Research surveys have suggested that there are several qualitative characteristics that are desirable in published financial reports of governmental units. Explain why comparability is so important to users and what this means for users.

The four major qualitative characteristics desired of governmental financial reports are 1)comparability among governments, 2)consistency between years, 3)completeness, and 4)timeliness.
Comparability among governments is particularly important because users need to be able to determine the scope of the reporting entity and the particular elements of the financial statements (revenues, expenditures, assets, and debt, especially unfunded liabilities and contingencies). In particular, users want to define the reporting entity and what "control" means for governments and related agencies, entities, and so on. Also, how governments classify and measure revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities should be consistent. Finally, users want debt to include contingent debt.