F8: Governmental Funds Flashcards
G in “GRaSPP” stands for what?
General fund
Purpose of the general fund
Accounts for the general activities of a government that are not accounted for by any other fund
Examples of general fund activities
-Admin and general services of the government
What to remember about the revenue sources and expenditure types of the general fund
- Has the largest variety of revenues in a governmental unit
- Has the largest share of expenditures in a governmental unit
Types of revenue sources of the general fund
- Taxes (property taxes, franchise and public service)
- Public safety and regulation (fees, fines, license and permit revenues)
- Intergovernmental (shared or grant revenues)
- Charges for services
- Other revenues (investment earnings)
Types of expenditures of the general fund
- General government
- Public safety
- Culture and recreation
The assets and liabilities of the general fund consist of _______ items
Current items only
How are fixed assets accounted for in the general fund?
As expenditures
R in “GRaSPP” stands for what?
Revenue (Special) Fund
Purpose of the special revenue fund
- Revenues and expenditures that are legally restricted or committed
- Life of the fund may be limited or unlimited
Expendable Trust Activities definition
- Examples: scholarship and endowment funds
- Principal and income are expended over the life so they are depleted at the end
Expendable Trust Activities should be accounted for how?
In a special revenue fund
The rule of thumb for the use of the correct fund with grants is:
- If government monitoring, special revenue fund
- If non-monitoring, agency trust fund
S in “GRaSPP” stands for what?
Service (debt) fund
Purpose of the service (debt) fund
Accumulation of resources and payment of currently due principal on “LT general obligation debt” by setting aside cash and cash equivalents
What does the debt service fund pay off?
The debt of the GRaSPP funds
What does the debt service fund NOT pay off?
The debt of the SE-PAPI funds
What is NOT used under the debt service fund?
Encumbrances
Expenditure timing under the debt service fund
P&I expenditures recorded when they are legally payable per the bond agreement
-There is no profit motive, so no matching principle
Is there an allocation between principal and interest under the debt service fund?
NO! both are expenditures
Is there an accrual of interest expenditure or interest payable?
NO!
Is there any amortization or premium of a bond discount?
NO!
Debt Service Fund closing entries
- Reverse for same amount established at beginning
- Close activity for actual amount
1st P in “GRaSPP” stands for what?
Projects (Capital) Fund
think: purchasing department
Purpose of the projects (capital) fund
For the construction or purchase or leasing of significant fixed assets used by GRaSPP only (not by SE-PAPI)
What is the life of the capital projects fund?
Should be short- limited to a construction period of 1-3 years
Revenues and Other Financing Sources for the Capital Projects Fund
- Investment earnings
- Tax revenues
- Capital grants
- Special assessments
Capital grants definition
Monies received in advance
How capital grants are recorded
As a liability, expended as earned
Restrictive VS. Unrestrictive grant money treatment
Restrictive = Deferred until earned Unrestrictive = revenue now (recognized immediately)
Special Assessments definition
Taxes or fees levied against property owners who will directly benefit from the project (sidewalks and street lights)
If government is potentially liable for the special assessment debt, they should:
Account for the capital project and debt related transactions through the appropriate governmental or proprietary fund
If government is NOT potentially liable for the special assessment debt, they should:
- Report the transactions in an agency fund AND
- Exclude assets and liabilities from government-wide presentations
What is NOT recorded in the capital projects fund?
Bond liability
2nd P in “GRaSPP” stands for what?
Permanent funds
Purpose of the permanent fund
Used to report resources that are legally restricted to the extent that only earnings and not principal may be used
Example of a Permanent Fund
Something that is for the benefit of the public
example: a public cemetery perpetual care fund
What is NOT used under the permanent fund?
Encumbrances
What two governmental funds (GRaSPP) do not record encumbrances?
- Debt service fund
- Permanent fund
