The global financial crisis reveals consolidation and guarantees to be key issues for financial sustainability

Abstract

This paper investigates the accounting and reporting of government interventions during the most recent global financial crisis. It shows that governments do not report all their interventions as required by accounting standards. The incompleteness of information may systematically lead to erroneous decisions and therefore jeopardize financial sustainability. Particularly relevant are shortcomings in the field of consolidation and the presentation of financial guarantees.