1. A Science-Based Approach to the Conceptual Framework for General Purpose Financial Reporting by Public Sector Entities

The first paper of this issue, by Petri Vehmanen of the University of Tampere, Finland provides an insightful critique of the draft conceptual framework recently issued by the International Public Sector Accounting Standard Board. Petri observes that whilst the prime aim of private sector financial statements is to provide information for investors to make decisions about the entity, the prime purpose of public sector financial statements is to enhance accountability. This should be recognised and would result in the definitions of such prime elements as assets and liabilities being revised. His paper also recasts the qualitative characteristics of public sector financial statements. Petri concludes by saying that his proposals “are by no means radical”. However, they do provide a comprehensive and damming critique of the work of the International Public Sector Accounting Standard Board and so it is re-assuring that so few countries have yet to adopt their approaches to accrual accounting or indeed the cash basis of accounting.

A Science-Based Approach to the Conceptual Framework for General Purpose Financial Reporting by Public Sect...

Public Sector Accounting: Democratic control of public money by using administrative cameralistics

Our second paper is a further part of the series of articles in which Norvald Monsen has outlined a uniquely public sector approach to accounting and book keeping – cameral accounting. This was developed in German speaking counties and, until now, has remained largely unknown to English readers. Norvald provides an overview of the main tasks of traditional public sector accounting, followed by a detailed exposition of administrative cameralistics, focusing on the closing of the accounts and budgetary comparisons. A commentary section then explains how the four tasks of traditional public sector accounting are taken care of within cameral accounting. This is finally compared with both traditional commercial accounting and the new public sector accounting outlined in the International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

Public Sector Accounting Democratic Control of Public Money by Using Administrative Cameralistics

Sovereign Wealth Funds

The next paper, by Hany H. Makhlouf, provides a useful introduction and overview of sovereign wealth funds. These funds managed by 23 countries, mainly those with significant income from natural resources, for example, oil, have been of increasing interest in recent years and are expected to grow in the future if, as expected the price of crude oil triples in price over the next 20 years. However, the global economic meltdown had a major impact on their success and led many to a re-think of their strategic approach.

Sovereign Wealth Funds