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International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)

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International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)
Gwenda R. Jensen, International Federation of Accountants, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
gwendajensen@ipsasb.org

Synonym
International public sector financial reporting standards

Definition
International Public Sector Accounting Standards are international accounting standards for application
by public sector entities to prepare their general purpose financial reports.

Introduction
This chapter describes International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the International
Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB). This description includes the process applied to
develop IPSAS, other pronouncements developed by the IPSASB, the IPSASB’s history, and its
governance arrangements. This chapter also describes how IPSAS apply to public sector entities and the
extent of IPSAS adoption.

International Public Sector Accounting Standards

IPSAS are financial reporting standards for use by public sector entities. IPSAS are developed by the
IPSASB. They are the public sector equivalent of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS),
which apply to private sector companies and are developed by the International Accounting Standards
Board (IASB). As of January 2016 the IPSASB had issued 39 IPSAS. A complete list of IPSAS and other
IPSASB pronouncements is provided at the end of this chapter.
38 of the 39 IPSAS apply to financial reporting on an accrual basis of accounting. These IPSAS are called
“accrual–basis IPSAS”. The IPSASB supports reporting on an accrual basis and considers that financial
reports prepared under the cash basis of accounting do not adequately address the needs of report
users. However, cash–basis reporting is still used by many governments. The IPSASB developed its
cash–basis IPSAS, Financial Reporting under the Cash Basis of Accounting, to improve the quality of
governments’ cash–basis financial reporting. The IPSASB considers that governments should use the
cash–basis IPSAS as a stepping stone towards adoption of accrual–basis IPSAS.
The majority of IPSAS address financial reporting topics already covered by IFRS and require essentially
the same accounting treatment as in their equivalent IFRS or International Accounting Standard (IAS).
These IPSAS are termed “IFRS–converged IPSAS”. Each IFRS–converged standard includes an
appendix, which lists differences between the IPSAS and its equivalent IFRS. Differences include
terminology differences (for example, IPSAS use the term “entities” rather than “companies”), revisions to
address public sector specific issues (for example, IPSAS 17, Property, Plant and Equipment, has special
requirements for heritage assets) and implementation guidance to address public sector specific
situations.
Six of the accrual–basis IPSAS are public sector specific IPSAS. These IPSAS are not based on an
equivalent IFRS. The six public sector specific standards are: IPSAS 21, Impairment of Non-Cash-
Generating Assets; IPSAS 22, Disclosure of Financial Information about the General Government Sector;
IPSAS 23, Revenue from Non-Exchange Transactions (Taxes and Transfers); IPSAS 24, Presentation of

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Budget Information in Financial Statements; IPSAS 32, Service Concession Arrangements: Grantor; and,
IPSAS 33, First-time Adoption of Accrual Basis IPSASs.
Recently, the IPSASB has begun to issue Recommended Practice Guidelines (RPGs), which apply to
information reported outside of the financial statements. RPGs provide guidelines for good practice,
rather than requirements, although an entity can claim compliance with an RPG when it fully applies an
RPG’s guidelines. To date the IPSASB has approved and issued three RPGs; RPG 1, Reporting on the
Long-Term Sustainability of an Entity’s Finances, RPG 2, Financial Statement Discussion and Analysis,
and RPG 3, Reporting Service Performance Information.
All IPSASB pronouncements are published annually in the IPSASB’s Handbook of International Public
Sector Accounting Pronouncements (the IPSASB Handbook), in English. The official text for any IPSASB
pronouncement is its English text. The IPSASB Handbook is also available in 14 other languages,
including Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish and Russian. Translated versions of the IPSASB Handbook
may be several years behind the most recent English version. The references section below lists all
IPSASB pronouncements as of January 2016.

The IPSASB and its Development of IPSAS

As previously stated IPSAS are developed by the IPSASB. Development of high quality IPSAS that
support the public interest requires appropriate arrangements for:
(a) IPSASB membership;
(b) Governance over the IPSASB; and
(c) Due process for development of IPSASB pronouncements.

