ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTS IN PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT

Raspravlja se o javnom menadžmentu i njegovoj ulozi u upravljanju državom, karakteristikama upravljanja u javnom sektoru, kao i o novom javnom menadžmentu i njegovu utjecaju na javni sektor, napose na proračunsko računovodstvo. Ističe se važnost državnog računovodstva kao elementa dobrog upravljanja. Državno se računovodstvo konceptualizira kao državni računovodstveni informacijski sustav. Analiziraju se njegove funkcije, područje izgradnje i primjene, kao i financijski izvještaji u javnom sektoru. Značenje računovodstva u javnom upravljanju vidi se u pogledu upravljanja imovinom, upravljanja obvezama, upravljanja troškovima te upravljačkom nadzoru i reviziji.The paper discusses public management and its role in the state management, followed by management characteristics in the public sector, and the new public management and its influence on the public sector, particularly on budgetary accounting. The importance of state accounting is stressed as an element of good governance. State accounting is conceptualised as a state accounting information system. The author analyses its functions, construction and implementation area, and financial reports in the public sector. The importance of accounting in public management is visible in cases related to property management, liability management, management of expenses, as well as supervisory management and audit

Multiple criteria decision analysis of public investment options: application to streetlighting renewal projects

The last global economic crisis set fiscal consolidation as one of the most relevant goals of economic policy. At the same time, efforts are necessary to increase economic growth rates, particularly by increasing quantity and quality of public investment. However, the lack of fiscal space and other impediments make these goals hard to attain. On the contrary, in many countries data show negative dynamics of quantity and quality of public investment. In terms of energy efficiency investment, trends are positive. However, the pace of investment significantly underperforms the goals set. We argue that one of the major reasons is the lack of financial innovation and project selection methodology. For this reason, projects have still been mainly financed under traditional procurement models. Surprisingly, most countries do not exploit the advantages of alternative models of financing which do not affect public debt level, significantly reduce fiscal deficits and reduce fiscal risks. This article argues that a multi-criteria approach used at the initial stages of project preparation increases the potential for project realisation and the overall quantity and quality. In order to provide empirical evidence, we use information on energy efficiency streetlighting projects and present a case of a traditional versus alternative financing models. HIGHLIGHTS a need for a systematic approach when selecting optimal financing model is a must; a lack of financial innovation is one of the most critical impediments to a higher level of investment in revenue-generating projects common for the energy efficiency sector; alternative models of financing enable public investment increase without harming the fiscal position; a new methodology for selecting the most preferable model is presented; a policy mix should take more comprehensive stance towards complexity of public investment projects

Determining the Level of Accounting Conservatism through the Fuzzy Logic System

Background: Using a variety of alternative accounting policies brings about different effects on the stated business results and the value of the company. Objectives: The objective of this paper is to develop a fuzzy logic solution for determining bias in financial reports on low-activity financial markets, and to find a method applicable to unquoted entities. Methods/Approach: A fuzzy logic system was developed using data on Croatian companies, the MatLab software, and the Mamdani fuzzy inference method. Results: The paper provides the summary of results obtained using a fuzzy logic system, and they indicate that the model has relevant validity. Conclusions: The model can serve as a stimulus for more detailed studies of biased financial statements elements. The fuzzy logic model should be further tested on a larger sample of companies classified based on their activity and under different business conditions

Accounting System in Croatian Public Healthcare Organizations: an Empirical Analysis (*)

Abstract. In considering the adequacy of adopting accruals an

Financial Position and Sustainability of Associations in Croatia

This paper emphasizes the economic importance of the civil society sector in the national socio-economic context. There is a systematic neglect of the economic and financial components of civil society organizations and non-profit sector in Croatia even though a significant volume of civil society organizations’ activities is funded from public sources and there is a high possibility of exploitation of their relatively privileged tax position. The purpose of this paper is to present research results of the funding sources, the financial potential and the elements of economic performance of citizens’ associations in the Republic of Croatia. The survey sample includes over 20,000 citizens’ associations which have submitted financial reports to the Registry of Non-profit Organizations in accordance with the statutory obligation. The research is based on aggregated data reported in the Balance Sheet and Performance Report for 2015 and 2016. The scientific contribution of the paper is reflected in the assessment of the financial performance and financial transparency of the activities of civil society organizations in the Republic of Croatia and their sustainability in comparison with Serbia and Slovenia. &nbsp

Europeanization Reforms Of The Financial Management System

Reforme sustava upravljanja javnim financijama imaju cilj stvaranje djelotvornih, suvremenih proračunskih procesa i institucija. Događaju se pod utjecajem vanjskih i unutarnjih čimbenika: konvergencijE financijske regulative u procesu pridruživanja Europskoj uniji; poboljšanjA transparentnosti u skladu sa standardima utvrđenim od međunarodnih institucija te željE za stvaranjem male, fleksibilne, učinkovite i građanima bliske uprave. Najznačajnije promjene su uvo­ đenje: strateškog i programskog planiranja te višegodišnjeg proračunskog okvira; mjerila za ocjenjivanje uspješnosti postizanja rezultata; sustava financijskog upravljanja i kontrola (PIFCS); fleksibilnosti u procesu izvršavanja. Te promjene preduvjet su stvaranja uprave okrenute rezultatima, a ne samo odrađivanju aktivnosti, koja strateški promišlja i uvijek je korak ispred izazova, u kojoj je jasno definirano tko je za što odgovoran i koja prava ima te se u skladu s tim delegira upravljačka odgovornost.The objective of the public finance reforms is the creation of efficient and modern budgetary processes and institutions. Such reforms are conducted because of the external and internal factors some of which are the convergence of financial regulations in the EU accession process, the improvement of transparency in accordance with the standards set out by the influential international institutions, and a wish to create a small, flexible, effective and citizen-oriented public administration. The most significant changes encompass the introduction of strategic and programme planning, followed by multi-annual budgetary framework, benchmarks for evaluating the achieved results, financial management and control system (PIFCS), and flexibility in the execution processes. These changes are a precondition for creating a result-oriented public administration that is always one step ahead of the challenges it is facing and is not shy of strategic thinking, an administration in which the rights and responsibilities of each individual are clearly defined and where managing responsibility is delegated accordingly

