Traditionally, economics training in public finances has focused more on tax than public expenditure issues, and within expenditure, more on policy considerations than the more mundane matters of public expenditure management. For many years, the IMF's Public Expenditure Management Division has answered specific questions raised by fiscal economists on such missions. Based on this experience, these guidelines arose from the need to provide a general overview of the principles and practices observed in three key aspects of public expenditure management: budget preparation, budget execution, and cash planning. For each aspect of public expenditure management, the guidelines identify separately the differing practices in four groups of countries - the francophone systems, the Commonwealth systems, Latin America, and those in the transition economies. Edited by Barry H. Potter and Jack Diamond, this publication is intended for a general fiscal, or a general budget, advisor interested in the macroeconomic dimension of public expenditure management.

A basic reference document for persons interested in the federal budget-making process. Emphasizes budget terms in addition to relevant economic and accounting terms to help the user appreciate the dynamics of the budget process. Also distinguishes between any differences in budgetary and non-budgetary meanings of terms. Over 300 terms defined. Index. Appendices: overview of the federal budget process, budget functional classification, and more.

Supply estimates are means by which the Government seeks funds and authority from Parliament for its yearly expenditure, and, in addition, there are three regular occasions when Government may present supplementary estimates to the House of Commons for additional resources. The Committee's report sets out some proposed changes to the system of scrutiny and approval of Estimates of public expenditure. These include: provisions appropriating expenditure for the financial year just ending (i.e. allocating it to the purposes set out in the Estimates) would be set out in the March Consolidated Fund Bill, rather than July, as at present, in order to allow Resource Accounts to be audited and presented to the House earlier; in certain limited circumstances, Supplementary Estimates should be able to reduce levels of expenditure already authorised; and Supplementary Estimates to be approved in December or March would be required to be presented to the House at least fourteen days in advance (rather than eight), giving select committees longer to examine them.

Reply to the Committee's 1st report session 2003-04 (HCP 393, ISBN 0215015673)