Test 1 Flashcards
Anti-Deficiency Act
Officials can be fined or jailed if they obligate the government to spend funds beyond the legally authorized purpose, time or amount
Apportionment
OMB’s approval to use a portion of the legislatively approved budgetary authority
Appropriated budget
Budget that has been passed by the legislative branch; has effect of law
Appropriation
A legislative enactment that creates spending authority to incur expenses and spend money
Block grant
A formula grant that combines several service categories into one grant allowing maximum flexibility to use the funds to meet local needs (unlike a categorical grant)
Capital budget
Forecasts and controls spending for big ticket items acquired and used over several years such as construction projects and major equipment purchases
Capital lease
A lease of real property meeting defined criteria requiring the government to report the property as if it were purchased with the proceeds of long term debt
Cash-flow budget
Used to project the timing and amount of cash flows for a period of time
Categorical grant
A formula grant that can be used only for a narrowly defined purpose (unlike a block grant)
Central management agencies
Provide central management services to other components. An example would be a Human Resources office or Office of Management and Budget
Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR)
AGA program that helps agencies produce effective high quality performance and accountability reports and agency financial reports
Certificate of participation
Form of shared government financing where typically several financial institutions share in a loan arrangement with a government entity
Charter
Local government form of a constitution. States may provide for the establishment of local governments through charters.
Checks and balances
Flows from separation of powers. One branch of government can constrain actions of the other branches.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Act
1990 law that requires major executive branch agencies to have a CFO that prescribes duties and reporting requirements and requires audited financial statements
Commission
Government component established by law (permanent or temporary) that may have greater autonomy and authority than administratively established government components. Example is the Federal Communications Commission.
Component
Organized unit of government such as an agency, office or department found in all branches of government at all levels. Example is that the Fish and Wildlife Service is a component of the US Department of the Interior.
CAFR
Financial report that includes an MD&A, basic financial statements, footnotes, and RSI as well as an introductory section and additional financial information and a statistical section
Conflict of interest
When one has a personal interest in matters relating to official duties or activities. Such conflicts can destroy objectivity and independence and prevent the exercise of due care.
Consumption tax
A broad category tax that includes sales, use, excise and value-added taxes
Continuity of operations
Efforts to ensure the organization can sustain essential operations, regardless of planned or unplanned incidents or disruptions
Covenant (bond)
Legal requirements pertaining to a specific bond issue defining the maturity date, revenue stream used to repay the debt, interest rate, and repayment schedule. May require a sinking fund and may specify conditions that must be met while the bonds are outstanding and/or before new debt can be used.
Credit-rating agency
Independent organization that assesses the credit worthiness of a borrower. Three major rating agencies are Standard & Poors, Moody’s Investor Service and Fitch Ratings
Data mining
Using special computer-based techniques to extract meaningful information from large bodies of data
Debt
Money owed by the entity usually as a result of planned borrowing to finance government objectives
Dedicated collections
Taxes levied or other revenues collected to finance a specific activity. Proceeds are deposited into an account restricted to that activity. Also referred to as earmarked or restricted taxes
Deficit
Occurs when government expenditures for a specific fiscal period exceed revenues or other financial resource inflows
Diligence
Pursuing an event, action or assignment to a timely and sufficient end or close
Discretionary grant
Is a Project grant
Donation
Voluntary construction that confers no rights or benefits to the giver
Due care
To discharge professional responsibilities with competence and diligence, to the best of one’s ability, and with the same level of ability and skill as others in similar positions. It also means to act in the best interest of those served.
Earmarking
Revenue from specific taxes or other sources set aside for specific activities. Also called Dedicated Collections.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
Major end-to-end computer system that links many functions and departments. Used to simplify and streamline financial management, and to integrate operations with financial management.
Estate tax
Form of wealth tax. Levied on estate of the deceased person before their assets are distributed to heirs.
Ethics
A complex system of discipline that civilized societies impose on themselves through laws, customs, social etiquette, to govern moral conduct
Excise tax
Form of consumption tax. Levied on the consumption of a particular type of good or participation in a certain type of activity. Whereas general sales taxes are broad-based, excise taxes are more narrowly targeted.
Executive order
Order issued by the president, governor, or local chief of staff that does not violate laws or statutes, and had a substantial impact on policy and procedures of government. Carries less weight than a law because it can be overturned.
Fair
Free from self-interest, prejudice or favoritism. Implies an elimination of one’s own feelings, prejudices and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting interests.
Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB)
Defined GAAP for entities of the federal government
Federalism
Government authority and responsibility is shared among different levels of government