Certificate Course in International Public Sector Accounting

Duration 10 days 20 modules · 65 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Chief accountants, Financial reporting managers and others
Fee from USD 2,200 KSh 190,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 9 Nov 2026 Course code SD-A-080

Before you join: Participants should understand double-entry bookkeeping, trial balances, basic financial statements and common adjusting entries.

Dates & prices

Two start dates a month in every city, and live online on weekdays or weekends. Fees are per participant; classroom fees include tuition, materials, lunch and refreshments, and the certificate.

Suggest a date or city

Showing the next six months. Later dates, other cities and private deliveries for your team are available on request.

Course overview

Public-sector finance teams must produce financial information that supports accountability to citizens, legislatures, lenders, donors and audit institutions. Moving from cash records or local government accounting rules to accrual-based IPSAS reporting involves more than applying journal entries: it requires clear reporting boundaries, reliable asset and liability data, consistent accounting policies, sound disclosure evidence and a controlled close process. Errors in these areas can distort fiscal decisions, delay audit clearance and weaken confidence in published reports.

This certificate course develops practical capability in the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) suite and the IPSASB Conceptual Framework. Participants work through recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure for major public-sector transactions, including taxes, grants, transfers, public assets, employee benefits, financial instruments, leases, social benefits and consolidation. The programme also addresses budget reporting, cash-flow reporting, first-time adoption, accounting estimates, events after the reporting date and audit-ready financial statement preparation.

Teaching combines focused instructor briefings with worked public-sector cases, group analysis, accounting simulations and structured application planning. Cases reflect ministries, municipalities, state-owned entities, donor-funded programmes and public service agencies. Participants progressively build an IPSAS reporting file during the programme, including accounting policies, technical position papers, schedules, draft statements and disclosure support. They leave with a reusable reporting pack that can be adapted to their entity’s reporting cycle or IPSAS transition programme.

The course is suited to finance professionals who prepare, review, audit or use public-sector financial statements. It is particularly valuable where governments are introducing accrual accounting, updating national public financial management rules, consolidating public entities or strengthening financial reporting for lenders and development partners.

What you will be able to do

  • Apply the IPSASB Conceptual Framework to recognition, measurement and disclosure decisions
  • Prepare accrual-based IPSAS journal entries for major public-sector transactions
  • Develop accounting policies and technical position papers using relevant IPSAS requirements
  • Construct core financial statements and notes under IPSAS 101 and related standards
  • Analyse revenue, transfer, lease and financial instrument arrangements under current IPSAS
  • Prepare consolidation schedules for controlled entities, associates and joint arrangements
  • Design an IPSAS transition plan using IPSAS 33 first-time adoption requirements
  • Present an audit-ready IPSAS reporting pack supported by reconciliations and disclosures

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Greater confidence interpreting and applying individual IPSAS requirements
  • Practical evidence for leading an accrual-accounting conversion assignment
  • Reusable approach for drafting accounting policy position papers
  • Stronger capability preparing audit support for complex public-sector balances
  • Recognised certificate of completion for public financial reporting roles

For your organisation

  • More consistent IPSAS accounting policies across entities and reporting teams
  • Fewer late adjustments during year-end close and external audit
  • Better asset, liability and commitment information for fiscal decisions
  • Clearer consolidation reporting for ministries, agencies and controlled entities
  • Structured preparation for accrual transition and IPSAS implementation milestones

Course modules

20 modules over 10 days

Participants can explain how IPSAS supports accountable public-sector financial reporting.

  • Public accountability, service potential and financial sustainability in government reporting
  • IPSASB standard-setting structure, due process and pronouncements hierarchy explained
  • Cash basis and accrual basis reporting compared through government transactions
  • General purpose financial reports and users’ information needs identified
  • National standards, IPSAS adoption and jurisdictional reporting mandates distinguished
  • Financial reporting boundaries for ministries, agencies and public corporations assessed

Participants can apply conceptual principles to difficult accounting judgements.

  • Objectives of financial reporting under the IPSASB Conceptual Framework
  • Qualitative characteristics applied to public-sector financial information decisions
  • Elements of financial statements: assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses
  • Recognition criteria assessed where service potential creates accounting judgement
  • Measurement bases compared: historical cost, market value and replacement cost
  • Presentation concepts, disclosure objectives and materiality judgements documented

Participants can define reporting boundaries and document IPSAS accounting policies.

