IPSAS Explained

Public sector accounting is, at present, practiced in diverse ways globally, at odds with the tenets of New Public Management to reduce bureaucracy, and to achieve comparable standards in terms of accountability, transparency and competition. The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) aim to harmonise public sector accounting with their International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs). A valuable contribution to the further development and alignment of public sector accounting, this book provides decision-makers in the public sector with an overview of the IPSAS and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board. Opening with an examination of the objectives of the standards, the book goes on to give an overview of the principles of such key topics as the accrual basis of accounting as against cash basis, fair value, present value, cost, and measurement bases. Each IPSAS is presented in brief, focusing on the core content of the relevant standard. Contents I Introduction 1 The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) 1.1 General information 1.2 Structure and organization of the IPSASB 1.3 Objectives of the IPSASB 1.4 Members of the IPSASB 2 International accounting standards for the public sector 2.1 Overview of international accounting standards for the public sector 2.2 History of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards 2.3 Scope of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards 2.4 General purpose financial statements 2.5 Authority of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards 2.6 Procedures for developing accounting standards 2.7 IPSASs for accrual basis of accounting and cash basis of accounting 2.8 Background to the introduction of international accounting standards for the public sector 2.9 Provisions for the transition from the cash basis to the accrual basis of accounting 3 Measurement bases in accordance with IPSASs 3.1 Cost 3.2 Fair value 3.3 Present value II Accrual basis IPSASs IPSAS 1: Presentation of Financial Statements IPSAS 2: Cash Flow Statement IPSAS 3: Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors IPSAS 4: The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates IPSAS 5: Borrowing Costs IPSAS 6: Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements IPSAS 7: Investments in Associates IPSAS 8: Interests in Joint Ventures IPSAS 9: Revenue from Exchange Transactions IPSAS 10: Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies IPSAS 11: Construction Contracts IPSAS 12: Inventories IPSAS 13: Leases IPSAS 14: Events after the Reporting Date IPSAS 15: Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation IPSAS 16: Investment Property IPSAS 17: Property, Plant and Equipment IPSAS 18: Segment Reporting IPSAS 19: Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets IPSAS 20: Related Party Disclosures IPSAS 21: Impairment of Non-Cash-Generating Assets IPSAS 22: Disclosure of Information About the General Government Sector IPSAS 23: Revenue from Non-Exchange Transactions (Taxes and Transfers) IPSAS 24: Presentation of Budget Information in Financial Statements IPSAS 25: Employee Benefits IPSAS 26: Impairment of Cash-Generating Assets III Cash basis IPSAS. Cash Basis IPSAS: Financial Reporting Under the Cash Basis of Accounting Further Reading