Public Sector Accounting and Auditing in Europe

This book explores the complexities of public sector accounting across Europe, focusing on the challenges of harmonization among fourteen countries.

The book Public Sector Accounting and Auditing in Europe offers a comprehensive examination of the current state of governmental accounting across Europe. It analyzes public sector accounting, budgeting, and auditing systems in fourteen European nations, providing insights into the challenges these countries face as they strive to adopt the European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSAS). This collective work serves as a systematic overview of the various trajectories in public accounting and auditing, highlighting the diversity of responses to global public management pressures and the persistent influence of different administrative traditions.

In Public Sector Accounting and Auditing in Europe, the editors focus on the significant changes anticipated in public sector accounting, which is crucial for understanding fiscal policies and accountability. The book underscores the lack of uniformity among accounting systems across countries and emphasizes the ongoing challenge of achieving international harmonization. While the European Commission aims for regional alignment through EPSAS, the book illustrates the complexities involved, especially given the sovereignty associated with public sector accounting.

This ambitious work not only covers the essential financial cycle necessary for defining responsibilities and accountabilities in public service delivery but also addresses the need for harmonization of financial systems across Europe. By providing a detailed comparison of practices in fourteen countries, Public Sector Accounting and Auditing in Europe is a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the European public sector.