IPSASB Membership
The IPSASB has 18 members, appointed by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) on the
recommendation of the IFAC Nominating Committee. The selection process aims to identify the best
person for the job, which means that the primary criteria are the individual qualities and abilities of the
nominee in relation to the position for which they are nominated. The Nominating Committee also seeks a
broad regional and professional representation, representations from countries with different levels of
economic development and a gender balance. For example, in 2015 the IPSASB’s 18 members reflected
the following geographic representation and gender balance:
(a) Africa–2; Asia and Australasia–6; Europe–5; the Americas–5.
(b) Males–13; females–5.
Until recently the majority of IPSASB member nominations were restricted to nominations received from
IFAC Member Bodies. Nominations are now open and can be made by any organization or any individual.
IPSASB appointments are for a three year term, renewable for a further three years. IPSASB members
usually serve a total of six years. If a member is appointed to either the position of IPSASB chair or
deputy chair this has the effect of extending their term on the IPSASB for a further three years.
IPSASB members sign a declaration that they will act in the public interest and with integrity in
discharging their roles. While members bring knowledge of accounting issues from their particular
national jurisdictions, which is important for IPSAS development, they are expected to promote good
quality financial reporting rather than accounting treatments that benefit a particular jurisdiction or
particular organization’s interest.

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The IPSASB meets four times each year, in March, June, September and December, for four consecutive
days each meeting. Meetings are open to the public, who must register to attend. Three of the meetings
usually take place in Toronto, Canada, where the IPSASB’s technical department is located. The location
of the fourth, non–Toronto meeting is chosen based on invitations received to host the meeting; need for
outreach to particular countries or regions; host organizations’ willingness to contribute towards meeting
costs; and, ease of travel to the proposed location.
Most IPSASB members are supported by a technical advisor, who accompanies the member to meetings.
The IPSASB as a whole is supported by a technical department. Technical staff are employed by IFAC.
They manage IPSASB project, research and draft meeting papers and develop draft pronouncements
and other documents for the IPSASB’s consideration.
The IPSASB’s official observers are from the following institutions: Asian Development Bank, European
Commission, European Investment Bank, Eurostat, International Accounting Standards Board, United
Nations, United Nations Development Program, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), the World Bank Group, the International Organization for Supreme Audit
Institutions (INTOSAI) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IPSASB observers represent
organizations that have a strong interest in financial reporting in the public sector, provide ongoing input
to the work of the IPSASB, and endorse or otherwise support IPSAS. Observers have the right to speak
at IPSASB meetings, although generally they observe rather than participate in discussions.

Governance over the IPSASB

The IPSASB’s governance arrangements provide assurance that the board is independent, acts in the
public interest, and develops standards that result from widespread and carefully considered comment
from interested stakeholders around the world. Significant changes to the IPSASB governance have
occurred during 2015–2016. The IPSASB Governance Review Group, chaired by the IMF, OECD, and
World Bank, with members from the Financial Stability Board (FSB), International Organization of
Securities Commissions (IOSCO), and INTOSAI, published its recommendations on IPSASB governance
in March 2015, in The Future Governance of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board
(IPSASB) IPSASB Governance Review Group—Recommendations, published by the OECD. The report’s
two main recommendations were establishment of a Public Interest Committee (PIC) and a Consultative
Advisory Group (CAG). These changes have been made.
The PIC was established in 2015. As of May 2016 it had met three times—in March and September 2015,
and March 2016. The PIC’s mandate is to ensure that the IPSASB’s procedures, also called due process,
are acceptable from a public interest perspective. The PIC advises on the procedures used to develop
IPSAS, RPGs, and the IPSASB’s strategy and work plan. It considers the transparency of the overall
process applied and each subsection of that process.
Appointment of the inaugural Chair of the IPSASB CAG, Thomas Müller-Marqués Berger, was
announced in December 2015. The CAG’s inaugural meeting was held in June 2016. The CAG provides
advice to the IPSASB on:
(a) The IPSASB’s strategy and work plan;
(b) IPSASB’s projects, including views on technical issues or matters that may impede adopting and
implementation of IPSAS; and

(c) Other matters relevant to the IPSASB standard-setting activities.

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CAG members represent public and private sector organizations and individuals who are interested in or
affected by the IPSASB’s work, including those engaged in the preparation, audit or use of public sector
entities general purpose financial reports.

IPSASB Due Process for Development of Pronouncements

The IPSASB has established “due process” for developing IPSAS, other authoritative pronouncements,
and its strategy and work plan. Due process is a set of formal procedures carried out regularly and in
accordance with established rules and principles. The IPSASB due process is similar to that used by the
IASB and other international standard setting bodies such as the International Auditing and Assurance
Standards Board.
The main due process provisions for developing IPSAS are as follows:

(a) IPSASB meetings are open to the public.

