Training Program

Officials responsible for compiling quarterly national accounts (QNA) from SARTTAC member Countries.

Participants are expected to have a degree in economics or statistics, or equivalent experience.

This one-week course, presented by the Statistics Department, prepares participants to compile QNA by providing them with a thorough understanding of the concepts, source data, and compilation techniques used for producing these datasets. The course covers both theoretical and practical compilation issues. It introduces participants to benchmarking, seasonal adjustment techniques, as well as volume estimates; and explains the application of these techniques to time series data. While the course is broadly based on the IMF Quarterly National Accounts Manual (2017 Edition), it expands on techniques required to dealing with alternative data sources, and mixed frequencies. The course covers both theoretical and practical compilation issues. Participants will learn how to identify and assess available data sources for compiling QNA; use related real-time series databases to assess the quality of QNA; and implement a suitable revisions policy.