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Public sector accrual accounting: institutionalising neo‐liberal principles?

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  • Sheila Ellwood
  • Susan Newberry

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of public sector accounting in implementing neoliberal reforms. Design/methodology/approach - The proposition that the adoption and development of accrual accounting in the public sector is a technical development intended to improve transparency and accountability is investigated. The paper compares the development and use of accrual accounting in public sector financial management reforms in the UK and New Zealand. Findings - The findings in this paper suggest that in both countries, accrual accounting, as developed, also provides a means to reduce the government's role to that of procurer of services and enforcer of rules set by others, thus advancing a controversial privatisation and trade liberalisation agenda which is consistent with neo‐liberal principles. Research limitations/implications - The paper shows that in contrast to more usual claims about the need for accrual accounting to provide a “read across between the sectors” or that public interest motives assure the neutrality of accounting, seemingly technical accrual accounting developments seem to function as a political tool to aid a controversial political agenda. There is a need to look at the overall effect of public sector financial management reforms and the role of, and implications for, accounting standard‐setters. Originality/value - The information in the paper applies to accounting the new political economics literature on agenda control and information based structures where control is achieved through information asymmetries.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheila Ellwood & Susan Newberry, 2007. "Public sector accrual accounting: institutionalising neo‐liberal principles?," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 20(4), pages 549-573, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:aaajpp:v:20:y:2007:i:4:p:549-573
    DOI: 10.1108/09513570710762584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Allan Barton, 2009. "The Use and Abuse of Accounting in the Public Sector Financial Management Reform Program in Australia," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 45(2), pages 221-248, June.
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    3. Cristian Carini & Laura Rocca & Claudio Teodori & Monica Veneziani, 2017. "The Reporting Entity in Private-Public Accounting Harmonisation. Is Control Enough for the Local Government Consolidated Financial Statements?," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(1), pages 5-29.
    4. Sheila Ellwood, 2016. "Editorial," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(3), pages 157-161, April.
    5. Adhikari, Pawan & Kuruppu, Chamara & Matilal, Sumohon, 2013. "Dissemination and institutionalization of public sector accounting reforms in less developed countries: A comparative study of the Nepalese and Sri Lankan central governments," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 213-230.
    6. Oulasvirta, Lasse, 2014. "The reluctance of a developed country to choose International Public Sector Accounting Standards of the IFAC. A critical case study," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 272-285.
    7. David Heald & Ron Hodges, 2018. "Accounting for government guarantees: perspectives on fiscal transparency from four modes of accounting," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(7), pages 782-804, November.
    8. Grosser, Kate & Moon, Jeremy, 2008. "Developments in company reporting on workplace gender equality?," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 179-198.
    9. Marco Tieghi & Rebecca L. Orelli & Emanuele Padovani, 2018. "Accounting Reform in Italian Universities. Internal Response to Accounting Change," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(1), pages 117-138.
    10. Cecilia Langella & Niccol? Persiani, 2022. "Il sistema delle procedure amministrativo-contabili della GSA: il caso di Regione Lombardia e Regione Veneto," MECOSAN, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(122), pages 59-84.
    11. Vincenzo Sforza & Pietro Marigonda & Bruno Bernardi & Alberto Domenicali, 2019. "L?impiego del controllo di gestione negli atenei: i risultati di un?indagine AssoController," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2019(3), pages 99-122.
    12. Mari Kobayashi & Kiyoshi Yamamoto & Keiko Ishikawa, 2016. "The Usefulness of Accrual Information in Non‐mandatory Environments: The Case of Japanese Local Government," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 26(2), pages 153-161, June.
    13. Ejiogu, Amanze & Ambituuni, Ambisisi & Ejiogu, Chibuzo, 2021. "Accounting for accounting’s role in the neoliberalization processes of social housing in England: A Bourdieusian perspective," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    14. Sheila Ellwood, 2008. "Accounting for Public Hospitals: A Case Study of Modified GAAP," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 44(4), pages 399-422, December.
    15. Fawzi Laswad & Nives Botica Redmayne, 2015. "IPSAS or IFRS as the Framework for Public Sector Financial Reporting? New Zealand Preparers’ Perspectives," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 25(2), pages 175-184, June.
    16. Kathryn Trewavas & Nives Botica Redmayne & Fawzi Laswad, 2012. "The Impact of IFRS Adoption on Public Sector Financial Statements," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 22(1), pages 86-102, March.
    17. Malsch, Bertrand & Gendron, Yves, 2011. "Reining in auditors: On the dynamics of power surrounding an “innovation” in the regulatory space," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 456-476.
    18. Mussari Riccardo, 2014. "EPSAS and the Unification of Public Sector Accounting Across Europe," Accounting, Economics, and Law: A Convivium, De Gruyter, vol. 4(3), pages 299-312, December.
    19. Andrew, Jane & Cahill, Damien, 2017. "Rationalising and resisting neoliberalism: The uneven geography of costs," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 12-28.
    20. Rana, Tarek & Hoque, Zahirul, 2020. "Institutionalising multiple accountability logics in public services: Insights from Australia," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(4).
    21. Gaia Bassani & Cristiana Cattaneo, 2017. "Pratiche di controllo di gestione nel contesto sanitario italiano: i cambiamenti in atto nel Sistema Sociosanitario Lombardo," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(3), pages 11-29.
    22. Chandrasiri Abeysinghe & Dinushika Samanthi, 2016. "Accrual Basis and Political Interest in Public Sector Accounting. The Case of a Municipal Council in Sri Lanka," International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, vol. 6(3), pages 58-68, July.
    23. Ferry, Laurence & Zakaria, Zamzulaila & Zakaria, Zarina & Slack, Richard, 2018. "Framing public governance in Malaysia: Rhetorical appeals through accrual accounting," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 170-183.
    24. Rajat Deb, 2018. "Financial Audit or Forensic Audit? Government Sector Panorama," Indian Journal of Corporate Governance, , vol. 11(2), pages 135-158, December.

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