Herasymenko O. Accounting in the Museum Objects and Collections Management

The thesis is devoted to the research of theoretical, practical and organizational-methodological basis of accounting in the museum objects and collections management as part of the heritage to ensure preservation of the Museum fund of Ukraine. In dissertation the accounting and economic characteristics of heritage assets are detailed and feasibility of their division into a separate accounting and economic concept in the total assets are grounded. In particular, the content of heritage is studied and specific features of the heritage assets and their composition are highlighted. The definition of heritage tangible and intangible assets that belong to the objects of cultural or natural heritage which specific features determine the need to protect them indefinitely in the interests of present and future generations is formulated. The essential features of museum objects and collections are investigated and their identification order of the total set of heritage assets is developed. The classification of museum objects and collections which is based on categorizing features established while grouping heritage assets is evolved. The legal regulation of accounting for museum objects and collections has been improved. In particular, the structure and separate provisions of NP (S) APS «Heritage assets» are offered. At the same time, the key conceptual principles of the relevant international standards are implemented and directions of integration of the proposed standard with the norms of domestic regulations are determined. Practical approaches to the formation of useful information about museum objects and collections to meet the user’s needs in terms of accountability and managerial decision making are established. The recognition procedures are offered to extend only to the new acquisitions of museum objects and collections. Evaluation expediency of museum objects and collections in the initial recognition at the cost of production or fair value which is characterized from the standpoint of the estimated value concluded according to the legal acts of Ukraine is determined. The order and evaluation peculiarities of such assets after initial recognition are grounded. It is proposed to be calculated only on museum objects and collections with a limited useful life. In turn, museum objects and collections purchased before are proposed not to be recognized (until the possibility of their full assessment) and should be accounted for at a token value. As a result of the research it is proved that the main information source for accounting of museum objects and collections is the stock accounting documentation. Organizational and methodological principles of analytical accounting of museum objects and collections through the clarification of the procedure for assigning an inventory number to such assets and development of an informative inventory card of museum object (collection) accounting are evolved. Accounting reflection of museum objects and collections as a part of heritage assets is improved. In particular, it is suggested to supplement the Chart of Accounts in the public sector with the balance sheet account 19 «Heritage Assets» (with the allocation of separate sub-accounts) – for accounting museum objects and collections at initial (overvalued) value with further inclusion of information about them in the balance sheet as well as off-balance sheet account 010 «Heritage assets» – for accounting museum objects and collections at a symbolic value without considering them in the balance sheet asset. Additionally, the need to introduce sub-account 1315 «Capital investments in heritage assets» is substantiated. Recommendations on the frequency of inventory; inventory of museum objects and collections transferred for temporary storage; the procedure for conducting and registration of the results of the annual comparison of museum objects and collections availability and condition with their topographic description; formation of inventory commissions; registration of inventory results; determining the amount of damage due to theft, shortage, destruction, damage to property are offered. Theoretical and methodological provisions of the financial statements of public sector entity are improved. In particular, it is proposed to supplement with an article of law «Heritage assets» section I «Non-financial assets» of the balance sheet to display information on recognized heritage assets. Contents f. № 5-ds «Notes to the annual financial statements» is expanded by an additional section «Heritage assets» and the explanation to the financial statements is supplemented disclosing information about the value of museum objects and collections, their types, features of recognition, entities and selected way of evaluation (revaluation), assessment costs (reassessment); management of museum objects and collections policy.