General Goal: The qualification provides complete professional knowledge about international accounting standards in the public sector with an emphasis on their practical applications and interpretations. It also includes many examples of the application of standards by governments and public sector entities that issue financial statements compatible with international accounting standards in the public sector. By setting examples and shedding light on practices related to accounting and reporting matters and international accounting standards in the public sector, the qualification seeks to be a comprehensive reference for how to apply international accounting standards in the public sector on the accrual basis of accounting as well as on the modified cash basis.

Target Groups: •Workers in the local government sector and local authorities. •Workers in the intergovernmental organizations. •Accountants. •Accountants responsible for preparing management reports. •Financial managers who are responsible for the preparation of IFRS. •Specialists in auditing and financial business sector. •Lecturers specialized in IPSAS. •Accountants who obtained IACPA, CPA and/or CA qualifications.

Outline: The release of “Handbook of Interpretation and application of IPSAS” which was issued by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (Wiley) was accredited as a syllabus qualifying for the certificate. The handbook includes the following topics:

1. Theme I – Government financial system, its budgets, IAS, and recognition and
measurement of the items of the financial statements in accordance with IPSAS.

This theme consists of the following:
• Chapter 1: Introduction to IPSAS.
• Chapter 2: An approach to public sector accounting practices.
• Chapter 3: International public sector accounting standards board (IPSASB)
• Chapter 4: Main concepts of accrual-based accounting.
• Chapter 5: Presentation of financial statements.
• Chapter 6: Disclosure standards.
• Chapter 7: Long-term (non-current) assets
• Chapter 8: Current assets.
• Chapter 9: Service concession arrangements: grantor.
• Chapter 10: Leases and leasing arrangements.
• Chapter 11: Revenues and expenses.

2. Theme II: Reporting financial statements, financial instruments, and budgets, and specific standards according to IPSAS.

This theme consists of the following:
• Chapter 12: Employee benefits, social benefits, and other liabilities.
• Chapter 13: Provisions and contingencies (contingent assets and liabilities).
• Chapter 14: Budget reporting.
• Chapter 15: Financial instruments.
• Chapter 16: Consolidations and strategic investments.
• Chapter 17: Accounting for agriculture and accounting in hyperinflation economies.
• Chapter 18: Recommended practice guidelines (RPGs).
• Chapter 19: Cash-based IPSAS.
• Chapter 20: The transition to IPSAS.