1.4. Most governance codes focus on delivering good governance practices at an organizational level. This International Framework aims to be relevant not only at the individual entity level but also at the whole-system level, which may be sub-national, national, or international. It draws on some of the architecture maps in CIPFA’s Whole System Approach to Public Financial Management, which outlines how the key constituent parts, such as external assurance and scrutiny, financial reporting, and audit standards, contribute to the integrity of the whole system.
1.5. The International Framework also adopts a “substance over form” approach, in that the fundamentals of good governance should apply equally to a whole system within government, just as much as to individual entities. As this may involve a number of individual organizations, the term “entity” has been used instead of “organization” throughout this document.
1.6. In some jurisdictions, governments or other public sector entities may fund and engage with entities in the private and not-for-profit sectors to carry out certain activities or provide certain services.6 While this International Framework does not specifically apply to governance arrangements in these circumstances, the principles may also be relevant in such cases