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Public spending & reporting
Introduction to Classification
Classification is about how to record entities and their transactions in an accounting system. The classification rules of the system in question are used to determine which bodies should be included within that system, and how their activity should be recorded. The classification rules therefore affect all outputs from the accounting system, such as the overall surplus/deficit.
There are different systems for the classification of transactions depending on whether we are considering resource accounts and budgets, or national accounts and the fiscal rules, since these systems have different purposes.
The short paper introduces the classification systems. Readers new to the area are advised to read this paper as it introduces the national accounts, the fiscal rules and main fiscal aggregates and the concepts used in financial accounts and departmental budgets and Estimates.
Classification papers
- Classification Paper information pack (PDF 143KB) contains details of how departments should go about seeking a classification decision.
- Classification questionnaire (Word 51KB)
- Classification Paper: Sector Classification (PDF 217KB)
- Classification Paper: Classification of Receipts (PDF 48KB)
- Classification Paper: Capital and Financial Transactions (PDF 143KB)
- Summary Technical Guidance on National Accounts Standards for PFI and Similar Transactions (PDF 95KB)
- Technical Guidance on National Accounts Standards for PFI and Similar Transactions (PDF 412KB)
Related links
- The Consolidated Budgeting Guidance provides both an overview of the budgeting framework and gives detailed guidance to managers on how to budget for individual transactions.
- Public spending planning and control in the UK - a brief introduction
- National Accounts Classifications (ONS website, opens in new browser window)
Guidance not maintained by classification branch
- Financial Reporting Manual
- European Central Bank Government Finance Statistics Guide (PDF 1.5MB, opens in new browser window)
Some of the above documents are available in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). If you do not have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer you can download the software free of charge from the Adobe website. For alternative ways to read PDF documents and further information on website accessibility visit the HM Treasury accessibility page.
For further information, contact Andrew Evans (020 7270 4623) or Lesley Neill (0207 270 5338).
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