Ukraine : Country Financial Accountability Assessment

Abstract

Ukraine has several strengths, such as an educated workforce, strong bookkeeping skills, and commitment to reforms, and a long-term vision of joining the European Union. In order to strengthen existing public financial accountability, Ukraine will need to build on its strength by undertaking several measures. Experience in many other countries shows that several required changes entail reaching political consensus, reforming existing institutions, or creating new institutions. This suggests that a realistic timetable for improvement in public financial accountability will have to stretch over several years and will depend on strong leadership from the top. The most important areas for action are: bringing revenues under the scope of independent external auditors; introducing the concept of internal audit; strengthening the capacity of the Accounting Chamber to conduct financial statement audits; strengthening the accountability of state owned enterprises; introducing international accounting standards for selected enterprises; adopting international best practices for licensing of audit professionals; and strengthening the disciplinary committee of the Chamber of Auditors to provide effective oversight. Other measures needed are to: train deparmtnetal staff in implementing program budgeting; fully implementing the Budget Code; expediting the implementing of the Treasury modernization project; and implementing standardized automated accounting and reporting systems.