The thesis deals with the subject of process performance measurement in a financial accounting department in the context of outsourcing these processes or their parts. The aim of the thesis is to propose a set of indicators for measuring the performance of financial accounting department in the context of processes in an international telecommunications company with respect to effective measurement, integrity with corporate business processes and meaningful and correct values of these metrics. Firstly, in the theoretical part, the reader is informed about the core processes in a finance accounting department. The reader is informed about the basic terms related to performance measurement, in particular KPI's (definition, implementation, evaluation, meaning ...). Finally, basic concepts associated with outsourcing are explained and the importance of performance indicators in the relationship between the supplier of the accounting services and the customer is outlined. The practical part deals with the design of performance indicators for a finance accounting department of an international telecommunications company. The indicators are designed to reflect the processes in the company. An emphasis is on those processes (or parts thereof) that are provided externally - by a third party provider of accounting services. Each indicator is defined by its description, meaning and method of measurement. If any adjustments to the processes are necessary, these process changes are described. The weaknesses and risks of implementation are indicated in the following section. The results of the individual measurements are presented for a minimum of 6 consecutive months (where it was possible to obtain data retrospectively, the values are calculated for the minimum of 12 months).

Thesis (M. Com. (Accountancy)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / This study investigated the effect of mayoral attributes on the financial performance of selected municipalities for improved service delivery in South Africa. The study adopted the quantitative research method to examine the relationship between mayoral attributes (age, administrative experience, and educational background) and financial performance. This study used data from 30 municipalities based in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study used data collected from selected municipal annual reports available on their websites using purposive sampling and panel data analysis to analyse the data. The results showed a positive relationship between administrative experience and financial performance, a negative relationship between age and financial performance, and a negative relationship between educational background and financial performance. Therefore, the study recommends that to improve financial performance in municipalities for improved service delivery the appointment of a municipal mayor should be based on administrative experience. Furthermore, the study suggests that in consideration of the need to interpret constantly emerging new financial regulations to promote financial stability in municipalities, the educational qualifications of mayoral candidates should be prioritised. However, the study did not examine other mayoral attributes that can affect financial performance, such as independence, race, and allowance because they are challenging to estimate. Keywords: Financial performance; age; Administrative experience; Educational background; municipalities; mayoral attributes.

An examination of the management accounting systems literature revealed the need for additional research based on a contingency perspective. Specifically, additional empirical research based on a well-articulated theory. A theoretical model was developed building on Galbraith’s theory of organization structure. Two sources of uncertainty -- environmental uncertainty and task uncertainty -- were viewed as forming the information processing requirements faced by the organization. In response to these requirements, organizations were viewed as adapting by altering their level of decentralization and their use of budget systems. Organizational effectiveness was achieved by a proper fit between the uncertainty faced by the organization and these responses. Data were collected from business unit managers using a survey instrument. A total of 103 usable responses were obtained with an overall response rate of 49%. Previously developed measures were used for all variables except for budget system usefulness. A measure for this variable was developed and validated. The data were examined using path analysis. The data did not support the model. Problems encountered in the use of perceptual measures for the uncertainty variables appeared to be the most likely explanation for the weak results. However, when the data was split based on the performance measure an interesting result was observed. Specifically, the relationships between the uncertainty measures, decentralization, and budget system usefulness were different for the low and high-performance group. An explanation for this tinding was offered. / Ph. D.

