The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) has published a revised IPSAS, Financial Reporting under the Cash Basis of Accounting (the Cash Basis IPSAS). The amendments address some of the main barriers to adoption of this standard.
This revised version of the Cash Basis IPSAS implements the proposals made in Exposure Draft 61, Amendments to Financial Reporting under the Cash Basis of Accounting. These amendments recast from mandatory to voluntary:
- Preparation of consolidated financial statements;
- Disclosure of information about external and other assistance; and
- Disclosure of information about payments made by third parties.
The amendments also ensure that the standard’s requirements and encouragements are better aligned with requirements in relevant accrual IPSAS issued since 2008.
The revised version takes effect on January 1, 2019, with earlier adoption encouraged.
“These amendments respond to the views of preparers by removing some of the obstacles to adoption of the Cash Basis IPSAS,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “Robust financial reporting on a cash basis can be an important foundation for broader improvements in public sector financial management. However, the revisions make clear that the IPSASB views the Cash Basis IPSAS as an important stepping stone on the journey to full accrual accounting rather than an end in itself.”
First issued in 2003, and modified in 2006 and 2007, the Cash Basis IPSAS is the only IPSASB pronouncement that deals with the cash basis of accounting.
About the IPSASB
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) works to strengthen public financial management globally through the development of accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards® (IPSAS®) and other guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, and the governments of Canada and New Zealand. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.
About the Public Interest Committee
The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.
