Prior Research on Accrual Accounting as a Public Sector Reform

Abstract

In this section, we reviewed the academic debate related to the introduction of accrual accounting in central and local governments at the international level. A systematic analysis of 20 years of accrual accounting research has been conducted. First, this section presents an overview of the reforms implemented in many countries as a consequence of the diffusion of New Public Management paradigm. One of the key elements in this process is the implementation of accrual accounting in government. Accrual accounting involves different issues related to political studies, accounting, organizational, planning, and control. As a consequence, each paper written on the subject of accrual accounting appears to be very complex and difficult to summarize. Scholars have different approaches to the accrual accounting implementation and investigate several topics related to different sectors. The critical lens chosen for retracing these studies is the research approach adopted by authors, ex post or ex ante. This kind of classification may be useful to better define the theoretical contribution of the scholars and the main contribution of this research. This section, at its conclusion, will also discuss gaps in the existing literature, and it outlines the main contribution of this research. Moreover, it will explain the research questions and the direction of the study.