Drivers for the voluntary adoption of consolidated financial statements in local governments

This paper investigates consolidated financial statements (CFS), which have been implemented by several countries. In Italy, CFS implementation was preceded by a testing period in which local governments could participate on a voluntary basis. This paper explains why this was a useful preliminary step to implementing CFS: the local governments that took part in the testing period were able to enhance their knowledge of the topic while improving their employees’ skills. IMPACT The study highlights the benefits of a testing period for local government politicians and managers when important accounting reforms, such as implementing consolidated financial statements (CFS), are being introduced. A testing period can enhance knowledge on the accounting standards, as well as improving employees’ skills and citizens’ perception of local government performance. Central governments are encouraged to provide technical assistance to local governments through training or providing manuals to facilitate the implementation of CFS. Moreover, feedback from the testing period could support the revision of accounting rules and standards.