The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has released for comment the Consultation Paper, Public Sector Combinations. The IPSASB considers guidance on reporting public sector combinations necessary to meet the objectives of financial reporting, which are to provide information that is useful to users of General Purpose Financial Reports (GPFRs) for accountability and decision-making purposes. This project aims to present a principles-based approach to developing guidance for public sector entities on accounting for public sector combinations.
The Consultation Paper describes different types of public sector combinations and explores possible approaches to recognizing and measuring public sector combinations in GPFRs. It proposes a distinction between acquisitions and amalgamations. The Consultation Paper then considers approaches to combinations of entities and operations that are not under common control and of entities and operations that are under common control.
"Acquisitions and amalgamations occur regularly in the public sectors around the world. This Consultation Paper is the first step in proposing financial reporting requirements that will ensure that these transactions are reported in a consistent and transparent manner, ensuring that users’ are able to obtain the information needed to evaluate the nature and financial effect of a public sector combination," explained IPSASB Chair Andreas Bergmann.
How to Comment
To access the Consultation Paper and the At-a-Glance document, which provides a summary of the Consultation Paper, or to submit a comment letter, please visit the IPSASB website.
Comments on the Consultation Paper are requested by October 31, 2012. |
