The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) has published Recommended Practice Guideline 3 (RPG 3), Reporting Service Performance Information.
RPG 3 provides good practice guidelines on reporting service performance information. Development of this RPG reflects the IPSASB’s commitment to addressing public sector-specific reporting issues, including those that relate to information additional to the financial statements.
“Service provision is the primary function of the vast majority of public sector entities,” said IPSASB Chair Andreas Bergmann. “Service performance information is essential for users to evaluate the services provided and public sector entities’ efficient and effective use of resources to deliver those services. RPG 3 provides guidance to support the quality of service performance information already reported by entities and offers a useful framework for entities that have not yet started to report service performance information.”
RPG 3 provides principles applicable to the presentation of service performance information and definitions that establish a standardized service performance information terminology. It addresses the reporting entity and reporting period for service performance information. RPG 3 also provides guidance on the choice of performance indicators that show an entity’s achievements with respect to its service performance objectives, disclosures about the basis of the reported information, and service performance-related narrative discussion and analysis.
RPG 3 states that service performance information may be presented, either in the same report as the financial statements or in a separate report, and identifies factors to consider when making that decision.
About the IPSASB
The IPSASB develops accounting standards and guidance for use by public sector entities. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by IFAC. The IPSASB receives support (both direct financial and in-kind) from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the South African Accounting Standards Board, and the governments of Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
About IFAC®
IFAC is the global organization for the accountancy profession, dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. It is comprised of over 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.5 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce.