Aligning with global trends: Assessing executive and fiscal reforms in Malaysia's public sector

Background and Purpose: Due to Barisan Nasional (BN) governance issues, corruption, and financial scandals, Pakatan Harapan (PH) sought institutional reforms in Malaysia. International Public Sector Accounting Standard ( IPSAS) and Malaysian Public Sector Accounting Standard (MPSAS) improved financial reporting and transparency. New accounting regulations' costs and benefits, especially in honesty and fairness, are difficult to weigh. Therefore, the article examines how these reforms affect Federal Statutory Bodies and honest and fair view reporting. Methodology: Malaysian Federal Statutory Bodies' accounting staff self-administered a quantitative survey questionnaire. Senior financial reporters with three years of experience participated. For clarification, a Malay and English five-point Likert scale poll had 99 valid responses. A questionnaire encompassed cost-benefit evaluations, social ideals, and honest reporting. We performed descriptive and inferential statistical tests, including factor and bivariate analysis. Findings: Accurate financial reporting requires cost-benefit analysis, highlighting strategic accounting reform decision-making. Accrual accounting procedures justify the high initial costs with openness, uniformity, and financial monitoring. Social values favourably promote true and fair perspective reporting, however they lack statistical significance in the Malaysian public sector due to its stringent regulatory system. Contributions: This study illuminates financial reporting complexities and suggests employing qualitative methods to improve findings and overcome limitations. Keywords: True and fair view, reporting, societal values, balancing cost-benefit concern, public sector.