This book is unique in its scope and depth of coverage. It describes the government accounting and budgeting in each of nine European countries, at national and local levels, in their current and prospective forms. The nine countries represent Northern Europe (Finland, Sweden), Central Europe...

The paper analyses theoretically what role fiscal councils could play and surveys empirically the activities of existing councils. Case studies of the Swedish Fiscal Policy Council and the UK Office for Budget Responsibility are done. It is concluded that fiscal councils should be advisory,...