An example of creative accounting in public sector: The private financing of infrastructures in Spain

Abstract This paper analyses some proposals for private financing of public works having emerged in Spain in recent years. We show that all the new financing methods assessed are incorrectly named as “private”, for the payments are finally made by the Government by means of its budgetary resources. A deferral of accounting and budgetary recognition of these transactions, together with a false disclosure in financial statements of the debt connected with the projects, are the main reporting consequences of the new funding methods. In short, it is a clear example of “creative accounting” with the aim of meeting the convergence criteria imposed by the European Union.