## Introduction to Government Finance Statistics

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Introduction to Government Finance Statistics](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/sa/2023/gfssa23-28)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/sa/2023/gfssa23-28/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/sa/2023/gfssa23-28/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/sa/2023/gfssa23-28/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Session: SA 23.28
- Location: New Delhi, India
- Dates: August 28, 2023 - September 1, 2023 (1 week)
- Delivery method: In-person Training
- Primary language: English
- Status: Deadline passed

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### Training program
- Target audience: Officials working in national statistical institutes, finance ministries or central banks involved in the compilation of fiscal statistics.
- Qualifications: No specific qualification required but relevant experience in working with fiscal data is essential.
- Pre-requisites: Experience of working with and compiling fiscal data is a prerequisite for participation on this course.

### Course description
- Examines the conceptual and practical elements of compiling and disseminating fiscal statistics according to international standards to assess the impact of government activities on a country's economy and to facilitate international comparisons.
- Focuses on the conceptual framework of government finance statistics (GFS) as presented in the IMF's Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014 (GFSM 2014) and on practical aspects of data compilation.
- Discusses the basic concepts, definitions, accounting rules, classifications and presentation tables of the GFS framework.
- Explains the compilation and dissemination of comprehensive and cross country comparable GFS.
- Demonstrates how to use GFS to evaluate the impact of government activities on a country's economy.

### Course objectives
Participants should be able to:
- Explain the basic concepts, definitions, and accounting principles in the integrated GFS framework.
- Classify basic government flows and stock positions according to GFSM 2014.
- Apply the general principles to classify an entity in the public sector and in relevant subsectors, such as the general government and public corporations.
- Record the fiscal flows and stocks associated with the activities of public sector entities, following the GFSM 2014 guidelines and classifications.
- Explain how the main GFS aggregates and analytical balances are calculated, and what they show about the government's impact on the economy.
- Recognize the value of comprehensive, consistent, and internationally comparable GFS, and the use of the key GFS indicators in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of fiscal policy.

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## References

- [In-person Training](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/delivery-methods)
- [Core Elements of Banking Supervision (CBS)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/at/2027/cbsat27-10)
- [Advanced Government Finance Statistics (GFS-A)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/ce/2026/gfs-ace26-45)
- [Fiscal Sustainability (FS)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/ce/2026/fsce26-38)
- [Safeguards Assessments of Central Banks (SAC)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/at/2026/sacat26-30)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/sa/2023/gfssa23-28_