(b) The IPSASB consults on development of its strategy and work plan.
(c) For development of an IPSAS (or other pronouncement) the IPSASB:

i. Approves a project brief.

ii. Develops and then approves an exposure draft (ED) of a proposed IPSAS, which is then
issued for comment.

iii. Ensures that all comments received on the ED are publicly posted after the end of the
exposure period.
iv. Develops a revised version of the draft IPSAS, taking into account comments received on
the ED, and then votes on approval of the final revised content of the IPSAS. (A two thirds
vote in favor is required for document approval.)
v. Sets an effective date for the application of the final, IPSASB approved IPSAS.

vi. The IPSASB issues a basis for conclusions with each IPSAS.

The IPSASB discussions, decisions and approvals in the development process set out above occur at
IPSASB meetings, so that each critical step of the development process is open to public view.
As part of the IPSASB’s new governance arrangements, these due process provisions are being codified
and revised for review and approval by the IPSASB’s PIC. The PIC is expected to formally approve the
IPSASB’s codified due process during 2016.

Codification will be more detailed than the description above. Codification will identify where and how the
IPSASB (or its Chair and Technical Director) obtains the PIC’s review of the actual process followed by
the IPSASB. The PIC will be involved in the development and oversight of the IPSASB’s strategy and
work plan, including providing advice on the appropriateness and completeness of the strategy and work
plan from a public interest perspective. For all IPSAS projects, the PIC will provide its view on whether
due process has been followed effectively. Codification will also establish the CAG’s involvement with the
IPSASB’s processes. The IPSASB will consult with the CAG on strategy and work plan matters and on
the development and finalization of an IPSAS.
During development of IPSAS the IPSASB’s applies the Conceptual Framework. It also refers to its two
internal policy papers—Process for Reviewing and Modifying IASB Documents and Process for
Considering GFS Reporting Guidelines during Development of IPSASs.

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The Conceptual Framework consists of a Preface and eight chapters, which address the following topics:
Chapters 1 to 4: General Purpose Financial Reports (GPFRs), the objectives of GPFRs, users of
GPFRs and their needs, qualitative characteristics of information in GPFRs,
constraints on information in GPFRs, and the reporting entity
Chapter 5 to 6: Elements in Financial Statements
Chapter 7 Measurement of Elements in Financial Statements
Chapter 8 Presentation of Information in GPFRs

The Conceptual Framework concepts guide how the IPSASB addresses financial reporting issues. For
example, when considering whether an event or transaction results in an asset that should be recognized
in the financial statements, the IPSASB begins by considering the Conceptual Framework’s coverage of
assets and their recognition.
The IPSASB’s Process for Reviewing and Modifying IASB Documents sets out the process that the
IPSASB follows when considering IASB documents for convergence, including determining whether
public sector issues warrant departures from the IASB document. This internal IPSASB policy paper,
issued in 2008, clarifies how the IPSASB applies its IFRS–convergence policy. It sets out criteria for when
an accounting issue can be addressed through convergence with an IFRS and when an issue warrants
either a public sector specific departure from an IFRS or development of a public sector specific IPSAS.
During IPSASB discussions this paper has been referred to as “The Rules of the Road”.
When developing IPSAS the IPSASB aims to avoid unnecessary differences between GFS reporting
guidelines and IPSAS. The IPSASB’s internal policy paper Process for Considering GFS Reporting
Guidelines during Development of IPSASs describes the process applied to reduce such differences.
The policy paper explains that there is considerable overlap between IPSAS and GFS reporting
guidelines. Both reporting frameworks are concerned with financial, accrual-based information; a
government’s assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses; and, comprehensive information on cash flows.
Because of this overlap, there is scope to reduce differences while remaining consistent with both the
IPSASB’s Conceptual Framework and its policy on IFRS convergence. The policy paper also notes that
GFS reporting guidelines and IPSAS have different objectives, which can result in some fundamental
differences on how, what and where information is reported. In considering scope to reduce differences
the IPSASB aims to remain true to the objectives of financial reporting, with the result that some
differences will always remain.
The IPSASB regularly updates its IFRS–converged IPSASs for relatively minor revisions arising from
similar changes made to the equivalent IFRS or IAS. These regular updates are called “improvements”.
An Improvements project results in an exposure draft and final pronouncement, which usually result in
revisions to an existing IPSAS rather than a new IPSAS. Improvements projects occur, on average, once
every two years.

