Challenges and Opportunities of European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSAS) Implementation and Transparency of the Public Sector in the European Union: Croatian Accountants' Perceptions

Abstract

European Public Sector Accounting Standards (EPSAS) are being introduced by the European Commission to facilitate the harmonization of public sector accounting standards across the European Union countries. The main aim of this research is to explore the existing level of awareness, attitude, and expectations of public sector accountants at the subnational levels of government towards implementation of EPSAS in Croatia. Additionally, this paper explores the relationship between the existing level of public sector transparency, as perceived by public sector accountants, and the expected outcomes of EPSAS implementation. The findings suggest that public sector accountants are quite skeptical regarding the outcomes of EPSAS implementation. Among the positive effects, public sector accountants point to an expected increase of accountability and budget control, and greater transparency of public expenditures. Finally, the findings indicate that higher existing levels of budgetary transparency, as perceived by public sector accountants, lead to anticipation of more favorable effects of EPSAS.