Description

Public sector accountants assess and control the efficiency of public spending. They can work in local or central government, audit offices, housing, health, education or charitable trusts. Their aim is to get value for money for any service offered to the public.

Public sector accountants prepare and present:

• financial records and statements
• management information to boards and budget holders
• estimates on the cost of new projects
• budget reviews and investment appraisals.

Taking a fully integrated approach, the book is fully in-line with the most recent developments in the public sector environment. It draws together accounting theory and practice for each of the main areas of accounting, providing contemporary examples from a range of public sector experience which are woven into the text to illustrate the issues involved. The book is internationalised as much as possible to give it as wide an appeal as possible, and each chapter is fully supported by examples and progress assignments.

Features

Features that appeal to students from a diverse range of backgrounds include:

* Clear writing style
* Strong conceptual approach
* Takes an integrated approach to public sector accounting
* Examples from a range of public sector experience are woven into the text to illustrate the issues involved.
* Progress assignments are included throughout each chapter.
* Includes examples of public sector accounting from the around the world, including UK, USA, Canada and Continental Europe.

 

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Public sector financial management

2. Public finance

3. Public sector budgeting and management accounting

4. Public sector financial accounting and reporting

5. Full accrual financial reporting under IPSAS

6. Internal control

7. Current and future developments

8. Case studies

Back Cover

The public sector accounts for nearly one third of the world's economy and has been the subject of a number of substantial changes and developments in the last two decades - and the speed of change affecting the world of the public-sector manager shows no sign of slowing down. 

While New Public Management and Accrual Accounting improved the information for decision makers and thereby the decision making process itself, long periods of surpluses and the emergence of sovereign wealth funds fundamentally changed the face of public finance.  Public Sector Financial Management explores the key themes of this continuing change, and examines the increasing role of markets and competition in the public sector.  The book provides the relevant information and guidance for decision-makers in this area, and explains how contemporary financial-management techniques can be applied specifically to the public sector. The author addresses a number of  key issues:

- looks at public finance targets such as the Maastricht criterion

- examines the golden rule in public finance

- discusses perfomance budgeting

- employs a framework of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)

- examines Internal Control and Fiscal Sustainability

- provides coverage of XBRL

- includes sections on Public Sector Auditing

The content reflects the most recent developments in Economics, Public Management, Accounting and Auditing. The learning process is supported by examples, work assignments and topical case studies, making this the ideal text for anyone who wants to understand the key aspects of the subject.

Andreas Bergmann is a Professor at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and Associate Dean of the School of Management.

 

Author

Andreas Bergmann is a Professor for public management and Director of the Institute for Public Management at Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Winterthur(Switzerland). He holds a diploma of Lancaster University (U.K.) and both a master and a doctor degree of St. Gallen University (Switzerland). Before going back to university he worked as a business consultant and in senior positions in public administrations. At university, he directed a large study financed by Swiss Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) about the impact of IPSAS on public sector accounting from 2001 till 2003. From 2003 till 2005 he was a member of the IPSAS-Board consultative group. In 2006 he became a public member of the IPSAS-Board. He acts as a senior advisor in implementation projects in Switzerlandand as a trainer at the Worldbank Group and the United Nations, strongly supported by his team