The strength of the United Kingdom’s central finance agency (H.M. Treasury) has been attributed to its broad and powerful influence on policy issues; the high intellectual standards of its staff; the relatively clear division between the “official” treasury and the political level; and the...

This article addresses issues relating to the establishment and financial management of extrabudgetary funds (EBFs), a large group of government entities and accounts. The article develops a typology of EBFs and argues that they are frequently created because of budget system failures and...

This article assesses the role and responsibilities of the budget advisor in developing countries and what factors make for success and failure. Since efficient budget institutions are important, the role of the budget advisor may include providing advice on institutional issues as well as on...

The paper notes that the development of sound budgetary institutions in countries such as France, the U.K. and the U.S. has taken a very long time?200 years or more?and is still evolving. It discusses Douglass North's prediction?which is supported by available data?that institutional reform is...

This paper discusses the role of fiscal policy and fiscal institutions in managing scaled-up aid. In an environment of volatile scaled-up aid, fiscal policy formulation should be anchored in medium-term frameworks, incorporating a longer-term view of potential resource availability and spending...

This paper addresses issues relating to the establishment and financial management of extrabudgetary funds (EBFs), a large group of government entities that on average accounts for 40 to 45 percent of central government expenditure-two-thirds of which represents social security funds-in...

This paper traces balance-of-payments developments in eastern Europe and the USSR over the last decade and examines their potential for adjustment. The growth of external debt and the balance of payments deficit, possible reasons for the area's poor trade performance and the factors which may...

A well-organized and effective finance ministry and its associated central finance agencies (CFAs) are essential to good fiscal outcomes. Recent studies of CFAs in selected low-income countries demonstrate that their organizational structure varies widely and that decision making on public...

This study is intended to help underpin a more coordinated, effective approach to assessing and reforming systems for public expenditure, procurement, and financial accountability in developing countries-especially countries that receive international aid for budget support. Such support, also...