Many large urban school districts in the United States have suffered from fiscal stress, while others have not. Fiscal stress often has led to program cutbacks, layoffs, and decline in the quality of educational services. The purpose of this research study was to examine the predictors of fiscal stress in large urban school districts and to develop a method for predicting fiscal stress. A variety of demographic, economic, financial, governance, and geographic variables were used. The study found a number of variables that were significantly related to large urban school district fiscal stress and produced a model for predicting fiscal stress. / Ed. D.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study undertakes an extensive literature review and analysis of the South African Government’s venture towards adopting accrual accounting in the national and provincial spheres of government. The venture is benchmarked against similar ventures of New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. The experiences of other countries are used only to the extent needed to shed further light on certain issues and do not constitute a meaningful portion of the study. The study examined whether the accruals basis of accounting will increase the value of the system of accounting in the broader strategy to improve service delivery in the national and provincial spheres of government in South Africa. Two subsidiary issues are also examined: whether the departments are ready and able to cope with a change to accrual accounting in the foreseeable future; and the risks inherent in the change The main observations of the study are that the Government of South Africa (GoSA) faces a serious service delivery crisis. The government has identified that a broad package of reforms, including an improved system of accounting, is needed to address the service delivery dilemma. The change from the current modified cash to the accruals basis of accounting in the national and provincial spheres of government forms part of this solution. The change to accrual accounting is aimed at producing additional and more sophisticated information that will be used to improve decision making and ultimately the quality and cost of government services. This move is consistent with the requirements of the PFMA, which requires the government’s accounting system to operate within the GRAP framework, an accrual accounting format. The paper finds that although accrual accounting is a superior model in theory, in practice there is an increasing sense of disillusionment with the outcomes of accrual accounting, hence an accompanying decline in the interest shown by governments across the world in changing to this format. In all three countries studied there is evidence that accrual accounting reform has underperformed relative to the original expectations. Causes of this scenario are linked to the adoption of a model of accrual accounting that is not properly configured for the nuances of the public sector, poor implementation and in some cases the unrealistic expectation of seeing results too soon after implementation. These countries have had to take additional measures to obtain value, some of which nevertheless remain elusive. All three countries nevertheless cited improved asset management as the prime benefit of the accrual accounting system. It is noted that, when the information produced through the system of accrual accounting is used effectively, it ought to result in a more effective, efficient and transparent use of resources – a precondition for improving service delivery. The paradox is that accrual accounting is used in the South African municipalities and public entities, yet, the majority of these institutions have dismal service delivery records. This illustrates that accrual accounting in and of itself will not make a significant impact on the quality of service delivery and that there is a need for an intensive programme of control, governance and skills improvement alongside the accrual accounting reform. In the final analysis the study finds that there is a paucity of evidence showing the causality between the adoption of accrual accounting and improvements in service delivery; in the main because accrual accounting was introduced within a broader set of reforms and it has not been possible to isolate its impact. It is also observed that the national and provincial departments are underprepared for accrual accounting and that there are significant risks to implementing the change in the foreseeable future. Given this scenario, the hypothesis that the accruals basis of accounting is a superior model for addressing the service delivery challenges in the GoSA cannot be confirmed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie onderneem 'n omvattende literatuurstudie en analise van die Suid-Afrikaanse Regering se onderneming tot die goedkeuring van Toevalling rekeningkunde in die nasionale en provinsiale sfere van die regering. Die onderneming is teen soortgelyke ondernemings van Nieu-Seeland, Australië en die Verenigde Koninkryk vergelyk. Die ervarings van ander lande word slegs gebruik in die mate wat nodig is om meer lig te werp op sekere kwessies en maak nie 'n betekenisvolle gedeelte van die studie uit nie. Hierdie studie ondersoek of die toevalling rekeningkundige grondslag die waarde van die rekeningkundige stelsel van toename in die breër strategie om dienslewering in die nasionale en provinsiale sfere van die regering in Suid-Afrika sal verbeter. Twee addisionele kwessies word ook ondersoek om te bepaal of departemente binne die afsienbare toekoms gereed en in staat sal wees om aan te gaan met 'n verandering aan die Toevalling rekeningkunde asook die risiko's wat inherent in die verandering is sal kan hanteer. Die belangrikste waarnemings van die studie is dat die Regering van Suid-Afrika 'n ernstige dienslewering krisis in die gesig staar. Die regering het vasgestel dat 'n breë pakket