An evaluation of the implementation of GRAP by the South African Social Security Agency
type: CreativeWork
description: Globally, the public sector implements appropriate and pragmatic international accounting standards. The importance of developing these standards is to ensure and enhance transparency and accountability of public funds, which result in well thought out and better financial decisions. The introduction and implementation of the recognised accounting practices (GRAP) in three spheres of government, namely, national, provincial and local government, are embedded in section 216 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (108 of 1996), the Public Financial Management Act (1 of 1999), and policy documents that support the legislative requirement. The study evaluated the South African Social Security Agency's (SASSA) implementation of GRAP standards. The study aimed to understand the challenges that the accounting profession encountered during GRAP standards. There have been relatively few empirical studies specific to public entities that validated the advantages of accrual-based accounting in assuring a high-performance management system. Instead, most international research studied the migration from the cash basis of accounting to the accrual basis of accounting. Opinions differ concerning the benefits of implementing the accrual basis of accounting framework for external use in the public sector. Despite the limited empirical evidence and academics arguments, the implementation of the accrual basis of accounting framework is viewed appropriate for the public sector because it follows the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). However, the claimed benefits are questionable. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing detailed important generic strategic GRAP standards implementation guidelines. External and internal stakeholders should follow these guidelines to address the challenges encountered, implement new GRAP standards, and enhance teaching and learning at higher education institutions. The guidelines provide …
abstract: Globally, the public sector implements appropriate and pragmatic international accounting standards. The importance of developing these standards is to ensure and enhance transparency and accountability of public funds, which result in well thought out and better financial decisions. The introduction and implementation of the recognised accounting practices (GRAP) in three spheres of government, namely, national, provincial and local government, are embedded in section 216 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (108 of 1996), the Public Financial Management Act (1 of 1999), and policy documents that support the legislative requirement. The study evaluated the South African Social Security Agency's (SASSA) implementation of GRAP standards. The study aimed to understand the challenges that the accounting profession encountered during GRAP standards. There have been relatively few empirical studies specific to public entities that validated the advantages of accrual-based accounting in assuring a high-performance management system. Instead, most international research studied the migration from the cash basis of accounting to the accrual basis of accounting. Opinions differ concerning the benefits of implementing the accrual basis of accounting framework for external use in the public sector. Despite the limited empirical evidence and academics arguments, the implementation of the accrual basis of accounting framework is viewed appropriate for the public sector because it follows the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). However, the claimed benefits are questionable. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing detailed important generic strategic GRAP standards implementation guidelines. External and internal stakeholders should follow these guidelines to address the challenges encountered, implement new GRAP standards, and enhance teaching and learning at higher education institutions. The guidelines provide …
author: Mothusi, P.T.
language: en
keywords: Accounting, Accounting standards, Challenges, GRAP standards, Implementation, Legislation, Potential benefits, Public entities, Public sector, Transparency, Accountability
date published: 2020
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:33:40Z
provider: North-West University (South Africa)
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: North-West University (South Africa)

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/36418