History of IPSAS and the IPSASB

In late 1996, the IFAC Board enacted its decision to transform IFAC’s Public Sector Committee (PSC) into
an international standard setter for public sector accounting standards. Prior to this the PSC had been a
forum for discussion and information sharing about public sector accounting and the wider set of public
sector financial management issues. It had issued studies on concepts central to public sector financial
reporting, for example, the information needs of users of public sector general purpose financial reports

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and the elements of financial statements. The PSC began its new role as a standard setter in 1997, but
retained its name until late 2004, when it became the IPSASB.
Ian Ball had been the Chair of the PSC prior to the 1996 change, and continued as Chair during the
PSC’s first years as an accounting standard setter, from 1997 to the end of 1999. He had led the
implementation of accruals accounting in the New Zealand Government and was a Professor of
Accounting at Victoria University of Wellington. The PSC began work on the first stage of the PSC’s what
was called its “Standards Project”. The main objective of the Standards Project was development of a
core set of IPSAS, based on the IASs on issue as of 31 August 1997, by the end of 2001. By the end of
1999, the first eight IPSAS had been issued. Six further IPSAS had been approved by the PSC, and
these were issued in early 2000.
Ian Mackintosh, formerly Chair of the Australian Public Sector Accounting Standards Board, was PSC
Chair from 2000 to 2003. Six further IPSAS were developed and issued, so that the planned core set of
twenty accruals–basis IPSAS had been completed by the beginning of 2004. The PSC also issued Study
14, Transition to the Accrual Basis of Accounting: Guidance for Public Sector Entities, Study 11,
Governmental Financial Reporting: Accounting Issues and Practices, and Financial Reporting under the
Cash Basis of Accounting. A project to harmonize IPSAS with GFS reporting guidelines began in 2003.

Philippe Adhémar, Senior Advisor at France’s Court of Auditors, was PSC Chair for the period 2004 to
2006. During this time, two public sector specific IPSAS were issued—IPSAS 23, Revenue from Non-
exchange Transactions (Taxes and Transfers), and IPSAS 24, Presentation of Budget Information in
Financial Statements. A project on accounting for social benefits was started, which resulted in issuance
of an ED. The social benefits ED proposed recognition of certain types of social benefit obligations. In late
2006 the IPSASB decided to re-focus the social benefits project to instead develop guidelines on
reporting information on fiscal sustainability. During this same period the PSC issued a research report,
International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) and Statistical Bases of Financial Reporting:
An Analysis of Differences and Recommendations for Convergence, which systematically documented
similarities and differences between the two reporting frameworks. IPSAS 22, Disclosure of Financial
Information about the General Government Sector, was issued in 2006. Work began on projects to
account for impairment of cash-generating assets (based on IAS 36, Impairment), employee benefits
(based on IAS 19, Employee Benefits), and disclosure of information by recipients of external assistance.
Mike Hathorn, a partner in the audit firm Moore Stephens, was appointed IPSASB Chair for the period
2007 to 2009. During his chairmanship, the IPSASB focused primarily on development of IFRS–
converged IPSAS, aiming to converge with a stable platform of IFRSs as at the end of 2008. IPSAS 25,
Employee Benefits, and IPSAS 26, Impairment of Cash-Generating Assets, were issued in 2008. IPSAS
equivalents were developed for six further IFRS; IPSAS 26, Impairment of Cash-Generating Assets,
IPSAS 27, Agriculture, IPSAS 28, Financial Instruments: Presentation, IPSAS 29, Financial Instruments:
Recognition and Measurement, IPSAS 30, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, and IPSAS 31, Intangible
Assets. These standards were issued from 2008 through to early 2010. The IPSASB also initiated the first
IPSAS Improvements project to ensure that IFRSs/IASs revisions would be made on a regular basis to
the equivalent IPSAS. Work began on the Conceptual Framework and a project on reporting service
concession arrangements from the grantor (the government entity) perspective, while progress on the
fiscal sustainability project continued.
In 2010 Andreas Bergmann, Professor of Accounting at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences’ School
of Management and Law, succeeded Mike Hathorn as IPSASB chair. Andreas Bergmann’s three year
tenure was extended, and he served as IPSASB Chair for six years, until the end of 2015. During this six

