IPSASB publishes proposed amendments regarding public sector financial instruments
28 Aug, 2019
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has published an exposure draft 'Public Sector Financial Instruments: Amendments to IPSAS 41 'Financial Instruments'' with proposed amendments that would supplement the IPSASB’s existing guidance in IPSAS 41 for topics that are unique to the public sector and have a significant impact on government finances.
The exposure draft proposes clarification of existing guidance for four public sector instruments:
- Monetary gold;
- Currency in circulation;
- IMF quota subscriptions; and
- IMF special drawing rights.
The IPSASB has come to the conclusion that monetary gold has similar characteristics to a financial asset and proposes to clarify that it is appropriate to account for monetary gold by applying the financial asset principles in certain circumstances.
As regards currency in circulation, IMF quota subscriptions and special drawing rights, the IPSASB has come to the conclusion that these all meet the definition of a financial instrument and proposes adding implementation guidance and an illustrative example to support stakeholders accounting for these instruments.
Please click to access the exposure draft Public Sector Financial Instruments: Amendments to IPSAS 41 'Financial Instruments', a short introductory webinar and an At a Glance introduction on the IPSASB website. Comments are requested by 31 December 2019.