  • Reporting entity determination using accountability and user-information considerations
  • Accounting policy selection where IPSAS provides no specific requirement
  • Materiality assessment using quantitative thresholds and qualitative public-interest factors
  • Policy papers structured with facts, standards, analysis and conclusions
  • Consistency requirements applied across reporting periods and similar transactions
  • Changes in accounting policies distinguished from estimates and corrections

Participants can convert transaction data into controlled accrual-based accounting records.

  • Chart of accounts mapping from budget classifications to IPSAS accounts
  • Accrual journals prepared for receivables, payables and prepayments
  • Cut-off testing identifies transactions belonging to the correct reporting period
  • Reconciliation schedules link subledgers, general ledger and financial statements
  • Month-end close checklists allocate evidence, review and approval responsibilities
  • Control accounts investigated through aged balances and exception reports

Participants can plan opening balance work for an IPSAS accrual transition.

  • IPSAS 33 exemptions and transition provisions evaluated for first-time adopters
  • Opening statement of financial position built from verified asset records
  • Cash-basis balances converted into receivables, payables and accrued obligations
  • Legacy data gaps prioritised using materiality, risk and implementation effort
  • Transition adjustments documented through opening balance reconciliation schedules
  • Phased implementation plans assign owners, milestones and evidence requirements

Participants can account for public-sector assets using appropriate measurement and depreciation methods.

  • IPSAS 45 recognition tests applied to property, plant and equipment
  • Component accounting separates significant asset parts with different useful lives
  • Depreciation methods selected from asset consumption and service potential patterns
  • Heritage assets and specialised military equipment assessed for recognition
  • Revaluation model entries prepared using accumulated depreciation treatment choices
  • IPSAS 31 intangible assets assessed for control and future benefits

Participants can measure common operating balances and related period-end adjustments.

  • IPSAS 12 inventory measurement uses cost and current replacement cost
  • Inventories held for distribution recognised at lower measurement amounts
  • IPSAS 39 employee benefit obligations classified by benefit type
  • Defined benefit liabilities measured using actuarial assumptions and discount rates
  • IPSAS 5 borrowing costs capitalised when directly attributable criteria apply
  • Year-end payroll accruals reconcile leave, bonuses and pension obligations

Participants can classify and measure financial instruments under IPSAS 41.

  • IPSAS 41 financial asset classification based on contractual cash flows
  • Amortised cost calculations apply effective interest rate methodology
  • Expected credit loss models estimate impairment on receivables and loans
  • Financial liabilities distinguished between amortised cost and fair value categories
  • Guarantees, concessional loans and embedded terms analysed for accounting effects
  • Credit-risk disclosures trace assumptions, exposures and loss allowance movements

Participants can account for revenue and transfer arrangements under current IPSAS requirements.

  • IPSAS 47 revenue model identifies binding arrangements and performance obligations
  • Tax revenue recognition separates taxable events, assessments and collection estimates
  • Grants with stipulations assessed for liabilities and revenue recognition timing
  • IPSAS 48 transfer expenses recognised when present obligations arise
  • Conditional transfers analysed using enforceability and performance requirement evidence
  • Revenue schedules reconcile billed amounts, collections, receivables and contract liabilities

Participants can assess complex service and asset-use arrangements for IPSAS reporting.

  • IPSAS 43 lease identification tests control of identified asset use
  • Lessee right-of-use assets and lease liabilities measured at commencement
  • Lessor classifications distinguish finance leases from operating lease arrangements
  • IPSAS 32 service concession assets assessed for grantor control
  • Public-private partnership contracts analysed for obligations, guarantees and disclosures
  • Contract registers capture key terms, options, indices and renewal periods

Participants can prepare core consolidation adjustments for public-sector group accounts.

  • IPSAS 35 control assessment considers power, benefits and linkage
  • Consolidation perimeter maps controlled entities, associates and joint arrangements
  • Intragroup balances and transactions eliminated through consolidation worksheet entries
  • IPSAS 36 equity method applied to investments in associates
  • IPSAS 37 joint arrangements classified from rights and obligations
  • IPSAS 38 disclosures identify interests, risks and group reporting effects

Participants can prepare IPSAS financial statement formats and supporting note structures.

