An examination of the role of government in Australia and its mechanisms for control over public expenditures and resources to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness in government activities, and public sector accounting standards. It considers the public sector environment and how it differs from private markets - the roles of externalities and accountability and recent reforms in public sector financial management. An examination of major issues in public sector financial management - use of cash and accrual accounting information systems; management of financial and physical assets including environmental and heritage considerations; marketisation of public sector activities; performance measurement issues for departments of state; management and performance of government business enterprises including privatisation issues; intergenerational equity issues flowing from an ageing population; public sector audits and roles of the Auditor General and accountability issues; role of the budget and budget process and management, and cash and accrual budgeting systems.

This course aims to

• Promote an understanding of the role of government in a modern democratic society;
• Promote an understanding of the differences between the public sector and the business sector parts of the economy, and the implications of these differences for financial management,accounting and budgeting;
• Promote an understanding of some major issues in public sector financial management, accounting and budgeting; and
• Provide possible solutions to some of the above issues.

By the end of this course, you are expected to have attained proficiency in the following areas:

• gained familiarity and understanding of the above matters; and
• be able to analyse issues and develop possible solutions.

Group seminar paper 30%.  

Final examination 70%.

Students taking this course are expected to commit at least 11 hours a week to completing the work. This will include:

• 3 hour a week: lectures and seminars
• 8 hours a week: reading, research, writing and assignment preparation

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1, and ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 or ECON1100 Economics 1 (H), and BUSN2015 Company Accounting, and BUSN2011 Management Accounting.

Incompatible with COMM 3006 Public Sector Accounting

See Course Outline

See Course Outline

See Course Outline

For further information see the course website