Latin–American public financial reporting: recent and future development |
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Authors: | Carmen Caba Pérez Antonio López Hernández |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Almeria, Almeria, SpainDepartment of Accounting and Finance, University of Almeria, Faculty of CCEE 04120, Almeria, Spain.;2. Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Granada, Granada, Spain |
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Abstract: | In recent years, numerous Latin–American countries have carried out reforms in their public accounting systems, with technical cooperation provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Taking into account the lack of international accounting standards for the public sector, USAID has designed a model termed Integrated Financial Management System for Latin America and the Caribbean (IFMS or SIMAFAL). This model is intended to provide better financial information for governmental decision‐taking as regards the allocation of resources; a further goal is to achieve greater transparency and for a higher degree of responsibility to be accepted for the commitments made and the results of activities undertaken. Important changes are currently taking place on the international public accounting scene and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is pressing for the adoption of a set of international public accounting standards by Latin–American countries. In this article, we compare the level of information included in the year‐end governmental public report in Latin–American countries which have carried out their reforms outside SIMAFAL with that of others which have followed this model. Second, we examine the extent to which the public financial reporting practices recommended by IFAC coincide with those adopted by the above countries. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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Keywords: | financial reporting financial information Latin America IPSAS public accounts |
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