  • IPSAS 101 statement presentation requirements mapped to reporting workpapers
  • Statement of financial position classifies current and non-current balances
  • Financial performance statement distinguishes revenue, expenses and surplus movements
  • Changes in net assets reconciled through accumulated surpluses and reserves
  • Notes ordered using accounting policies, line-item support and risk disclosures
  • Comparative information prepared with prior-period reclassifications clearly explained

Participants can prepare cash-flow and budget comparison information for public accountability.

  • IPSAS 2 cash flow categories classify operating, investing and financing movements
  • Indirect cash flow method reconciles surplus with operating cash flows
  • Non-cash transactions identified for separate disclosure and reconciliation
  • IPSAS 24 budget comparison presents approved and final budget amounts
  • Original budget, final budget and actual amounts reconciled transparently
  • Variance explanations distinguish timing differences, policy changes and performance issues

Participants can assess uncertain obligations and related public-sector disclosures.

  • IPSAS 19 provision recognition tests present obligations and probable outflows
  • Best-estimate measurement incorporates risks, discounting and expected cash flows
  • Contingent liabilities distinguished from provisions using recognition thresholds
  • Onerous contracts assessed through unavoidable costs and expected benefits
  • IPSAS 42 social benefit obligations evaluated using obligating event criteria
  • Commitments and contingencies disclosed with nature, estimates and uncertainties

Participants can correct reporting issues and account for events affecting published statements.

  • IPSAS 3 prior-period errors corrected through retrospective restatement procedures
  • Accounting estimate changes applied prospectively with transparent disclosure
  • Events after reporting date classified as adjusting or non-adjusting
  • Going-concern assessments document funding, service mandates and fiscal support
  • Management representation evidence organised for significant accounting judgements
  • Correction logs track issue ownership, entries, disclosures and audit status

Participants can produce disclosures supported by traceable audit evidence.

  • Disclosure checklists link each IPSAS requirement to supporting evidence
  • Lead schedules reconcile financial statement line items to detailed records
  • Audit trails preserve source documents, approvals, calculations and review notes
  • Related-party disclosures identify key management personnel and controlled entities
  • Significant judgement notes explain assumptions, estimates and alternative outcomes
  • Disclosure review procedures test completeness, consistency and cross-referencing

Participants can organise an IPSAS implementation programme with clear governance and controls.

  • Implementation charters define scope, decision rights and reporting responsibilities
  • Gap assessment matrices compare existing policies against applicable IPSAS requirements
  • Workstream plans cover standards, data, systems, people and assurance
  • RACI matrices assign preparation, review and approval accountabilities
  • Training needs analysis targets roles affected by changed accounting processes
  • Steering committee dashboards report milestones, issues, risks and decisions

Participants can specify data and control requirements for IPSAS financial reporting.

  • Data dictionaries define account codes, attributes and reporting classifications
  • Fixed asset registers capture location, components, condition and useful life
  • Interface reconciliations test completeness between feeder systems and general ledger
  • Journal approval controls separate preparation, authorisation and posting responsibilities
  • Exception reporting identifies unusual balances, duplicate records and missing data
  • Close calendars sequence reconciliations, reviews, consolidation and publication deadlines

Participants can analyse IPSAS financial statements to support oversight and management decisions.

  • Financial statement analysis assesses liquidity, solvency and service sustainability indicators
  • Working capital trends interpreted from receivables, payables and inventory movements
  • Asset condition and renewal needs assessed from depreciation and capital data
  • Fiscal risks identified through guarantees, provisions and contingent liabilities
  • Ratio analysis adjusted for public-sector mandates and non-exchange revenue
  • Briefing papers convert reporting findings into decisions and follow-up actions

Participants can build, review and present a complete IPSAS reporting pack for a public-sector entity.

  • Reporting scenario establishes entity boundary, transactions and materiality thresholds
  • Accounting policies selected and justified using applicable IPSAS requirements
  • Journal entries and lead schedules produce adjusted trial balance
  • Financial statements drafted with supporting notes and comparative information
  • Consolidation, budget and cash-flow requirements incorporated where applicable
  • Disclosure checklist confirms required policies, estimates, risks and commitments
  • Peer review challenges recognition, measurement, presentation and evidence conclusions
  • Management presentation communicates findings, judgements, risks and implementation actions

Exercises and examples are adapted to each cohort's sectors and roles.

