The objective is to issue a revised IPSAS 25, Employee Benefits which would be converged with the underlying IAS 19, Employee Benefits. The intermediate objective is to produce an Exposure Draft of proposed changes.

Background

IPSAS 25, Employee Benefits was issued in February 2008 and is drawn primarily from IAS 19 (2004), Employee Benefits.

El Consejo de Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad para el Sector Público^® (IPSASB^®) ha publicado, para comentarios, el Borrador de Consulta (ED por sus siglas en inglés) 56, La aplicabilidad de las NICSP.

El ED 56 propone lo siguiente:

• La revisión del Prólogo a las Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad para el Sector Público, a fin de proporcionar las características de las entidades del sector público para las cuales las NICSP están destinadas;
• La eliminación de la definición de Entes Públicos Empresariales (GBE, por su sigla en inglés) en la NICSP 1, Presentación de Estados Financieros; y
• La enmienda de la sección de alcance de cada Norma Internacional de Contabilidad para el Sector Público™ (IPSAS™) y la Directriz de Práctica Recomendada (RPG por su sigla en inglés), retirando el párrafo que indica que estos pronunciamientos no aplican a los GBE.

Los cambios propuestos en el ED 56 abordan preocupaciones de los constituyentes sobre la aplicación de las NICSP en las entidades del sector público.  Actualmente, cada NICSP incluye una declaración que establece que no aplica a los GBE, las cuales se espera sean entidades del sector público con una orientación comercial.  El término “Ente Público Empresarial” se encuentra definido en la NICSP 1, Presentación de Estados Financieros.

El IPSASB recibió comentarios que afirmaban que un amplio rango de entidades se consideran GBE, a pesar de que algunas no cumplen con la definición NICSP de un GBE. En otros casos, se observan diferentes interpretaciones de la definición de un GBE.

“Las propuestas de este Borrador de Consulta ofrecen una manera más transparente de comunicar los tipos de entidades del sector público que el IPSASB considera durante el desarrollo de las NICSP y las RPG”, expresó el Presidente del IPSASB, Andreas Bergmann. “Estas implementan un enfoque de alto nivel, basado en principios del Marco Conceptual para los Informes Financieros con Propósito General por parte de las Entidades del Sector Público.”

“Estas propuestas reconocen el rol de los reguladores al definir los estándares de contabilidad que deben ser aplicados por las diferentes entidades en sus jurisdicciones, y abordan las preocupaciones de los constituyentes sobre las diferentes interpretaciones de la definición de un GBE”, añadió el Profesor Bergmann.  “Estamos a la expectativa de saber si los constituyentes apoyan los cambios en las NICSP y RPG propuestos en este Borrador de Consulta o si presentan perspectivas alternativas”.

La publicación del Borrador de Consulta 56 sigue las consideraciones del IPSASB frente a las respuestas al Documento de Consulta (CP por sus siglas en inglés), La Aplicabilidad de las NICSP para los Entes Públicos Empresariales y Demás Entidades del Sector Público. El CP propuso dos enfoques principales para comunicar el punto de vista del IPSASB sobre las entidades para las cuales desarrolla las NICSP. El primer enfoque incluía la descripción de las características de las entidades del sector público para las cuales las NICSP están orientadas. El segundo enfoque consistía en conservar la definición modificada de GBE, reduciéndola a entidades del sector público con ánimo de lucro.

La mayoría de quienes respondieron al CP mostró su apoyo al primer enfoque -presentación de las características de las entidades del sector público para las cuales las NICSP están orientadas- mediante el uso de la redacción actual del PSASB, en lugar de conservar y mejorar la definición de GBE. Las propuestas del ED hacen efectivo tal enfoque.

Cómo comentar
Para acceder al ED y al resumen At-a-Glance del ED, o para enviar comentarios, por favor visitar el sitio web del IPSASB en www.ipsasb.org. Los comentarios al ED deben ser enviados antes de noviembre 30, 2015. El IPSASB invita a los miembros, asociados, y organizaciones contables regionales de la  IFAC^® a promover la disponibilidad de estos ED a sus miembros y empleado.

Acerca del IPSASB
El IPSASB desarrolla normas contables y guías para uso de las entidades del sector público. El IPSASB recibe el apoyo (tanto financiero como en especie) del Banco Mundial, el Banco Asiático de Desarrollo, los Contadores Profesionales Certificados de Canadá, el Consejo Sudafricano de Normas Contables, y los gobiernos de Canadá, Nueva Zelanda y Suiza. Las estructuras y los procesos que soportan las operaciones del IPSASB son facilitados por la IFAC.

Acerca de IFAC
IFAC es la organización global para la profesión contable, dedicada a servir el interés público a través del fortalecimiento de la profesión y la contribución para el desarrollo de economías internacionales sólidas. La IFAC se compone de 175 miembros y asociados en 130 países y territorios, representando aproximadamente a 2,8 millones de contadores en la práctica pública, la educación, el gobierno, la industria y el comercio.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^® (IPSASB^®) today released for comment two Exposure Drafts (EDs): ED 57, Impairment of Revalued Assets, and ED 58, Improvements to IPSASs 2015.

ED 57 proposes to bring property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets on the revaluation model within the scope of the IPSASB’s two standards on impairment―IPSAS™ 21, Impairment of Non-Cash-Generating Assets, and IPSAS 26, Impairment of Cash-Generating Assets. These changes seek to provide users with relevant information on impairments to these assets. They also clarify that an impairment to one or more individual assets within a class of property, plant, and equipment does not necessitate a revaluation of the entire class to which that impaired asset belongs.

