International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Course

Course Introduction

International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) provide globally recognized guidelines for financial reporting in public sector institutions. These standards aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and comparability in government financial statements by establishing consistent accounting practices across public institutions. This training course equips participants with practical knowledge and technical skills required to understand, implement, and apply IPSAS in public sector financial management systems.

Governments and public sector organizations around the world are adopting IPSAS to improve financial governance and strengthen public financial management systems. IPSAS promotes the transition from cash-based accounting to accrual-based accounting, enabling institutions to present more accurate and comprehensive financial information. Participants in this course will learn how IPSAS supports fiscal discipline, improves financial reporting quality, and enhances decision-making in public institutions.

The course also examines the role of IPSAS in strengthening financial transparency and accountability in public sector organizations. By adopting standardized accounting practices, governments can improve the credibility of financial statements and ensure that stakeholders, including citizens, oversight institutions, and development partners, have access to reliable financial information.

Participants will explore the structure and key components of IPSAS standards, including recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements. The course will provide a practical understanding of how IPSAS applies to various government financial activities such as revenue recognition, asset management, liabilities reporting, and financial statement preparation.

The program also highlights challenges faced by institutions during IPSAS adoption and implementation. Participants will examine practical strategies for managing institutional change, strengthening financial management systems, and building staff capacity to support successful IPSAS implementation.

By the end of the course, participants will gain the skills required to interpret IPSAS standards, prepare IPSAS-compliant financial reports, and contribute to the modernization of public financial management systems that support transparency, accountability, and effective governance.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Public sector accountants and finance managers
• Government treasury and budget officers
• Financial controllers in public institutions
• Internal and external auditors working with government institutions
• Public financial management specialists
• Finance officers in donor-funded projects
• Monitoring and evaluation professionals responsible for financial reporting
• Public sector policy advisors and governance specialists
• Consultants supporting public financial management reforms
• Financial analysts working in government agencies
• Compliance and financial reporting officers
• Development partners involved in public sector financial reforms

Course Objectives

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of International Public Sector Accounting Standards and their role in strengthening transparency, accountability, and financial governance in public institutions.
• Equip participants with practical knowledge of IPSAS principles, including recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements used in public sector financial reporting.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to prepare IPSAS-compliant financial statements that accurately reflect the financial position and performance of public institutions.
• Enhance participants’ understanding of the transition from cash-based accounting to accrual-based accounting systems in public sector financial management.
• Build expertise in identifying and accounting for public sector assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in accordance with IPSAS standards.
• Improve participants’ capacity to analyze financial reports and interpret financial statements prepared under IPSAS frameworks.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to support institutional reforms aimed at improving financial reporting and accountability in government institutions.
• Equip professionals with practical tools for implementing IPSAS standards within public financial management systems.
• Improve participants’ understanding of internal control and audit mechanisms that support compliance with IPSAS standards.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to contribute to financial transparency initiatives and public financial governance reforms through effective IPSAS implementation.

Comprehensive Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to IPSAS

• Overview of International Public Sector Accounting Standards
• Brief history and evolution of IPSAS adoption globally
• Scope and application of IPSAS in public sector institutions
• Sources of guidance and the IPSAS conceptual framework

Module 2: Financial Statement Presentation and Disclosure

IPSAS 1: Presentation of Financial Statements

• Required financial statements in IPSAS-compliant reporting
• Structure and format of public sector financial statements
• Content and disclosure requirements

IPSAS 2: Cash Flow Statements

• Definition and classification of cash and cash equivalents
• Cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities

IPSAS 3: Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors

IPSAS 14: Events After the Reporting Date

Module 3: Accounting for Non-Current Assets

IPSAS 17: Property, Plant and Equipment

• Initial recognition and measurement
• Subsequent valuation and depreciation methods
• Accounting treatment of infrastructure and heritage assets

IPSAS 16: Investment Property

• Recognition and measurement principles
• Subsequent valuation models

IPSAS 31: Intangible Assets

• Identification and recognition of intangible assets
• Measurement and disclosure requirements

Module 4: Asset Impairment

IPSAS 21 & IPSAS 26

• Impairment of non-cash-generating assets
• Impairment of cash-generating assets
• Identifying impairment indicators
• Measurement, recognition, reversals, and disclosures

Module 5: Revenue Recognition and Related Costs

IPSAS 23: Revenue from Non-Exchange Transactions

• Recognition and measurement of taxes and transfers
• Accounting for conditions and restrictions in grants

IPSAS 9: Revenue from Exchange Transactions

• Accounting treatment and recognition of exchange revenue

IPSAS 12: Inventories

• Accounting for inventories held for distribution
• Measurement and valuation principles

Module 6: Liabilities and Expense Recognition

• General principles of expense recognition in public sector accounting
• Accounting treatment for donations and grants provided

IPSAS 19: Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

• Definitions and recognition principles
• Measurement approaches and disclosure requirements

IPSAS 39: Employee Benefits

• Accounting for short-term and long-term employee benefits
• Recognition and measurement of pension obligations

Module 7: Financing and Financial Instruments

IPSAS 13: Leases

• Accounting requirements for lessees and lessors

IPSAS 32: Service Concession Arrangements

IPSAS 4: Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates

• Accounting for foreign currency transactions
• Financial reporting for foreign operations

Financial Instruments

• IPSAS 28: Financial Instruments – Presentation
• IPSAS 29: Financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement
• IPSAS 30: Financial Instruments – Disclosures

Module 8: Consolidations and Interests in Other Entities

IPSAS 35: Consolidated Financial Statements

• Concepts of public sector control and consolidation boundaries
• Consolidation procedures and reporting requirements

IPSAS 36: Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

• Equity method of accounting
• Cost method requirements

IPSAS 37: Joint Arrangements

• Distinguishing joint ventures from joint operations
• Accounting for joint arrangements

IPSAS 40: Public Sector Combinations

• Overview and requirements of the standard

Module 9: Additional Presentation and Disclosure Standards

IPSAS 18: Segment Reporting

• Identifying distinguishable activities and reporting segments

IPSAS 20: Related Party Disclosures

• Identification of related parties
• Disclosure requirements in financial statements

IPSAS 24: Presentation of Budget Information

• Required disclosures
• Comparison of budget and actual results
• Treatment of material differences

Module 10: Recommended Practice Guidelines (RPGs)

RPG 1

• Reporting on the long-term sustainability of an entity’s finances

RPG 2

• Financial statement discussion and analysis

RPG 3

• Reporting service performance information

Module 11: Transitioning to Accrual Accounting

IPSAS 33: First-Time Adoption of Accrual Basis IPSAS

• Overview of transition requirements
• Preparing institutions for accrual-based financial reporting
• Implementation challenges and transition strategies

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. . The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.