2007年-世界发展银行全球_Sri_Lanka___Public_Sector_Accounting_and_Auditing_A_Comparison_to_International_Standards_79页_1mb

报告摘要

Summary of Public Sector Accounting and Auditing in Sri Lanka: A Comparison to International Standards

Core Content

This report, prepared by the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka and various stakeholders, assesses the current state of public sector accounting and auditing practices in Sri Lanka in comparison to international standards. It outlines the findings of a participatory review process and proposes action plans to improve compliance and transparency in public financial management (PFM).

Main Objectives

To provide a common understanding of the current status of public sector accounting and auditing in relation to international standards.
To identify variances from these standards.
To chart a path for reducing these variances.
To establish a continuing basis for measuring improvements in PFM.

Key Findings

Public Sector Accounting

Current Status:
- Government accounts are largely in accordance with the Cash Basis IPSAS, though no law formally mandates the adoption of IPSAS.
- State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) follow IFRS, but their accounts are often qualified by auditors due to non-compliance.
- The State Accounts Department is working towards transitioning to the accrual basis of accounting, and has made improvements in financial reporting formats for 2005 based on international best practices.
- There is a lack of a formal legal framework for the adoption of IPSAS.
- Accounting education and training are not fully aligned with International Education Standards (IES).
Recommendations:
- Amend Financial Regulations to incorporate IPSAS.
- Prepare a proposal for the adoption of IPSAS in collaboration with the CIPFA.
- Update the efficiency bar examinations and include IPSAS in the curriculum of universities and training institutions.
- Establish a Public Sector Committee (PSC) to set accounting standards for the government sector by mid-2007.

Public Sector Auditing

Current Status:
- The Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) has partially adopted INTOSAI standards but lacks a formal Audit Act.
- There is no specific body for prescribing public sector auditing standards.
- Audit methods are currently focused on budget compliance rather than certification audit.
- Working paper systems are insufficient for proper supervision and quality assurance.
- Audit recommendations are often not acted upon effectively.
Recommendations:
- Develop and approve a draft Audit Act by the end of 2007 to enhance the statutory framework.
- Establish a PSC to set auditing standards in collaboration with ICASL.
- Implement an Institutional Development Plan (IDP) to adopt a code of ethics equivalent to INTOSAI standards.
- Introduce modern audit methodologies and technology to support certification audit.
- Strengthen audit impact through the development of an appropriate response system.
- Collaborate with UK and Netherlands SAIs to improve the IDP for the Auditor General's Department.

Action Plans

A progressive implementation program for accrual-based reporting is underway.
The World Bank will support the transition to accrual accounting and assist in drafting the Public Finance Bill.
A workshop on IPSAS was held in October 2006 to review the draft report and discuss the next steps.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning (MOF&P) is to take the lead in proposing changes to align with international standards.
The Director General (DG) State Accounts is responsible for initiating the process of adopting IPSAS and improving financial reporting.

Key Standards and Gaps

Standard	Current Status	Action Required
Has the Public Sector Accounting Law adopted IPSAS?	Not formally. Cash Basis IPSAS is used, but no law mandates it.	Amend Financial Regulations and prepare a proposal by early 2007.
Does education and training of accountants accord with IES?	Substantially, but not formally.	Update training curriculum to include IPSAS by 2007.
Does the Code of Ethics match international standards?	No. Based on the Civil Service Code.	Propose a code based on IFAC or ICASL by early 2007.
Is there a body to prescribe public sector accounting standards?	No. ICASL provides commercial standards.	Establish a Public Sector Committee by mid-2007.
Are financial statements in accord with international standards?	Government accounts follow Cash Basis IPSAS. SOEs follow IFRS but are often qualified.	Work towards compliance with IPSAS by 2007.
Is the statement of Cash Receipts and Payments in IPSAS form?	Yes, except third-party payments are not shown separately.	Improve reporting formats to align with IPSAS.
Are accounting policies and explanatory notes required?	Yes.	Continue to ensure compliance.
Are other disclosures in accord with IPSAS?	Yes.	Continue to ensure compliance.
Does the government issue a consolidated financial statement?	No. Only Central Government is covered.	Include controlled entities in financial statements.
Is the SAI statutory framework in accord with INTOSAI standards?	Partly. No specific Audit Act.	Prepare and approve a draft Audit Act by end of 2007.
Is there a body to prescribe public sector auditing standards?	No.	Establish a PSC by mid-2007.
Have INTOSAI and IFAC audit standards been adopted?	Yes, but no formal document exists.	No action required until the Audit Act is passed.
Has a code of ethics equivalent to INTOSAI standards been adopted?	No. Based on the Civil Service Code.	Adopt a code equivalent to INTOSAI standards by 2007.
Is the SAI equipped with the audit methods and technologies?	No. Audit methods are outdated.	Improve audit methods and technology through IDP.
Does the SAI have quality assurance programs?	No.	Develop quality assurance programs.
Is the audit planning process in line with international standards?	Partly. Planning is not tailored to audit clients.	Improve audit planning processes.
Is the audit supervision process in line with international standards?	No.	Improve working paper systems for supervision.
Is the process to evaluate internal control in line with international standards?	No. Focus is on identifying deficiencies, not verifying systems.	Improve internal control evaluation processes.
Is the process to assess compliance with laws in line with international standards?	Yes.	Continue to ensure compliance.
Is the audit process to obtain evidence in line with international standards?	No.	Improve working paper systems.
Is the audit opinion in line with international standards?	Yes.	Continue to ensure compliance.
Is the consideration of fraud and error in line with international standards?	Yes.	Continue to ensure compliance.
Is the response to audit recommendations effective?	No.	Establish an appropriate response system.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the importance of adopting International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and International Standards on Auditing (ISA) to enhance public financial management (PFM) in Sri Lanka. It highlights the need for legal reforms, institutional development, and improved education and training to bring local practices in line with international benchmarks. The World Bank and donors are expected to play a key role in supporting these reforms through funding, collaboration, and capacity building.

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