Public Sector Financial Control and Accounting

This text provides an up-to-date introduction to the theory and practice of financial control and accounting in the public sector. Recognizing the essentially practical nature of this subject, the author provides a careful balance of theory and description of actual practice. He begins by setting the context of the structure and size of the public sector in the UK, and looks at what is meant by financial accountability. He then covers the general framework of management control, and the central topics of budgetary innovation and reform. Two chapters cover investment appraisal and auditing, followed by four detailed chapters on central government, local government, the NHS, and the nationalised industries. Examples of actual public sector documents are included throughout.