Consultation on international public sector governance released by IFAC, CIPFA
Thursday, 20 June 2013 00:00
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The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global organisation for the accountancy profession with 172 members and associates in 129 countries, and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) this week issued for public comment a Consultation Draft for an International Framework on governance in the public sector.
The draft Good Governance in the Public Sector encourages better service delivery and improved accountability by establishing a benchmark for good governance in the public sector.
“The function of good governance in public sector entities is to ensure that they act in the public interest at all times,” said IFAC CEO Fayez Choudhury. “This obligation forms the basis for this principles-based Framework and requires a strong commitment to integrity, ethical values, and the rule of law as well as openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.”
“The sovereign debt crisis underlined the fact that the public sector plays a major role in society. Public expenditure forms a significant part of gross domestic product and public sector entities are substantial employers and major capital market participants,” added CIPFA Chief Executive Steve Freer. “The impact and the nature of their outputs, as well as their financing through taxation, put a premium on strong, effective governance.”
The Framework is not intended to replace national and sectoral public sector governance codes. Instead, it is designed as a reference document for those who develop and set national governance codes for the public sector when updating and reviewing their own codes. Where codes and guidance do not exist, the Framework provides a shared understanding of what constitutes good governance in the public sector and a powerful stimulus for positive action.
This Consultation Draft was developed after an initial review of relevant governance literature and with input from a group of representatives from relevant international organizations (the International Reference Group, which is listed in the Framework). Public sector representatives and other stakeholders are encouraged to respond to the proposed Framework to help improve its applicability to entities at all levels internationally.