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year period the IPSASB completed its Conceptual Framework, which was issued in October 2014. IPSAS
32, Service Concession Arrangements: Grantor, IPSAS 33, First–Time Adoption of Accrual Basis
IPSASs, and the IPSASB’s first RPGs were approved and issued. IFRS convergence work also
continued. A project to revise IPSASs 6 to 8 was approved in 2011 and resulted in issuance of five
replacement standards (IPSAS 34 to 38) in January 2015. Improvements standards were issued in 2010,
2011 and 2014. A consultation paper, IPSASs and GFS Reporting Guidelines, was developed, which
generated an appendix comparing the two reporting systems, in the IMF’s Government Finance Statistics
Manual 2014, and IPSASB approval of its internal policy document on reduction of unnecessary
differences between IPSAS and GFS reporting guidelines. Other projects during this period aim to
address accounting for public sector combinations; public sector specific financial instruments, social
benefits, revenue, non–exchange expenses, involvement in emissions trading schemes, and heritage
assets. A project on GBEs (or the applicability of IPSAS) was also initiated.
Ian Carruthers became IPSASB Chair in January 2016, after serving as an IPSASB member from the
beginning of 2010. He is the first remunerated IPSASB Chair, spending 75% of his time in that role, while
continuing to work for the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA), where he is
part-time Chair, CIPFA Standards.

Application of IPSAS
IPSAS are designed to be applied by public sector entities that:
(a) Deliver services to benefit the public and/or to redistribute income and wealth;

(b) Mainly finance their activities by means of taxes and/or transfers from other levels of government,
social contributions, debt or fees and do not have capital providers that are seeking a return on their
investment or a return of their investment; and,

(c) Do not have a primary objective to make profits.

IPSAS can be applied by national governments and entities that make up a national government, for
example government departments and related entities, lower levels of government such as state,
provincial or city governments, and international organizations such as the United Nations and the
European Commission.
IPSAS are not designed to apply to government business entities (GBEs). IPSAS 1, Presentation of
Financial Statements, defines a GBE, and explains that GBEs are similar to private sector, for–profit
companies. GBEs include government owned utilities (for example, telecommunications and power
companies) and financial enterprises (for example, banks and insurance companies). In March 2016 the
IPSASB approved changes to how it communicates which entities should apply IPSAS. The definition of a
GBE in IPSAS 1 has been removed and replaced with a paragraph in the Preface to the IPSASB
Handbook. The paragraph describes the type of public sector entity that the IPSASB expects to apply
IPSAS, when it develops these standards.

Adoption of IPSAS
There is no legal requirement at the international level for national jurisdictions or individual public sector
entities to apply IPSAS. Where a national jurisdiction chooses to adopt IPSAS that decision is then given
effect through legislation or regulation. In the case of international organizations IPSAS adoption is a
decision of the relevant governing body. For example, in the case of the United Nations IPSAS adoption
was a decision of the United Nations’ General Assembly.

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When adopting IPSAS national jurisdictions generally issue national standards that are based on IPSAS
and very similar to IPSAS. The extent of similarity varies between jurisdictions. International organizations
generally aim for full IPSAS compliance.
The IPSASB considers that:
The adoption of IPSASs by governments will improve both the quality and comparability of
financial information reported by public sector entities around the world. The IPSASB
recognizes the right of governments and national standard–setters to establish accounting
standards and guidelines for financial reporting in their jurisdictions. The IPSASB
encourages the adoption of IPSASs and the harmonization of national requirements with
IPSASs. Financial statements should be described as complying with IPSASs only if they
comply with all the requirements of each applicable IPSAS. [Page 1, Handbook of
International Public Sector Accounting Pronouncements, 2015 Edition.]
There appears to be a world–wide trend towards IPSAS adoption by national governments and other
public sector entities. A 2013 survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), the PWC Global Survey on
Accounting and Reporting by Central Governments, estimated that, by 2020, 71% of central governments
would have either adopted IPSAS or be in the process of implementing IPSAS.

