This presentation by David Litvan was made at the 14th Annual OECD Public Sector Accruals Symposium, Paris 3-4 March 2014. Find out more at http://www.oecd.org/gov/budgeting/14thannualoecdpublicsectoraccrualssymposiumparis3-4march2014.htm

1. Accrual Accounting and Budgeting
DevelopmentsState of play of the French
accounting reform
Symposium OECD
Paris, March 3rd, 2014

2. Challenges of the accounting reform
The successful challenge of French accounting reform
Constitutional Bylaw (2001) enhances a new accounting system
for France based on accrual accounting in order to make financial
information more transparent for the Parliament and the public.
Cash Basis
Accounting
Cash Basis
Accounting
Adoption of the
Constitution bylaw
Accrual Basis
Accounting
Cost analysis
Accounting
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3. Agenda
Introduction
1. State of play of the accounting reform
2. The objectives of accounting quality
Conclusions
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4. French reform: key dates for transition to accruals for
central government accounts
Vote of
LOLF* by
the
Parliament
2001
First Central
Government
accounting
standards
2003
Preparation
phase
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2004
First audit
of the
accounts
by "Cour
des
comptes"
2006
First
opening
balance
sheet
2007
Finalisation
of SAP
implementation
2008
Decision to
change the
information
system
2012
2013
First central
government
accounts
complete
under SAP
*LOLF : Loi organique relative aux lois de finances, Constitutional Bylaw on budget acts
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5. The French accounting reform: 2012 Central government
financial statements
Net worth represents 45 % of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012.
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6. High transparency on off balance sheet commitments
Disclosures of the main off-balance sheet commitments in
a summary table so as to enlighten the key figures.
A complete information on:
State pension commitments,
Commitments granted under clearly defined agreements,
Commitments resulting from the economic and social
regulator role of the central government.
A key information read in detail by Parliament.
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7. Agenda
Introduction
1. State of play of the accounting reform
2. The objectives of accounting quality
Conclusions
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8. The French accounting reform: A tighter internal control to
ensure quality of accrual basis accounting
Implementation of reference framework for accounting and
financial internal control (reference to COSO standard):
Since 2004 for central government,
Gradually extended to its public bodies (universities…) and local authorities.
Rely on the set out of internal audit :
At the level of the central government and its establishments, each ministry
has to establish an audit committee and action plans.
Annual internal control report : a key factor to improve the quality of
financial statements.
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9. The French accounting reform: certification
External audit: an evidence of the improvement of the quality of the
central government accounts.
Opinion of the national audit office: qualifications
14
13
12
12
3
3
Non-substantial
qualifications
Substantial
qualifications
Total
12
10
1
8
6
9
7
7
13
2
9
4
7
9
8
7
7
5
2
0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
From 2006, the number of qualifications has kept reducing (from 13
qualifications to 7 qualifications for the 2012 financial statements).
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10. New IT system
A new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), “Chorus”:
Dedicated to financial, budgetary and accounting management,
Based on S.A.P.
Shared at central and decentralized level,
Improvement of the audit trail.
50 000 daily users, for a total of €700 million cost.
Full implementation from 1st January 2012.
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11. The French accounting reform: Convergence process
Accounting quality objective has been extended to the whole
general government (decree n ° 2012-1246 of 7 November 2012 on
the public budget and accounting management).
Convergence process for accounting standards applying to the
whole general government:
Central government and its public bodies,
Social security organisms,
Local authorities and hospitals
Accounting rules largely based on those apply to central
government accounts.
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12. The French accounting reform consistency with Council directive
of 8 November 2011 (2011/85/UE),
France ties in perfectly with the approach of the Council directive of
8 November 2011 (2011/85/UE), which provides that State members
must implement reliable public accruals accounting system (art 3) :
Harmonisation of general government accounting standards,
Strengthening the process and the quality of internal control in
all public entities,
Enlargement of the scope of certification.
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13. Thank you very much for your attention.
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