1. First results of the survey on resources for national accounts
10th NBS-OECD Workshop
November 2006
Item 7.2
François Lequiller (OECD)-Hendrik Zorn (consultant)

2. Objective of the survey
Give to head of national accounts the possibility to internationally compare resources devoted to national accounts
Sensitive issue: paper has not been put on the web site of OECD
26 countries have responded
16 have accepted that their response is made public
5 have accepted that their response is in OLISnet
2 prefer that their response remains confidential
3 has not been yet included in these first results

3. International comparability
The survey has been organised so that to ensure maximum comparability
Simple comparisons are difficult:
Not all countries compile all core national accounts table
National accounts compilation can be more or less outsourced
Processes of national accounts can be more or less complex
Strict comparisons should thus be made on an case by case
The survey contained questions that can help to allow such comparisons. The responses have been transformed into « indicators of complexity ».

4. FTE staff devoted to core activities

5. Improving the comparisons
Table 1 attached
Qualification: the smaller the staff, the more qualified
Staff per million resident: very different picture
Size of country (population) is a factor
Additional activities

6. Relation FTE staff/Population

7. Coverage of core/additional activities
Table 2 attached
Not all countries cover all activities
First indicator of complexity IC1: number of tables covered
Additional activities: Table 3 attached

8. Type of work Two types of situations: Table 4 attached
Complex: the national accounts’ staff treat directly multiple individual units
Simple: the national accounts staff treat directly pre-aggregated sets
Table 4 attached
Second indicator of complexity: IC2

9. Other characteristics of complexity
Table 5 attached
Staff consuming characteristics:
-Length of time series
-Number of revisions per year
-Regular benchmarking
-Degree of detail of classification
-Separate organisations ANA/QNA
Third indicator of complexity: IC3

10. Is it possible to « model » the staff?
At this point, countries can use the results and compare themselves bilaterally
Is it however possible to « model » the staff?
The OECD National Accounts committee has recommended not to model the staff.

11. Other results Time comparisons
Significant increase in importance of GG accounts
But not much increase in resources devoted to GG accounts
Survey contains questions on specific situations and projects