While many governments have announced that they are adopting IPSAS, the actual level of adoption is
difficult to ascertain. Presentations by IPSASB representatives indicate that more than forty national
jurisdictions have adopted accruals IPSAS. However few governments claim full compliance with all
IPSAS requirements, instead adapting them to allow for local needs. A 2012 Eurostat report, prepared by
Ernst and Young, Overview and Comparison of Public Accounting and Auditing Practices in the 27 EU
Member States, found that eight European Union member states—Estonia, France, Hungary, Malta,
Poland, Spain, Sweden, and The United Kingdom—applied accounting standards that were 75% or more
aligned with IPSAS for their central government public sector entities. Information provided by IFAC
member bodies, which report to IFAC on their jurisdictions’ compliance with IFAC supported standards,
identifies other countries that have adopted IPSAS, including Austria, The Cayman Islands, Chile,
Guatemala, Peru and Switzerland, while at least 21 countries further have partially adopted IPSASs.
Public sector entities in New Zealand have applied IPSAS since 2014. The majority of international
organizations apply IPSAS, including the OECD, all United Nations system organizations, the European
Commission and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. IPSAS are treated as the starting point for
development of European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSASs), which are expected to support
improvement and harmonization of public sector financial reporting within the European Union.
IFAC, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission’s Eurostat
support IPSAS adoption on the basis that it can improve the financial information reported by public
sector entities, with likely improvements to entities’ financial management and financial sustainability.
Eurostat has promoted IPSAS adoption for consideration by European Union countries because of the
benefits that are expected to arise from better quality financial information as a basis for Government
Finance Statistics (GFS) reports. IPSAS delivers most benefits when an entity moves from either cash–
basis accounting or partial accrual–basis accounting to accounting fully on an accruals basis. A national
jurisdiction that is already applying high quality accruals–basis financial reporting standards receives
fewer benefits from IPSAS adoption.

Chapter-IPSAS-Gwenda Jensen for Global Ency Pub Admin Pub Pol_October-2016-final 13 October 2016 Page 8 of 10
Conclusion
In conclusion, IPSAS is a comprehensive set of international accounting standards for public sector
entities including national governments. Governments’ adoption of IPSAS is increasing, encouraged by
organizations such as the World Bank and the IMF. The IPSASB develops IPSAS. The IPSASB’s
membership, due process and governance structure support the goal of high quality accounting
standards that are developed in the public interest.

Cross–References
 Accrual Accounting
 Cash Accounting
 European Harmonization and EPSASs
 Financial Reporting
 Global Administrative Reforms
 Globalization and Public Administration

 Heritage Assets
 Public Sector Accounting

References
European Commission (2013), “Towards implementing harmonized public sector standards in Member
States. The suitability of IPSAS for the member states”, SWD(2013) 57 Final
Eurostat (2012), Overview and Comparison of Public Accounting and Auditing Practices in the 27 EU
Member States
IFAC (2015), Handbook of International Public Sector Accounting Pronouncements, 2015 Edition
IFAC (2007), IPSASs Adoption by Governments, available from
http://www.ifac.org/system/files/publications/files/IPSAS_Adoption_Governments.pdf .
IFAC (2004), The Public Sector Committee’s Standards Program—Background and Update, February
2004, Paul Sutcliffe, PSC Technical Director
IFAC (2004) Report of the Externally Chaired Review Panel on the Governance, Role and Organisation of
the International Federation of Accountants’ Public Sector Committee, June, 2004
IFAC (2004), Charting a New Course to the Future—2003 Annual Report IFAC 2004
IFAC (2000), Press Release: New International Public Sector Accounting Standards Released For
Comment, 16 July 2000
IFAC (2000), Public Sector Committee Standards Project, Project Background, Strategy and Funding
Requirements”, October 2000
Jensen, Gwenda R. and Ross A. Smith (2013), History of the IPSASB: Growing Influence—Reduced
Control?, paper for European Government and Public Administration Workshop, Public Sector
Management and IPSAS, Salerno, Italy, May 2013
IPSASB website at http://www.ipsasb.org/ has all IPSASB pronouncements, current and recent projects,
IPSASB meeting papers, and meeting minutes from November 2002 onwards
MacIntosh, Ian (1999), Public Sector Accounting Standard Setting in the Next Century, Issue 3, 1999.
The Australian Accountant

Chapter-IPSAS-Gwenda Jensen for Global Ency Pub Admin Pub Pol_October-2016-final 13 October 2016 Page 9 of 10
 OECD (2015), The Future Governance of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board
(IPSASB) IPSASB Governance Review Group—Recommendations, March 2013
PricewaterhouseCoopers (2013), PWC Global Survey on Accounting and Reporting by Central
Governments
Sutcliffe, Paul (2006), “International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) 1996 to 2006 –
Progress and Status”, Journal of Financial Management, August 2006

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