PUBLIC ACCOUNTING

Knowledge and understanding: Students will acquire knowledge of the complex accounting system of public organizations. After identifying the objectives and the organizational context of these entities, the study of the matter will be directed to the understanding of accounting aspects related to the different logic of cash accounting and accrual accounting. The study will allow to know and interpret the main planning documents, including the three-year budget, and those of the reporting phase.

Applying knowledge and understanding: The course aims to develop technical skills that will enable students to learn and read the estimate accounting documents and statements of accounts in public organizations. The student will acquire the ability to observe the managerial facts in certain aspects (economic and financial) and to understand the relationships between the various documents of the public accounting system.

Making judgements: The student will develop autonomy of judgment that will allow him to express critical remarks on the phenomena that have an impact on managerial aspects and accordingly on the accounting data and results expressed in the documents of the public accounting system.

Communication skills: Through knowledge, understanding and the acquisition of a specialist language, the student will be able to develop communication skills to carry out accounting assessments and to treat critically relevant accounting issues.

Learning skills: The methodology used will allow the student to develop the attitude of "learning by doing". Models and accounting report will be developed in practice with various applications and examples. Workshops will be organized in which, through the involvement of public managers that work in the field, specific critical issues will be processed and discussed, stimulating debate and interaction.

The course program contains 2 parts and deals with the study of public accounting tools and methodology useful to get the key of understanding public accounts and financial statements of public institutions.

The course is delivered through lectures and exercices.

The course’s contents are articulated as follow: Importance and complexity of public institutions. The basic concepts for the study of public administrations. Features and specifications of public management. The traditional model of public administrations. New Public Management and the transition from government to governance. Decision-making processes in public administrations. The decisions on the acquisition and use of public resources. The Public accounting and the logic of budget. The public accounting principles. The programming activity and the budget. The Annual report and the Financial Account. The balance sheet and the income statement. The book-keeping entries. The cash and the accrual accounting. The accounting harmonization.