Whole of government reports prepared using business sector-derived accounting techniques are not helpful. Shareholders of companies might be unconcerned about debt levels given their limited liability status. In the case of governments, taxpayer liability is unlimited. Clarity about the levels of public debt and the amount and application of public money is thus constitutionally important.
While not denying the potential usefulness of accrual accounting to produce government financial reports, the appropriateness of applying business sector-derived accounting techniques to prepare them requires debate. Whereas a Westminster democracy is based on the separation and balancing of powers, the business-style accounting technique for group accounting depends on the identification of a single controlling body. In New Zealand, the approach adopted to prepare whole of government financial reports suggests that the controlling body is the executive government, an ironic conclusion when the history of the Westminster parliament's long struggle to wrest control from the Crown is remembered.