TRANSPARENCY OF PUBLIC AND LOCAL FINANCES: FOREIGN EXPERIENCE
Abstract
In modern conditions, the role of transparency of both public and local finances is growing significantly, which is a tool to increase the efficiency of financial resources, which confirms the analysis of Ukrainian and foreign studies. In Ukraine, the level of transparency is improving every year and as of 2019 is assessed by international organizations as the minimum allowable. At the same time, the level of transparency of local budgets differs significantly in different regions. To improve the situation and implement best practices in the field of transparency of public finances at both the state and local levels, it is important to analyze the foreign experience of those countries that are leaders in ratings of transparency of public authorities and transparency of the budget process. The paper analyzes the experience of the Office of the Public Accountant of Texas (USA), the Treasury of New Zealand and the Treasury of the Republic of South Africa, which according to the open budget rating provided by the International Budget Partnership are among the 10 most transparent countries. Analysis of the content of the information portal of the Texas Public Accounts Controller Office showed a separate section “Transparency” with a detailed presentation of information in terms of key blocks of revenues and expenditures, state budget and finances, information on the formation and use of funds in all localities, information on budget deficit as well as information on transparency at the level of individual settlements, school districts, etc. A comparative analysis with the state of transparency of Ukrainian government agencies responsible for the development and implementation of financial policy and identifies weaknesses and strengths in terms of their transparency. It is established that the openness of the process of using public finances in Ukraine is gradually increasing, while the positions in the world transparency rating are also improving. However, the conceptual difference between building sites in the countries analyzed is that they report to taxpayers in a form that is accessible to them, rather than simply covering available information without comment or explanation.
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