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The Role of Resource Accounting in the UK Government's Quest for ‘Better Accounting’

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  • Howard Mellett

Abstract

The UK government intends to introduce resource accounting to central government departments under the banner of ‘Better Accounting for the Taxpayer's Money’. Under the proposed system of resource accounting, as outlined in a White Paper, an annual depreciation charge is to be incorporated in the cost statement and fixed assets included in a balance sheet at their depreciated replacement cost. This paper locates the proposed changes in accounting method for government departments in the general spread of accruals accounting through the public sector, and explores the relevance of accruals as a basis for measuring the results of activity undertaken by government departments. It goes on to examine the impact of the specific accounting change envisaged in the White Paper from both theoretical and practical aspects. The benefits envisaged in the White Paper are considered along with the extent to which they are likely to be realised, together with any consequences not explicitly foreseen. The conclusion is that, while the revised accounting techniques may be different, the proposition implicit in the White Paper's title that they re better is not proven by the evidence presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Howard Mellett, 1997. "The Role of Resource Accounting in the UK Government's Quest for ‘Better Accounting’," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(2), pages 157-168.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:acctbr:v:27:y:1997:i:2:p:157-168
    DOI: 10.1080/00014788.1997.9729541
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hines, Ruth D., 1988. "Financial accounting: In communicating reality, we construct reality," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 251-261, April.
    2. Burchell, Stuart & Clubb, Colin & Hopwood, Anthony & Hughes, John & Nahapiet, Janine, 1980. "The roles of accounting in organizations and society," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 5-27, January.
    3. Barnes, Paul & Webb, John, 1986. "Management information changes and functional fixation: Some experimental evidence from the public sector," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sabrina Gigli & Laura Mariani & Angelo Paletta, 2021. "Management accounting and governance implications: The case of the University of Bologna," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2021(suppl. 2), pages 289-311.
    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.

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