Introduction
Public Accounts of Canada 2018 Volume III—Top of the page Navigation
Introduction to the Public Accounts of Canada
Nature of the Public Accounts of Canada
The Public Accounts of Canada is the report of the Government of Canada prepared annually by the Receiver General, as required by section 64 of the Financial Administration Act. It covers the fiscal year of the Government, which ends on March 31.
The information contained in the report originates from two sources of data:
- the summarized financial transactions presented in the accounts of Canada, maintained by the Receiver General
- the detailed records, maintained by departments and agencies
Each department and agency is responsible for reconciling its accounts to the control accounts of the Receiver General, and for maintaining detailed records of the transactions in their accounts.
The report covers the financial transactions of the Government during the year. In certain cases, parliamentary authority to undertake transactions was provided by legislation approved in earlier years.
Format of the Public Accounts of Canada
The Public Accounts of Canada is produced in three volumes:
- Volume I presents the audited consolidated financial statements of the Government, as well as additional financial information and analyses
- Volume II presents the financial operations of the Government, segregated by ministry
- Volume III presents supplementary information and analyses