Stakeholder Comments on Exposure Draft 81 Sought by May 31, 2022
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) has today released Exposure Draft (ED) 81, Conceptual Framework Update: Chapter 3, Qualitative Characteristics and Chapter 5, Elements in Financial Statements.
ED 81 is the second exposure draft resulting from the limited scope project to revise the Conceptual Framework in specified areas. ED 81 proposes updates to the chapters of the Conceptual Framework dealing with the attributes of financial information that make financial reporting useful-qualitative characteristics-and the building blocks of financial statements-elements.
In developing its proposals, the IPSASB has considered the Board’s experience in applying the Framework to the development and maintenance of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), as well as recent developments in international thinking about conceptual issues.
“Since its publication in 2014 the Conceptual Framework has been the cornerstone of IPSASB’s global standards delivery activity” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “The ED 81 proposals are intended to address issues that have emerged in the Framework’s application in practice, so that it remains central to global public sector financial reporting.”
The ED 81 proposals include:
- Clarifying the role of prudence in public sector financial reporting;
- Revised definitions of an asset and a liability;
- Clarifying what constitutes a transfer of resources when determining whether an entity has a liability; and
- Restructuring guidance on liabilities to improve clarity for users of the Framework.
The IPSASB welcomes the views of respondents on the proposed amendments to the Conceptual Framework.
How to Comment
To access the Exposure Draft, its summary At-a-Glance document, or to submit a comment, visit the IPSASB website. Comments are requested May 31, 2022. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of this Exposure Draft to their members and employees.
About the IPSASB
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards® (IPSAS®) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS and the benefits of accrual adoption. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, and the governments of Canada and New Zealand. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.
About the Public Interest Committee
The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.