ED 91 proposes to clarify and restructure existing guidance and add new non-authoritative guidance to IPSAS 33, First-time Adoption of Accrual Basis International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) to help public sector entities adopt accrual basis IPSAS.
“The IPSASB encourages public-sector entities and jurisdictions around the world to apply the accrual basis of accounting through the adoption and implementation of accrual basis IPSAS. The successful application of IPSAS 33 is often a cornerstone of IPSAS adoption and implementation” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “This ED aims to clarify the requirements of IPSAS 33 to assist entities and jurisdictions in successfully completing their IPSAS transition journey.”
IPSAS 33, First-time Adoption of Accrual Basis International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), was issued in 2015 and has been applied by a number of public sector entities during their transition to accrual basis IPSAS. The IPSASB heard from these stakeholders that:
IPSAS 33 should be more user-friendly when applied as part of the entity’s broader transition journey;
Reliefs should be more clearly set in the entire transition process to accrual basis IPSAS; and
Reliefs should be designed to encourage the recognition and measurement of items, contributing to compliance as early as possible.
The proposals in the Limited Scope Update Project do not propose to change the objective, scope, or available exemptions in IPSAS 33. Rather, the amendments to IPSAS 33 are aimed to make it easier to apply and to encourage first-time adopters to comply with IPSAS in a planned way as soon as possible. Feedback received to this ED will help shape the final amendments to IPSAS 33.
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, the government of Canada, and The World Bank. 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.
In preparation for its 5th Research Forum, which will be co-hosted by Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research Network (CIGAR) at its June 2025 conference, the IPSASB is calling for scholarly contributions from the academic community. This is an opportunity for researchers to have a significant impact on accounting standards used by governments and public sector entities across the globe.
Coordinated through the Academic Advisory Group, which includes independent scholars from all parts of the world, as well as the IPSASB members who have an academic background, the IPSASB is offering a grant of USD $2,000 for selected scholarly papers submitted covering three research areas. Up to six grants are available in total.
The research areas of interest are:
Presentation of Financial Statements
Interaction with GFSM 2014
Accounting for Biodiversity in the Public Sector
IPSAS 18, Segment Reporting
IPSAS 20, Related Party Disclosures
IPSAS 31, Intangible Assets
IPSAS 35, Consolidated Financial Statements
IPSAS 41, Financial Instruments
The grant recipients, as well as other scholars, will present the first drafts of their full papers at the 2025 Research Forum (June 2025). As a first step, academics are invited to submit abstractsby October 4, 2024. For more information, see the IPSASB’s Call for Papers.
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, the government of Canada, and the World Bank. 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.
