Skip to main content

What Role Can Accounting Standards for the Public Sector Play in Promoting Government Transparency?

Ian Ball | IFAC CEO
May 11, 2011 | World Bank Government Borrowers Forum | Santiago, Chile | English

Thank you, Tim, for the introduction. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be here today. I note that I am in the after-lunch panel, I am the last of four speakers, and my topic is accounting. Not a good start!

My topic is government transparency and the role financial reporting standards can play. I will draw particular attention to IPSASs, but I will come to that rather than start there. The subject of this panel discussion is "New Rules and Regulations for All." My component of this session is not so much new as more necessary and more urgent than ever before.