The Influence of Information Technology(IT)on Accrual Accounting Adoption:The Case of the Jordanian Public Sector

Jordan is one of many countries that intends to reform its public sector by adopting accrual accounting,which is primarily carried out through the International Public Sector Accounting Standards(IPSAS)implementation plan,scheduled to be completed by 2021.Considering the difficulties of adoption,this process cannot be completed without an appropriate Information Technology(IT)system capable of providing the accounting information required for this reform.Therefore,this study aims to examine the influence of IT on accrual accounting adoption in the Jordanian public sector.The study employed the quantitative survey approach.Based on 331 usable questionnaires,the descriptive findings showed that the use of IT in the Jordanian public sector is relevant to daily accounting transactions in general and to accrual accounting in particular.The regression analysis showed a positive,significant relationship between IT use and accrual accounting practice.The IT specialist should be able to understand the needs of public sector in adopting accrual-based accounting.In line with today’s digitalization age,which integrates advanced technologies and numerous techniques,this study suggests that a combination of accounting and IT experts is a value added to sharpen the competitiveness of public sector reform.This study contributes to the extant literature in public sector,concerning the relationship between IT and accrual accounting adoption in the context of Jordan.

Issues on Public Sector Accounting Reform in Jordan

This study reviews recent articles discussing the benefits of International Public Sector Accounting Standards(IPSAS)implementation in reforming public sector accounting,specifically in developing countries.These benefits are among others better transparency,accountability,and decision making in public sector financial transactions.The purpose of this study is to examine the role of IPSAS in addressing some critical financial issues,including financial aids,budget deficit,taxes,and corruption,which may hinder the progress of Jordanian public sector and the country’s economic growth.This study concludes that IPSAS has an effective role in addressing these thorny issues and its implementation would therefore allow the Jordanian public sector to reach its development goals.The unique contribution of this study is that it enriches the body of knowledge regarding the benefits of IPSAS implementation in a more holistic manner and in a new context,Jordan.

Factors Influencing Information Disclosure by Malaysian State Islamic Religious Councils: Evidence from Interviews

This paper aims to identify factors that influence the expectations of a wide range of stakeholders on the information disclosure in the Malaysian State Islamic Religious Councils(SIRC)annual reports,employing semi-structured interviews.The majority of interviewees perceived accounting standards as the main factor contributing to their expectations and further influenced the reporting practices among accountants in SIRC.Others are state fatwa(Islamic rulings),audit expectations,and individual perceptions.The result of the interviews revealed that on the top of accounting standards and government guidelines on the reporting for all government agencies,SIRC should take into account their greater accountability,which should be reflected in their reporting practices.Therefore,Islamic accountability through fatwa,audit expectations,and public demands could be considered.Such awareness is important in SIRC,to differentiate them from other government agencies.The existence of governance is similar to the board of members in a company,in SIRC through the fatwa committee.Therefore,this study suggests that the extent and quality of disclosure depends on the demand from the regulators,auditors,and funders.The findings suggest that SIRC should have an incentive to provide more information to satisfy various stakeholders’needs.Future studies can be carried out to suggest a set of disclosure items that should be disclosed in the SIRC annual reports in order to increase the level of disclosure,discharging their accountability.