Consolidated Financial Statements (CFSs) in the public sector represent useful financial tools to improve transparency and accountability toward internal and external users. This aggregate view is only a part of the information needed in order to give politicians, managers, employees, financial institutions, rating agencies, and citizens a whole view of a local government’s financial performance. It emerges the need to have segment information, covering specific policy areas for which it is appropriate to separately report financial and non-financial information. This paper, after having discussed the need for accountability and decision-making in a theoretical framework, gives account of a pilot project realized by the municipality of Reggio Emilia, which introduced CFSs and segment reporting. The empirical study is based on an action research as a methodological approach to solving practical problems. Finally, the paper also offers some practical suggestions to contribute to the applicability of the segment reporting in the public sector.

From consolidation to segmental reporting in local governments: accountability needs, accounting standards, and the effect on decision-makers / Grossi, Giuseppe; Mori, Elisa; Bardelli, Federica. - In: JOURNAL OF MODERN ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING. - ISSN 1548-6583. - 10, 1:(2014), pp. 32-46.

From consolidation to segmental reporting in local governments: accountability needs, accounting standards, and the effect on decision-makers

MORI, Elisa;
2014

Abstract

Consolidated Financial Statements (CFSs) in the public sector represent useful financial tools to improve transparency and accountability toward internal and external users. This aggregate view is only a part of the information needed in order to give politicians, managers, employees, financial institutions, rating agencies, and citizens a whole view of a local government’s financial performance. It emerges the need to have segment information, covering specific policy areas for which it is appropriate to separately report financial and non-financial information. This paper, after having discussed the need for accountability and decision-making in a theoretical framework, gives account of a pilot project realized by the municipality of Reggio Emilia, which introduced CFSs and segment reporting. The empirical study is based on an action research as a methodological approach to solving practical problems. Finally, the paper also offers some practical suggestions to contribute to the applicability of the segment reporting in the public sector.
2014
10, 1
32
46
From consolidation to segmental reporting in local governments: accountability needs, accounting standards, and the effect on decision-makers / Grossi, Giuseppe; Mori, Elisa; Bardelli, Federica. - In: JOURNAL OF MODERN ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING. - ISSN 1548-6583. - 10, 1:(2014), pp. 32-46.
Grossi, Giuseppe; Mori, Elisa; Bardelli, Federica
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1073827
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