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In the recent years, integrated reporting has made progress towards becoming an efficient communication instrument that would bring an active contribution to the financial stability and sustainability of the economic environment. This paper employs mainly a documentary research approach and aims to track one of the main prerequisites leading towards new trends in public sector reporting-the concept of "public accountability", and pinpoint the existing evidence which supports the perspective of adopting an integrated reporting system for public entities. Also, the authors emphasize the reaction from practitioners to the idea of "integrated reporting for the public sector" and analyse the frontrunning application of hybrid forms of reporting (e.g. City of Warsaw Integrated Sustainability Report), as well as the profile of the "Integrated Reporting-Public Sector Pioneer Network.". Findings show that integrated reporting is gaining momentum towards application in the case of public sector entities, but advancements are rather slow. Due to the scarcity of data from reporting practice regarding integrated reports in the public sector (as the Pioneer Network is currently under development), which makes it difficult to construct an empirical study with actual evidence, the authors use extrapolation and knowledge transference from existing proof of hybrid forms of reporting.

Purpose This paper aims to investigate whether the key items encompassed in the new reporting trends are addressed in the current reporting set and, also, whether there are certain patterns regarding disclosure practices across a sample of reporting entities. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology takes into consideration both the financial and non-financial elements from the entities’ activities and embeds them in the analysis, in a more holistic frame offered by integrated reporting. The disclosure level is investigated using the six-tier capital model from the International Integrated Reporting Council Framework and the eight major principles from GRI guidelines. Furthermore, the cluster analysis is used to identify the disclosure practices patterns within some European Union local public administrations. Findings The level of disclosure within the analyzed entities is relatively high. Also, the results of the cluster analysis reveal some disclosure patterns, especially regarding the Anglo-Saxon and Northern local public administrations, the municipalities with the highest degree of disclosure of the sample. Research limitations/implications The most significant limitations are represented by the sample of municipalities, the language filter and the fact that only one-year data were considered for analysis. Practical implications The study can be useful to any other institutions under the dome of the public sector, willing to enhance public accountability throughout greater transparency. Also, it might help the public managers to outline a long-term development plan about how to create value and to whom, material issues, risks and strategy through the integrated reporting, a cornerstone for future changes. Moreover, it might also be a subject of interest in the research environment, offering new opportunities for further empirical studies, by applying and testing it in other public organizations. Originality/value The study provides an original assessment tool useful to improving the reporting process. Also, it can be useful to other public institutions that are willing to enhance public accountability throughout greater transparency.

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