference): Gender Economics 224630, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    3. repec:thr:techub:10025:y:2021:i:1:p:1-8 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Christofzik, Désirée I., 2019. "Does accrual accounting alter fiscal policy decisions? - Evidence from Germany," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    5. Bessho, Shun-ichiro & Hirota, Haruaki, 2023. "Do public account financial statements matter? Evidence from Japanese municipalities," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    6. Désirée I. Christofzik & Florian Dorn & Stefanie Gäbler & Christian Raffer & Felix Rösel, 2020. "Bremst die Doppik öffentliche Investitionen? Ergebnisse aus drei aktuellen Evaluationsstudien [Does Accrual Accounting Reduce Public Investment? Evidence from Three Recent Evaluation Studies]," Wirtschaftsdienst, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 100(9), pages 707-711, September.
    7. Florian Dorn & Stefanie Gaebler & Felix Roesel, 2021. "Ineffective fiscal rules? The effect of public sector accounting standards on budgets, efficiency, and accountability," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 186(3), pages 387-412, March.
    8. Hanane Jafi & Said Youssef, 2021. "Public sector accounting education and training as supportive mechanisms of the ongoing accrual-based accounting reforms," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 25(1), pages 1-8, November.
    9. André Amante & Phillip Anderson & Thordur Jonasson & Herman Kamil & Mr. Michael G. Papaioannou, 2019. "Sovereign Asset and Liability Management in Emerging Market Countries: The Case of Uruguay," IMF Working Papers 2019/290, International Monetary Fund.

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