Lecture 8 Flashcards
use of fund accounting by a governmental organization
Fund accounting enables service and mission-driven organizations to easily monitor compliance with spending purpose (legal restrictions), spending limits (budget and financial control), and other fiscal accountability objectives.
fund financial statements
Fund financial statements are displayed to report additional and detailed information about the primary government.
Governmental funds
Governmental funds use the current financial resources measurement focus and modified accrual basis of accounting in their fund financial statements. Proprietary and fiduciary funds use the economic resources measurement focus and accrual basis of accounting.
dunds
the internal service fund’s fund financial statement would be prepared using an economic resources measurement focus and the accrual basis of accounting. The governmental funds, which include the general fund, permanent fund and capital projects fund, would be prepared using the current financial resources measurement focus and the modified accrual basis of accounting.
Most difficult to report
Relevance means the information must bear a logical relationship with the needs for its purpose. It must also be reliable. The achievement of this reporting objective is more difficult to establish than it is to demonstrate consistency (adherence to the consistent application of GAAP from year to year) or comparability (the use of GAAP in a manner comparable to other governments). The timeliness objective requires that reports be issued early enough to facilitate timely decisions. The timeliness of reporting is relatively easy to demonstrate.
Measurement focus
Measurement focus for a governmental fund contemplates measurement of the flow of current financial resources and resulting financial position. A fund’s measurement focus identifies what transactions should be recorded and how they should be reported. For governmental funds, the statement of revenues and expenditures should report resources received and consumed during the current period (current financial resources focus). The balance sheet shows available resources and current obligations (financial position focus).
Economic measurement focus
Neither the general fund nor the permanent fund will use the economic resources measurement focus. Both funds are governmental funds that use the financial resources measurement focus. The measurement focus of governmental funds is on the determination of current financial position and changes in current financial position (sources, uses, and balances of financial resources) rather than on capital maintenance or net income determination. Proprietary and fiduciary funds use the economic resources measurement focus.
funds
A fund is a fiscal and accounting entity with a self-balancing set of accounts recording cash and other financial resources, together with all related liabilities and residual equities or balances, and changes therein. Fund resources are segregated for the purpose of carrying out specific activities (e.g., water and sewer operations) or attaining certain objectives (e.g., providing drinking water and wastewater management services to customers).
Primary measurement focus
The governmental fund measurement focus is on current financial resources, the determination of financial position and changes in financial position (sources, uses, and balances of current financial resources), rather than on such proprietary objectives as net income determination, capitial maintenance or cash flows.
Measurement focus is used for the determination of:
Measurement focus for a governmental fund contemplates measurement of the flow of current financial resources and resulting financial postion. Income determination is a focus of the proprietary and fiduciary funds. A fund’s measurement focus identifies what transactions should be recorded and how they should be reported. For governmental funds, the statement of revenues and expenditures should report resources received and consumed during the current period (current financial resources focus). The balance sheet shows available resources and current obligations (financial position focus).
The orientation of accounting and reporting for all proprietary funds of governmental units is:
Accounting and reporting for proprietary funds is similar to accounting and reporting for a business enterprise. Thus, the full accrual basis is used and the measurement focus is on net income and capital maintenance.
The primary emphasis in accounting and reporting for governmental funds is on:
The measurement focus prescribed by GASB standards for all governmental funds is the “flow of current financial resources” focus which measures sources, uses, and balances of current financial resources.
Modified accrual
Special revenue funds are governmental funds, which use the modified accrual basis of accounting.
full accrual
Choice “a” is incorrect. Internal service funds are proprietary funds, which use the full accrual basis of accounting.
Choice “c” is incorrect. Enterprise funds are proprietary funds, which use the full accrual basis of accounting.
Choice “b” is incorrect. Private purpose trust funds are fiduciary funds, which use the full accrual basis of accounting.
Abbreviations
Proprietary funds (SE) and fiduciary funds (PAPI). SE internral SERVICE and ENTERPRICE. PAPI:
GRSPP
General,Special revenue,Debt service,Capital projects and permanent. Pension, agency,Private purpose and investment trust
Which of the following funds of a governmental unit recognizes revenues only in the accounting period in which they become available and measurable in their fund financial statements?
he general fund uses the modified accrual basis of accounting which recognizes revenues in the accounting period in which they become available and measurable. The enterprise fund uses the full accrual basis of accounting, which recognizes revenues in the accounting period in which they are earned.
Restricted funds
Restricted fund balances represent resources whose use has been limited by external sources such as creditors (e.g., debt covenants), contributors, other governments, laws, constitutional provisions or enabling legislation.
Non-spendable
Non-spendable fund balances represent resources in a form that cannot be spent (e.g., inventories or prepaid expenditures) or are legally or contractually required to remain whole (e.g., permanent fund principal).
Committed
Committed fund balances represent resources that can only be used for specific purposes pursuant to constraints imposed by formal action of the government’s highest level of decision-making authority.Committed funds are internally limited by formal action of the government’s highest level of decision-making authority.
