International Standard for Government Finance Statistics (The Matters of Harmonization with SNA 2008 and Application in Russian Statistics)

Abstract

The authors consider basic provisions of the Government Finance Statistics Manual (GFSM) published in 2014 by the IMF in the context of its harmonization with the 2008 SNA and taking into account the need to adapt it to Russian conditions. There is a uniformity of basic GFSM and 2008 SNA principles. The article, however, covers differences between these two systems that lie in the treatment of some important transactions. The authors consider issues of coordination between the mentioned above international statistical standards.A special section is devoted to questions of applying the GFSM to national statistics, which is possible based on adjustments to some fundamental - from conceptual and methodological position - considerations that are implemented in the Russian practice. Thus, there are several shortcomings that, according to the authors, need to be addressed: a vague distinction between the classifications of income and financial transactions, the use of the valuation principle for transactions at the time of acquisition of goods, and not at its actual consumption in the production process. The authors point out specific flaws in the most recent version of the Russian budget classification («Classification of Transactions of Public Administration Sector» - KOSGU).The final part of the article organizes the author’s proposals regarding the directions and priorities in improving Russian government finance statistics.