Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
at UNHCR
Target Audience
This course is for all UNHCR staff.
Course Outline
Unit 1. When will UNHCR implement IPSAS?
Unit 2: What is IPSAS?
Unit 3: Why is UNHCR Adopting IPSAS?
Unit 4: Who Should Know About IPSAS?
Unit 5: What are the Impacts of IPSAS on UNHCR?
1. Important vocabulary
2. Areas of the Organization IPSAS Will Impact
3. IPSAS Implementation = Accrual Based Accounting at UNHCR
4. Impacts of Accrual Based Accounting
5. IPSAS Financial Statements
6. Challenges of IPSAS Adoption for UNHCR
Unit 1:
IPSAS AT UNHCR
UNHCR is using a progressive roll-out approach so that implementation can
take place gradually. IPSAS Implementation at UNHCR will be accomplished
using a phased approach. Phased Implementation refers to whether we are
Early Adopters or Fast Followers. UNHCR is a Fast Follower among UN
agencies.
The IPSAS Project Team has been working since 2008 in preparation of the
various implementation dates, for full compliance by 2011.
2008
Planning
Establish
Governance
Establish
Working Groups
2009
Leases
Related Party
Disclosure
Contingencies
and Provisions
2010
Inventory
and PPE,
Depreciation
of PPE - July
Staff Benefits
Effect of Foreign
Exchange
2011
Recognition of
Revenue when
earned
Recognition of
Expense when
delivered
Financial Reporting
Budget Reporting
Financial
Instruments
Full
Adoption
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Unit 1:
UN IPSAS TRAINING
UN IPSAS training will soon be available on the UNHCR
intranet in the Resource Management section of the Global
Learning Center webpage.
This course will become compulsory in 2010.
Unit 2:
What is IPSAS?
Unit 3:
A.
B.
C.
D.
One UN
Consistent UN Financial Reports
Increased Transparency
More Information About How We
Spend Money
E. High Quality Financial Reports
Unit 3:
Unit 3:
Unit 3:
Unit 3:
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Unit 3:
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Unit 4:
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Unit 4:
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Unit 4:
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Unit 4:
Unit 4:
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Unit 4:
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Unit 4:
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Unit 4:
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Unit 4:
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Unit 5:
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Unit 5:
Important Vocabulary
A
Accounting standards
Accounting standards are principles that provide for the standardization of accounting processes and
the presentation of financial statements. The primary role of these standards is to bring about
uniformity across organizations that are similar in nature of operations and functions, so that you can
understand, analyze and compare the business performance of different organizations.
Unit 5:
Important Vocabulary
C
Cash Basis of Accounting
Cash accounting is a type of accounting where transactions are only recognized in
financial statements when actual cash changes hands. UNHCR used a modified cash
basis of accounting under the UN System Accounting Standards (UNSAS).
D
Depreciation
All property and equipment, usually referred to as assets in UNHCR, loses value as it
ages. Depreciation is the systematic way to show this loss of value on our financial
statements. Example: UNHCR purchases a car for 10,000USD. The useful life of a car
is 5 years. The depreciation amount of the car will be 2,000USD each year and
2,000USD will be deducted for 5 years until the car is worth 0USD.
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Unit 5:
Important Vocabulary
E
Expenses
Expenses refer to the cost of goods and services that UNHCR has received and
the cost is reflected in the accounts at the time that the goods and services are
received. This includes invoices to suppliers and consultants, travel costs, rent,
utilities etc.
F
Fund Balance (Equity)
It is the carry over of UNHCRs Income from the prior financial year.
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Unit 5:
Important Vocabulary
I
Inventory
Items held in stock by UNHCR for distribution purposes among Persons of Concern.
Inventories are held in warehouses or are in transit to the delivery point for the
Persons of Concern.
L
Liabilities
Amounts UNHCR owes. This includes salaries payable at the end of the month,
unpaid vouchers, health insurance for staff, etc.
R
Revenue
Revenue is recognized under IPSAS when UNHCR has control over the contribution
and not when cash is received. Control means that the donor has not specified
conditions as to how UNHCR can spend money that would require refunding the
contribution if the money is not spent in the way specified by the donor.
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Unit 5:
Important Vocabulary
S
Serially Tracked Items (STIs)
STIs are valuable items such as digital cameras and satellite phones that cost less
than 5,000USD each.
Because of the low cost per item, they are not classified as PPE, nevertheless we track
these items in MSRP.
Unit 5:
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Unit 5:
Inventory &
Warehousing
Logistics
PPE
Budget
Section
DESS
Office of the
Controller
Financial Control
Section
DFAM
Regional Offices
IPSAS
Treasury
Section
Legal Affairs
Section
Bureaux
DHRM
DER
Donor Relations
Global Learning
Center
DIST
Fundraising
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Unit 5:
Accrual Basis
Unit 5:
Accrual Basis
Unit 5:
Accrual Basis
Unit 5:
Accrual Basis
Unit 5:
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Unit 5:
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Unit 5:
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Unit 5:
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Unit 5:
Unit 5:
Unit 6: How
IPSAS adoption is about more than management, dedicated project teams and detailed
plans. A wide group of staff from different parts of UNHCR will need to support this
change in order for it to happen successfully.
Though support from a variety of stakeholders is essential, ultimately it is the support of
individuals in UNHCR that will make the difference between success and failure.
Your support and open mindedness is highly appreciated!
Thank you for taking the time to learn about IPSAS.
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