What you take back to work

  1. IPSAS accounting policy position paper template
  2. Accrual conversion and opening balance reconciliation model
  3. IPSAS financial statement and disclosure checklist
  4. Public-sector consolidation worksheet template
  5. Year-end IPSAS close calendar and control checklist
  6. Entity-specific IPSAS reporting pack

Who should attend

  • Chief accountants — responsible for IPSAS policies, close processes and published accounts
  • Financial reporting managers — preparing statements, notes and supporting schedules
  • Government accountants — converting ministry transactions into accrual-based IPSAS records
  • Internal and external auditors — assessing IPSAS recognition, measurement and disclosure evidence
  • Public financial management advisers — supporting national reforms and entity-level implementation
  • Budget and treasury managers — interpreting IPSAS reports for fiscal planning and oversight

Skills and tools covered

IPSAS financial reportingAccrual accounting conversionPublic-sector consolidationFinancial statement preparationDisclosure note draftingIPSAS transition planning

Tools and standards

IPSASB Conceptual Framework, IPSAS 33 First-time Adoption of Accrual Basis IPSAS, IPSAS 41 Financial Instruments, IPSAS 101 Presentation of Financial Statements

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course uses short technical briefings followed by worked accounting cases drawn from government, municipal, donor-funded and state-owned entity reporting. Participants analyse source documents, identify applicable IPSAS requirements, prepare journals and schedules, and review draft disclosures against reporting requirements. Group exercises test judgement on difficult recognition and measurement issues, while simulations follow transactions through close, consolidation and audit review. Individual application planning links each participant’s work to current reporting policies, transition priorities and year-end deliverables.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should understand double-entry bookkeeping, trial balances, basic financial statements and common adjusting entries. Experience in a government ministry, municipality, public agency, state-owned entity, donor-funded programme or audit assignment is helpful. Participants should be comfortable reading financial reports and using spreadsheet calculations for reconciliations and schedules. Prior study of IPSAS is not required, and no accounting qualification is assumed. The course explains relevant standards from first principles before progressing to technical cases, but it is not designed for people with no prior accounting experience.

A typical training day

08:30 – 10:30First session
10:30 – 10:45Refreshment break
10:45 – 12:30Second session
12:30 – 13:30Lunch and networking
13:30 – 15:00Third session
15:00 – 15:15Refreshment break
15:15 – 16:30Workshop and daily review

Live online deliveries follow the same structure in East Africa Time, with shorter screen blocks and longer breaks.

What the fee includes

  • Instruction by a practitioner facilitator
  • Full course workbook and materials
  • Exercise files, templates and case studies
  • Refreshments and lunch on classroom deliveries
  • Certificate of completion
  • Post-course application plan

Frequently asked questions

You should understand basic double-entry accounting, trial balances and financial statements. Prior IPSAS knowledge is not required, but the course assumes you have worked with accounting records or financial reports.

Bring a laptop for spreadsheet-based schedules and, where permitted, your entity’s chart of accounts, accounting policies or sample financial statements. Confidential documents are not required; course cases provide the working data.

It is designed for accountants, financial reporting staff, auditors, public financial management advisers and finance managers in public-sector bodies. It also suits professionals supporting government accrual reforms or consolidation projects.

The course focuses on IPSAS requirements and public-sector transactions such as taxes, grants, transfer payments, social benefits, service concessions and budget reporting. General financial accounting courses usually concentrate on commercial reporting and private-sector standards.

Participants can use the policy paper template, disclosure checklist, close calendar and reconciliation models during their next reporting cycle. The capstone reporting pack also provides a structured example for reviewing current entity practices.

Each day runs from 08:30 to 16:30 and provides about 6.5 contact hours. The first week builds core accrual accounting and major transaction skills, while the second week covers group reporting, disclosures, implementation controls and the final capstone.

Questions about this course?

Ask about dates, fees, group bookings or running it for your team. Our training team replies by email.

Ask on WhatsApp info@skillsetdevelopment.com

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