Using XBRL for data reporting

Issue title: Electronic Data Reporting

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Branson, Merry

Affiliations: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS House, 45 Benjamin Way, Belconnen, ACT 2616, Australia. Tel.: +61 2 6252 5799; Fax: +61 2 6252 8045; E-mail: merry.branson@abs.gov.au

Abstract: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) sees XBRL as having great potential for electronic data capture. It is important that any electronic data capture option offers a strong value proposition for the provider, especially when the provider is in regular and/or multiple collections. The value proposition is much stronger to deal electronically with us if the information can be extracted from their finance and/or other management information systems. The XBRL business case for providers is that important financial information is repackaged/reused for multiple purposes. Providers potentially can satisfy the reporting requirements of many government and other institutions, ranging from Taxation to the Stock Exchange without manual or repetitive effort. E-government initiatives in Australia are marketing the idea of ‘tell government once’. Operationally this is very complex and privacy issues arise. The ABS thinks the ‘providers tag once’ is a much better proposition. Agencies instead can ask for XBRL files from providers and ‘map’ to their requirements.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2002-19309

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 201-204, 2002