van die hervorming, insluitend 'n verbeterde stelsel van rekeningkunde, nodig is om die dienslewering dilemma aan te spreek. Die verandering van die huidige rekeningkundige stelsel na die toevalling basis van rekeningkunde in die nasionale en provinsiale sfere van die regering vorm deel van hierdie oplossing. Die verandering aan die toevalling rekeningkundige is gemik op die vervaardiging van addisionele en meer komplekse inligting wat gebruik sal word om besluitneming en uiteindelik die kwaliteit en koste van die regering se dienste te verbeter. Hierdie stap is in ooreenstemming met die vereistes van die PFMA, wat vereis dat die regering se rekeningkundige stelsel te bedryf binne die raamwerk van die GRAP, 'n toevalling rekeningkundige formaat. Die ondersoek het bevind dat hoewel Toevalling rekeningkunde 'n uitstekende model in die teorie is dat daar in die praktyk 'n toenemende gevoel van ontnugtering met die uitkomste van toevalling rekeningkundige is en die belangstelling wat deur die regerings regoor die wêreld in die verandering na hierdie formaat ‘n beduidende afname toon. In al drie lande wat ondersoek is, is daar bewyse dat die hervorming van die boekhoudsysteem onder presteer het met betrekking tot die oorspronklike verwagtinge wat gestel was. Die oorsake hiervan is gekoppel aan die aanvaarding van 'n model van die toevallingsgrondslag rekeningkundige wat nie behoorlik ingestel vir die nuanses van die openbare sektor, swak uitvoering en in sommige gevalle die onrealistiese verwagting dat resultate vinnig na die implementering gesien sal word. Hierdie lande het bykomende maatreëls ingestel om waarde te verkry maar sommige van die waardes bly steeds ontwykend. Al drie lande is dit eens dat verbeterde besluitneming, die primêre voordeel van die boekhoudsysteem, die kritiese insette bly vir verbeterde dienslewering. Dit is bekend dat wanneer die inligting wat deur die stelsel van toevalling rekeningkundige geproduseer word, doeltreffend gebruik word, dit tot 'n meer effektiewe, doeltreffende en deursigtige gebruik van hulpbronne behoort te lei - 'n voorvereiste vir die verbetering van dienslewering. Die paradoks is dat toevalling rekeningkunde in die munisipaliteite en openbare entiteite gebruik word, maar die meerderheid van hierdie instellings het 'n swak dienslewering rekord. Dit illustreer dat toevalling rekeningkunde in en van opsigself nie 'n beduidende impak op die gehalte van dienslewering sal maak nie en dat daar 'n behoefte vir 'n intensiewe program om beheer, bestuur en vaardighede te verbeter bykomend tot die oplopende rekeningkundige hervorming moet wees. Die studie het bevind dat daar 'n gebrek aan bewyse tussen die aanneming van toevallingrekeningkundige en die moontlike verbeterings in dienslewering met die stelsel is. In hoofsaak is die boekhoudsysteem binne 'n breër stel hervormings ingestel en kan die moontlike impak daarvan nie geisoleer word nie. Dit is ook waargeneem dat die nasionale en provinsiale departemente swak is in die toevallingrekeningkundige stelsel en dat daar beduidende risiko's vir die implementering van die verandering in die afsienbare toekoms. In lig van hierdie opsomming kan die hipotese nie bevestig word dat die toevallings rekeningkunde as ‘n beter model bevestig is om die dienslewering uitdagings aan te spreek in die Regering.

I examine the impact of real earnings management (REM) and corporate governance on cash holdings. Extant research documents an increase in both cash holdings and REM activity in recent years and shows that agency conflicts influence both the levels and valuations of cash holdings. Motivated by agency problems of REM and Jensen's (1986) arguments concerning the free cash flow problem, I investigate whether opportunistic asset sales and reductions in discretionary expenditures are associated with levels and valuations of cash holdings. Prior research also shows that strong corporate governance mitigates opportunistic earnings management behavior and enhances the valuation of cash holdings. Using empirical models from prior research, I document that REM is positively associated with cash holdings, investors discount cash holdings of high REM firms, and, among high REM firms, valuations of cash holdings of weak corporate governance firms are discounted significantly lower relative to those of strong corporate governance firms. My study unites two lines of research by incorporating agency problems concerning REM with levels and valuations of cash holdings. / by Adam J. Greiner. / Vita. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERALLY RECOGNISED ACCOUNTING PRACTICE (GRAP) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC WORKS IN THE WESTERN CAPE. The research project was undertaken to explore one of the major obstacles in South Africa’s public sector, namely shifting the basis of accounting from modified cash accounting to accrual accounting. Contrary to cash accounting, which recognises expenditure only when cash is paid and income is received, accrual accounting recognises expenditure when the goods and services are received and income is recognised when services are rendered. Given the condition of financial reporting within departments with no accrual accounting compliant systems, no processes and policies in place to comply with accruals and lack of relevant capacity and skills, the purpose of the study was to determine the capability of the department to implement accrual accounting (mainly Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP)) in the public sector context. What needed to be determined was the readiness of the department for the implementation and the challenges and conditions that hampered the implementation of accrual accounting. The literature review explores the existing information for correlation with the implementation of GRAP and recommendations are made to departments within the public sector to ensure an approach and conversion plan that would be relevant and practical in the current environment and address all challenges and concerns identified within a reasonable time frame. The importance of the research for the public sector resides in the recognition of the need for better understanding of the implementation of accrual accounting, so that significant risks and challenges of the accrual accounting implementation may be determined within departments in the public sector. