IFAC – Perspectives on Cost Accounting for Governments
September 2000 IFAC Study 12 Public Sector Committee Perspectives on Cost Accounting for Government International Public Sector Study Issued by the International Federation of Accountants International Federation of Accountants 535 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor New York, NY 10017 United States of America Copyright © 2000 by the International Federation of Accountants. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, with the prior written permission of the International Federation of Accountants. Information about the International Federation of Accountants and copies of this Study can be found at its internet site, http://www.ifac.org The approved text of this Study is that published in the English language. ISBN 1-887-464-60-3 PREFACE The objective of the Public Sector Committee (PSC) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is to develop programs aimed at improving public sector financial management and accountability. To that end, the IFAC PSC issues Standards, Guidelines, Studies and Occasional Papers. Studies are undertaken by the Committee to provide information that contributes to public sector financial reporting, accounting or auditing knowledge, and to stimulate discussion. The objectives of government are determined by the political process, and cost accounting is one of a number of tools that may be used to achieve those objectives. Although in some situations cost accounting may not be as central to achieving a particular government’s objectives as it is generally for private sector entities, it nevertheless almost always provides important information to help improve the functions of government.
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