International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in Practice Training Course

This five-day course builds a practical command of International Public Sector Accounting Standards and how to apply them. It covers the IPSAS framework, the cash and accrual bases, the standards most relevant to government, and the preparation of IPSAS financial statements, with particular attention to the transition from cash to accrual accounting that many governments are undertaking. Participants leave able to apply IPSAS to real public sector transactions and reporting.

Governments across Africa and the world are moving towards International Public Sector Accounting Standards, and in particular towards accrual accounting, in pursuit of finances that are transparent, comparable and complete. It is one of the most significant reforms in public finance, and one of the most demanding. For the accountants and finance officers who must implement it, IPSAS can feel like a vast and shifting body of rules learned under pressure.

This course makes IPSAS manageable. It begins with the framework and the choice between the cash and accrual bases, then works through the standards that matter most in government, from revenue and assets to financial instruments and consolidation, and the preparation of a full set of IPSAS financial statements. It gives particular attention to the transition from cash to accrual, where most of the practical difficulty lies. Participants leave able to apply IPSAS to real public sector transactions, prepare and review IPSAS financial statements, and contribute confidently to their organisation's adoption or operation of the standards.

• Explain the IPSAS conceptual framework and its relevance to government reporting
• Distinguish between the cash basis and accrual basis of accounting
• Apply IPSAS to revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities and disclosures
• Account for non-exchange revenue, including taxes, grants and transfers
• Apply IPSAS to property, plant and equipment, infrastructure and heritage assets
• Understand IPSAS treatment of financial instruments, leases and consolidation
• Prepare and review IPSAS-compliant public sector financial statements
• Understand budget information and reporting requirements in financial statements
• Manage the transition from cash to accrual accounting in the public sector
• Identify common IPSAS implementation challenges and respond to them effectively

This course is designed for professionals involved in public sector accounting, government financial reporting, IPSAS implementation and public finance reform, including:

• Public sector accountants and finance officers
• Treasury and accountant general staff
• Ministry and government finance teams
• Auditors of public sector entities
• Finance staff implementing IPSAS or accrual accounting reforms
• County, local government and agency finance staff
• Public sector reporting and consolidation teams
• Development partners supporting public financial management reform
• Consultants and advisers in public sector accounting and reporting

The course uses a practical, example led methodology. Each standard is introduced concisely, then applied through worked examples and public sector cases, with disclosure and statement exercises drawn from government reporting. The transition to accrual is treated through realistic scenarios, and a daily practical session consolidates the day.
•Expert led explanation of each standard
•Worked public sector examples and entries
•Financial statement and disclosure exercises
•Transition and adoption case studies
•A daily practical session and a final review clinic

Organisations that enroll their teams in this course can expect:

• Stronger IPSAS compliance and more comparable public sector accounts
• Better managed transition from cash to accrual accounting
• Fewer reporting errors, misstatements and audit findings
• Improved quality, completeness and credibility of government financial statements
• More reliable information for fiscal management and decision-making
• Reduced reporting, compliance and reputational risk
• Greater internal capacity to sustain IPSAS implementation
• Increased confidence from auditors, oversight bodies, development partners and stakeholders

Participants that enroll in this training will benefit from:

• Greater confidence in applying IPSAS to real public sector transactions
• A structured understanding of IPSAS rather than fragmented standard-by-standard knowledge
• Stronger ability to prepare, review and interpret public sector financial statements
• A clearer grasp of the cash-to-accrual transition
• Improved credibility with auditors, oversight institutions and finance leadership
• A valuable public sector accounting specialism
• Practical readiness to support IPSAS adoption and implementation
• A toolkit of examples, checklists and reporting approaches for use at work

At Strategic Revenue Africa, our certification goes beyond proof of attendance—it represents practical competence and measurable capability. Upon successful completion of our training programs, participants are awarded a Certificate of Completion from Strategic Revenue Africa, recognizing their ability to apply acquired knowledge in real-world settings. As an organization focused on architecting sustainable revenue and strengthening organizational performance, our certifications signal that participants are equipped with skills that drive results, not just theory.

A basic understanding of accounting and financial statements is assumed. The course suits public sector finance professionals who prepare, review or use government accounts. Familiarity with IFRS is helpful but not required.