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsingsprojek is onderneem om die gereedheid van die Departement van Vervoer en Openbare Werke ten opsigte van die implementering van die toevallingsgrondslag van rekeningkunde (GRAP) in die publieke sektor te bepaal. Ondersoek is ingestel na een van die grootste struikelblokke in Suid-Afrika se publieke sektor, naamlik die verskuiwing vanaf die kontantgrondslag van rekeningkunde na die toevallingsgrondslag van rekeningkunde. Ooreenkomstig die kontantgrondslag van rekeningkunde word transaksies en ander gebeure erken wanneer kontant ontvang of betaal word. Volgens die toevallingsgrondslag van rekeningkunde word transaksies en ander gebeure egter erken wanneer dit aangegaan word en nie wanneer kontant ontvang of betaal word nie. Gegewe die toestand van finansiële verslagdoening binne die departemente, met geen voldoening aan toevallingsgrondslagrekeningkundige stelsels nie, geen prosesse en beleide in plek nie en 'n gebrek aan kapasiteit en vaardighede in die publieke sektor, was die doel van die studie om te bepaal tot watter mate die departement oor die vermoë beskik om toevallingsgrondslagrekeningkunde binne die departemente in die publieke sektor te implementeer en om die gereedheid vir die implementering en die uitdagings en struikelblokke wat die implementering kan belemmer, te identifiseer. ‘n Literatuurstudie is onderneem om die beskikbare inligting met die implementering van toevallingsgrondslagrekeningkunde (GRAP) te gekorreleer en aanbevelings word aan die departemente in die publieke sektor gemaak om te verseker dat die benadering en die omskakelingsplan hiervoor die huidige situasie toepaslik en prakties sal aanspreek en alle uitdagings en probleme binne 'n redelike tydperk die hoof sal bied. Vir die publieke sektor is die belangrikheid van die navorsing daarin geleë dat 'n beter begrip van die toepassing van toevallingsgrondslagrekeningkunde in departemente nodig is sodat die beduidende risiko's en uitdagings wat met die implementering van toevallingsgrondslagrekeningkunde binne departemente in die openbare sektor vasgestel kan word.

This dissertation follows a three-essay format. Each essay evaluates a different fiscal institution from a public administration perspective. In the first essay I examine whether state-funded property tax exemptions are effective in reducing the property taxes. This class of exemption is characterized by a grant from state to local governments that is intended to replace property tax revenue and lower property tax payments. Two separate theories of local fiscal behavior predict that that price effects and fiscal illusion will reduce the effectiveness of this type of tax relief. I test these predictions using panel regression analysis on county-level data from Georgia. I find that only two thirds of the revenue allocated to this program is actually used for tax relief. In the second essay I test a model of the property tax in which the levy is set to balance the difference between budgeted expenditures and expected receipts from all other revenue sources. This model demonstrates how the property tax can be used to offset unexpected changes to other revenues given a change in personal income. This model is contrasted with an alternative model in which expenditures are budgeted after expected total revenues have been determined. I will estimate both models for local governments in Georgia and test which more accurately describes local fiscal performance. I will also use both to predict changes to the property tax over a period of time and measure which model generated the more accurate forecast. Unlike the first two papers, which are quantitative analyses of fiscal data, this chapter is a case study of the contract city model of governance as implemented in the newly incorporated city of Sandy Springs, Georgia. I investigate whether the scope of outsourcing in contract cities creates additional challenges for city officials that manage contractor performance. I evaluate the incentive structures in the contract agreements that influence the principal-agent relationship using a textual analysis research method. I find that certain combinations of municipal functions in a single public-private partnership creates the potential for negative synergies to arise which would increase the difficulty of monitoring and managing the private partner.

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / The aim of the study investigates the significance of Auditor General in the control of public funds in local government with specific reference to Mopani District Municipality in order to make recommendations that can assist in improving the control of public funds. The research identifies and assesses weaknesses in how Mopani District Municipality has been controlling its public funds by analyzing the Auditor General reports for the past three financial years and its implications to service delivery. The research further assesses the role played by Auditor General in influencing the internal financial control of the municipality and in auditing the performance of the municipality since in other municipalities money is paid to contractors for services not rendered. The study provides academic input into public administration, specifically in the area of improving service delivery performance, control and financial performance management in municipalities. The study could contribute to the establishment of effective ways of monitoring the control of public funds by municipalities. / NRF