• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.702-712
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• 2016

This study aims to compare the government accounting reform of advanced countries and South Korea and suggest policy implications for South Korea. The reform steps are structured down to institutional introduction, institutional formation and institutional stability. I researched the literatures on the government accounting system and compiled research materials from the Finance Ministries, Audit Offices, and Government Accounting Standards Boards websites of New Zealand, US, UK and South Korea. Analysis showed that advanced countries and South Korea have adopted accrual accounting systems which have provided more comprehensive and objective financial information. But the government accounting system of South Korea compared with those of advanced countries needs reform. The suggestions of this study include: expanding range of whole of government financial statements; giving coherence to the public accounting standards; adopting government audit system; and introducing accrual budgeting. However, there are differences between business accounting and government accounting and the differences are considered for government accounting reform.