ED 58 proposes minor changes as follows:

• Consequential amendments arising from the first four chapters of the Conceptual Framework for General Purpose Financial Reporting by Public Sector Entities;
• General improvements to International Public Sector Accounting Standards™;
• Improvements to increase consistency with Government Finance Statistics reporting guidelines; and
• Improvements to maintain convergence with International Financial Reporting Standards.

This is the first IPSASB Improvements project to consider broader improvements, rather than focusing solely on those to maintain convergence with IFRS.

“Although the changes proposed in these Exposure Drafts are minor, they address concerns directly raised by our stakeholders,” said IPSASB Chair Andreas Bergmann. “As an increasing number of jurisdictions adopt IPSAS, it is important that we respond to the issues they identify. We look forward to receiving constituents’ views on these proposals.”

How to Comment
To access the EDs, or to submit a comment, please visit the IPSASB website at www.ipsasb.org. Comments on the EDs are requested by January 15, 2016. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and regional accountancy organizations to promote the availability of these EDs to their members and employees.

About the IPSASB
The IPSASB develops accounting standards and guidance for use by public sector entities. It 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. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by IFAC. “International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board,” “IPSASB,” and “IPSAS” are trademarks or registered trademarks of IFAC in the US and other countries.

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. IFAC is comprised of over 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.8 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce. “International Federation of Accountants” and “IFAC” are trademarks or registered trademarks of IFAC in the US and other countries.

In this multimedia presentation, IPSASB Technical Manager Paul Mason leads a discussion with IPSASB Member Bob Dacey on some of the key issues raised in the IPSASB’s recent Consultation Paper on Social Benefits. 

To make changes to the requirements of the Cash Basis IPSAS dealing with consolidation, external assistance and third party payments that will reduce obstacles to adoption of the IPSAS.

To undertake a high level “housekeeping” review of the IPSAS to ensure that its requirements remain appropriate, including any requirements derived from the equivalent accrual IPSASs.

Background

The Cash Basis IPSAS was issued in January 2003. It comprises two parts:

In the wake of the sovereign debt crisis, the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) is facing increasing demands for its standards and for guidance on their adoption and implementation.

During this audio podcast, Acting Technical Director John Stanford interviews Chair Andreas Bergmann and Senior Technical Manager Gwenda Jensen on the IPSASB's recent standard-setting work and other key projects discussed its September 22-25, 2015, meeting. 

This Strategy of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) covers the period from 2015 forward and was developed after consultation with stakeholders.

It will guide the IPSASB’s activities from 2015 forward so that the IPSASB can fulfill its public interest mandate.

An appendix to the strategy provides brief descriptions of projects recently approved by the IPSASB

Ian Carruthers has been appointed chair of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board^® (IPSASB^®) for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2016.

As chair Mr. Carruthers will lead the board in its efforts to establish high-quality accounting standards for use by public sector entities, promote the adoption of and international convergence to the IPSAS™ pronouncements, and issue guidance on topics in public sector financial reporting.

“I am honored to have been chosen to lead the IPSASB through the next exciting and crucial phase of its work,” Mr. Carruthers said. “The recently completed Conceptual Framework will enable us to address some of the most fundamental reporting issues facing the public sector today. We will also build on the heightened credibility from our enhanced governance arrangements and the existing IPSAS adoption groundswell to play a critical role in strengthening global public financial management—which, in turn, will improve public sector decision-making and make governments more accountable to their constituents.”

Mr. Carruthers has served on the IPSASB since January 2010. Currently, he serves as chair of the IPSASB Task Force on Alignment of IPSAS and Public Sector Statistical Reporting. He also chaired the IPSASB Task Force on Long-term Fiscal Sustainability and participated in the Task Force for Harmonization of Public Sector Accounts and the Non-exchange Revenue Steering Committee. Prior to becoming an IPSASB member, Mr. Carruthers served from 2006 to 2009 as technical advisor to former IPSASB Chair Michael Hathorn.

Having spent the first part of his career in the public sector practice of PwC, Mr. Carruthers joined HM Treasury in 1999, where he played a key role in the UK Government’s transition from cash to accrual budgeting and reporting, in particular leading its Whole of Government Accounts program. He joined the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in 2006 where his work has included leading its work on the role of the public services CFO, as well as working with IFAC on the development of the International Framework for Good Governance in the Public Sector.

Commenting on Mr. Carruthers’ appointment, current IPSASB Chair Andreas Bergmann said, “Ian is an experienced leader whose skills, knowledge, and global contacts will help the IPSASB successfully reach its next stage of development. With this appointment, I am confident that the IPSASB—and the public interest—will continue to be well-served.”

Mr. Carruthers was nominated for the IPSASB Chair position by CIPFA, with the Public Interest Committee welcoming the recruitment process from a public interest perspective. He will undertake the chair role for three-quarters of his time, with the balance spent with CIPFA.

About the IPSASB
The IPSASB develops accounting standards and guidance for use by public sector entities. It 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. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by IFAC. “International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board”, “IPSASB”, and “IPSAS” are trademarks or registered trademarks of IFAC in the US and other countries.

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. IFAC is comprised of over 175 members and associates in 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing approximately 2.8 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce. “International Federation of Accountants” and “IFAC” are trademarks or registered trademarks of IFAC in the US and other countries.

About PIC
The Public Interest Committee (PIC) was established in March 2015 to promote the public interest in the standard-setting activities of the IPSASB. The PIC issues non-binding advice to IFAC and the IPSASB on the procedures and processes for nomination and appointment of IPSASB members, formulating the IPSASB strategy and work plan, and developing individual accounting standards. The PIC also advises on the terms of reference of the IPSASB. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and World Bank Group (WBG).