The Professional Accountants in Business Committee (PAIB) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) was asked by the IFAC Board in October 2002 to explore the emerging concept of enterprise governance. A particular focus of the project was to consider why corporate governance often fails in companies and, more importantly, what must be done to ensure that things go right.

An Executive Summary is also available.

This report, which was produced by the independent IFAC-commissioned Task Force on Rebuilding Public Confidence in Financial Reporting, provides recommendations for strengthening corporate governance, improving audit effectiveness, and raising the standard of regulation of issuers. It also presents an international perspective on the challenges facing not only the accountancy profession, but also those involved in regulating a profession that has such a significant involvement in capital markets worldwide.

"Earnings Quality" has been a subject of investigations by regulators in many countries, articles in most, if not all, business publications, and significant debate in recent years. It is a matter of importance in the financial reporting and regulatory communities, and it impacts the confidence of investors in global financial markets. For this reason, the American Institute of CPAs in the U.S.

This Occasional Paper describes the major reform program for the public sector accounting system implemented by the French Government. The paper highlights some of the key arguments influencing the decision to adopt a new dual system and outlines the steps taken by the French government to move from the current system to an accrual basis for financial reporting.

The 2002 theme booklet focuses on the theme of Risk Management from both the traditional review of the financial risks of a company and the emerging application of risk management techniques in the areas of strategy, reputation and people.

This paper considers the experiences of the United Kingdom, which decided to move to an accrual basis for both budgeting and financial reporting in 1995. It highlights some of the key arguments influencing the decision to adopt an accrual system, not just for financial reporting, but also for budgeting.

As national bodies become more aware of their SMP constituents and their needs, at least some of those bodies have been taking actions and developing programs to help SMPs play a more effective role in the domestic marketplace. But, to deal with the presence and needs of SMPs on an international scale, it is first necessary to determine just where they fit into the global picture.

This occasional paper describes the specific framework designed in France to manage the relationship between a government entity and a private sector entity contracted to deliver a certain service, and to ensure an adequate level of information and accountability.

The Study aims to assist governments at all levels in the identification of issues associated with financial reporting. Although some parts of the Study may relate to national governments only, other parts are applicable to all levels of government.

This occasional paper aims to inform readers about a range of perspectives on accrual accounting from a number of contributors who have experience in implementing this accounting reform or who have observed its progress.