PUBLIC SECTOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT REFORM TO ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: CROATIA AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA CURRENT STATE AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

Property asset management can be defined as the process of decision – making and implementation relating to the acquisition, use, and disposition of real property. This definition applies to both the private and public sectors, even though in the government sector, the term itself was not in common usage until recently. Over last two decades, however, a new discipline has emerged that looks more critically at the important component of public wealth and seeks to apply standards of economic efficiency and effective organizational and resource management. Public sector property management has been regarded as a structured process that seeks to ensure best value for money in serving the strategic public sector needs and enhancing the economic development and competitiveness. There are governments that are only beginning to seek improvements in the management of publicly owned property with a goal of putting into use various types of government asset items, under the supervision of professional management, with a view to ensuring quality public services and welfare to the citizens, governments that have just recently embarked in the long term financial management reforms and strategic public sector property management reform in particular, and governments called “advanced reformers” offering their conceptual and valuable practical experience in the sphere of public property management. Starting from the concept that public authorities have to be fully accountable to the public and that the whole of government assets need and can be effectively managed, and widely accepted thesis that effective government asset management is a very important generator for creating a supportive entrepreneurial environment, and raising the competitiveness of the entire economy, in this paper we analyse the drivers of international property management reforms in the public sector and provide a comment on public sector property management in developed countries and (post) transition countries. Then we analyse the characteristics of commenced public sector property management reform in Croatia which may be considered as challenges ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities in structuring their national public sector property management reform, given the current state of play

Implementation of cost accounting as the economic pillar of management accounting systems in public hospitals– the case of Slovenia and Croatia

Healthcare sector expenditures persistently rise due to various public health, demographic, and socio-cultural reasons. This fact caused repeated calls for reforms of the economic model in the healthcare sector due to increased concern for efficiency. The aim of this paper is the comparison of the Slovenian and Croatian healthcare systems, focusing mainly on the current development stage and the future challenges of the management (cost) accounting systems. The research is mainly interested in the analysis of capabilities of cost tracking according to different criteria and identification of the main constraints in the implementation of a full costing method in Slovenian and Croatian hospitals. The methodology of the literature review and electronic survey was used to assess the practice in both countries. Analysing the data collected from the responses of 26 (100%) Slovenian and 52 (91.22%) Croatian hospital accountants and financial officers, it is possible to claim that Slovenian and Croatian management accounting systems are at a very early development stage. Nevertheless, the analysis reveals several similarities, as well as differences, between the two systems, and it can be concluded that Slovenia has succeeded in making greater progress, especially when observing systematical cost monitoring and implementation of national cost analysis

Učinci primjene standarda financijske transparentnosti na efikasnost poslovanja državnih poduzeća u Republici Hrvatskoj

Uz poduzeća u vlasništvu države učestalo se ističe niska razina financijske transparentnosti, odnosno izostanak kvalitetnih informacija o njihovom financijskom položaju i uspješnosti poslovanja. Istodobno, prisutan je diskurs o njihovoj niskoj razini učinkovitosti, kao posljedici neadekvatnog upravljanja. Niska razina transparentnosti u poduzeću i neadekvatnost objavljivanja informacija o poduzeću može biti ili medij za stvaranje neetičnog ponašanja u poduzeću kao i gubitka integriteta na tržištu. Takve situacije netransparentnosti stvaraju troškovne posljedice za samo poduzeće, ali i za cijelo gospodarstvo. U radu se obrazlaže i dokazuje utjecaj primjene transparentnog sustava izvještavanja utemeljenog na međunarodnim standardima korporativnog upravljanja i antikorpcijskim strateškim dokumentima na kvalitetu upravljanja u državnim poduzećima u Republici Hrvatskoj. Temeljem empirijskog istraživanja na uzorku koji čine poduzeća u potpunom državnom vlasništvu, analizira se učinak dosegnute razine primjene standarda financijske transparentnosti na elemente financijske uspješnosti i financijskog položaja poduzeća u državnom vlasništvu. Rezultati istraživanja dokazuju vrlo značajnu korelaciju između njih i dosegnute razine primjene standarda financijske transparentnosti. Viša razina primjene standarda financijske transparentnosti smanjuje rashode i povećava tako efikasnost upravljanja ovim poduzećima. Primjena standarda financijske transparentnosti utječe i na smanjenje prihoda i smanjenje vrijednosti angažiranog kapitala, što implicira da viša razina financijske transparentnosti optimizira razinu rashoda, prihoda i angažiranog kapitala opsegu i kvaliteti pružanja javne usluge radi koje su ova poduzeća i osnovana. Također, rezultati istraživanja pokazuju povezanost dosegnute razine financijske transparentnosti s veličinom poduzeća, ali ne i sa sektorskom pripadnošću