PSASB Guidelines For Transition From Cash To Accrual Accounting.

On 7th March 2024, the Cabinet approved the transition from cash to accrual accounting for the National Government, County Governments, and their respective entities. Subsequently, the transition to accrual accounting was gazetted vide Gazette Notice Number 11033, dated 30th August 2024. The Cabinet Secretary of the National Treasury and Economic Planning appointed a National Steering Committee to coordinate the transition project, which was gazetted vide Gazette Notice Number 10892, dated 30th August 2024.

The National Steering Committee's (the Committee) primary mandate includes providing overall direction and coordination for the project transitioning from cash to accrual accounting. This involves adopting a roadmap for the transition and appointing technical committees or working groups to handle the project's day-to-day implementation, communication, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring compliance, among other activities as outlined in the Committee's terms of reference.

The National Treasury, through the Accounting Services Directorate, has technical officers assigned to support implementing entities in financial reporting. Transitioning entities are urged to contact the officers for technical support in accrual accounting Additionally, PSASB has released several guidelines on specific IPSAS standards, which are available on its website

To ensure the knowledge on the accrual basis of accounting is disseminated to all relevant stakeholders, the Steering Committee has trained a pool of TOTs who will train financial statement preparers The trainers consist of officers from PSASB, the National Treasury and other public entities A database of the TOTs is being finalized and will be provided to the transitioning entities to allow them to seek guidance from experts on various areas of the transition

Over the transition period, the Steering Committee will provide regular updates and guidelines on the transition process through the following mediums of communication:

1. Circulars

2. Dedicated website for transition to accrual accounting

3. Social media pages for quick updates

4. Emails

5. Posting of guidance materials through the dedicated website

6. Print media communication

7. Newsletters and publications

To access documents related to the transition from cash to accrual basis, entities can log in to the National Treasury website and cick the accrual accounting link under the Accountant General Desk https://www.treasury.go.ke/accountant-generals: desk/