Assigned
Assigned fund balances are constrained by the government’s intent to be used for specific purposes, but are neither restricted nor committed.
Positive amount in unassigned
Unassigned fund balance is the residual classification for the general fund. This classification represents fund balance that has not been assigned to other funds and has not been restricted, committed or assigned to specific purposes within the general fund.
overspent its available resources
If expenditures incurred for specific purposes exceed the amounts restricted, committed or assigned to those purposes, it may be necessary to report a negative unassigned fund balance.
Invested in perpetuity
Permanent funds are used to report resources that are legally restricted to the extent income, and not principal, may be used for purposes supporting the reporting government’s programs for the benefit of the public. The library is to be supported by a gift endowment and the library is intended to support the needs of the general community, not a specifically identified individual.
Investment trust
Investment trust funds are used to account for external investment pools.
Special revenue
Special revenue funds account for revenues from specific taxes or other earmarked sources that (by law) are restricted or committed to finance particular activities of a government. Roy City is accounting for income from a gift that is not appropriate for accounting within a special revenue fund.
Private purpose
Private purpose trust funds are fiduciary relationships that do not meet the definition of a pension, agency or investment trust fund and are intended for the benefit of specific individuals, private organizations or other governments. The library to be benefitted by the endowment is for the general public, not specific private individuals.
paramount objective of financial reporting by state and local governments
Governmental (and not-for-profit) organization reporting is designed to demonstrate the accountability of each organization for the stewardship of the resources in their care. Governments do not measure net income or increase in wealth as businesses do, but are focused on providing efficient and effective delivery of services with public resources. Both operational and fiscal accountability are important to the financial reporting.
Not difference between government fund and goverment wide
The government-wide financial statements are presented using the economic resources measurement focus using the accrual basis of accounting, similar to commercial enterprises
How many funds should the accountant establish for the city?
the fund structure of a governmental entity and the number of funds used is a matter of judgment. The city accountant would set up the number of funds consistent with the legal requirements of the government to properly segregate funds and to ensure sound financial administration to properly safeguard assets.
Derived tax - get nothing in return
paying for something and getting a service
Rule: Derived (non-exchange) tax revenues represent taxes imposed on or derived from exchange transactions such as commercial sales (sales taxes).
Imposed non-exchange
Imposed non-exchange revenues represent taxes imposed on non-exchange transactions (such as fines) or wealth (such as property taxes).
Under modified accrual accounting, the issuing of a purchase order (commitment to purchase) is recorded for
Encumbrance
Budgetary control
Expenditures
Expenditure accounts are adjusted when obligations are incurred or paid and when accounts are closed at the end of a fiscal period.
Expenditures Vouchers payable or Expenditures Cash
Which event(s) is(are) supportive of interperiod equity as a financial reporting objective of a governmental unit?
A balanced budget demonstrates interperiod equity. Interperiod equity is a significant part of accountability on behalf of a governmental entity. It helps users assess whether current year revenues are sufficient to pay for the services provided that year and whether future taxpayers will be required to assume burdens for services previously provided. Residual equity transfers is an obsolete term included as a distracter
budgetary comparisons
Budgetary comparisons must be presented on the same basis of accounting as the adopted budget. In this instance, the preparation of the budget is on the cash basis so budgetary comparisons will be prepared on the cash basis. Budgetary comparison schedules should be accompanied by information (either in a separate schedule or in notes to RSI) that reconciles budgetary information to GAAP information.
Appropriations
budgetary control
appropriations
When the budget is recorded, the following entry is made:
Estimated revenues
Appropriations
Budgetary controls
Expenditures of governmental resources classification
Wages and salaries is an example of an object classification. This is the most specific classification in the hierarchy and represents the chart of accounts title. Expenditures of governmental resources should be classified by object classes, according to the type of items purchased or services obtained.
Program classification
Program classification groups activities, operations, or organizational units that are directed to the attainment of specific purposes or objectives.
function classification
Function classification groups related activities that are aimed at accomplishing a major service or regulatory responsibility.
activity classification
Activity classification provides data for calculating expenditures per unit of activity. An activity is a specific and distinguishable line of work performed by an organizational unit.
Expenditure allocation
Expenditures extending over more than one period may be allocated between or among accounting periods. Non spendable current resources such as inventory or prepaid may be recorded using either the consumption or the purchases method. Current assets of this character serve as the basis for classification of fund balance as non spendable.
estimated revenues
nly the $9,000,000 property taxes, licenses and fines are classified as Estimated Revenues. The $5,000,000 proceeds of debt issue and the $1,000,000 interfund transfer would be classified as Estimated Other Financing Sources in the budgetary entry.
encumbrances
The encumbrances outstanding at year-end are the $500,000 of remaining goods ordered but not yet received at year end. If the encumbrances do not lapse at year-end and are considered material, the aggregate amount is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.