2381/39469
Andy Wynne
Andy
Wynne
An Efficient Technical Solution or an Ideologically Contested Approach – the balance sheet for business style accrual accounting in the public sector
University of Leicester
2017
IR content
2017-03-15 14:16:13
Journal contribution
https://figshare.le.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/An_Efficient_Technical_Solution_or_an_Ideologically_Contested_Approach_the_balance_sheet_for_business_style_accrual_accounting_in_the_public_sector/10230272
This paper briefly outlines why business style accrual accounting is not generally appropriate for the
public sector, but that this idea is not a recent development. It then goes on to consider the actual
evidence for the costs and benefits of business style accrual accounting in the UK, Australia and New
Zealand. It also reviews the significant problems of implementation in the Cayman Islands. The paper
concludes that recent events have led to a greater questioning of New Public Management and so the
possible value of business style accrual accounting for the public sector. This provides the incentive to
develop existing approaches to public sector financial reporting in ways which recognize the distinctive
objectives and nature of government in the provision of public goods and services.