...facts that may lead to public debate. Furthermore, GASB established two additional objectives stating that “financial reporting should assist users in evaluating the operating results of the government entity for the year… and assist users in assessing the level of services that can be provided by the government entity and its ability to meet its obligations as they become due” (Granof & Khumawala, 2011). The FASB emphasizes that its objective is focused on financial reporting to users who authority to prescribe the information they want and users relying on the information management communicates to them to make economic decisions (Copley & Engstrom, 2007). The FASB stresses the objective of financial reporting is to provide information to present and potential resource providers in making rational decisions about the allocation of resources and its ability to provide services. Additionally, the FASB objectives state financial reporting should provide information in assessing how managers have performed, the entity’s economic resources, obligations, and net resources, and the effects of transactions, events, and circumstances that affect resources. Objectives for both the GASB and FASB are similar in many ways, both work together, along with the FASAB, to adopt regulations for GAAP, and both were created by the FAF for the standard setting process. However, the primary difference is how budgetary compliance is viewed. GASB views budgetary compliance as law, the most important...
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...Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Analysis Paper Accountants or individuals, who put the financial statements together, need the knowledge of the two different accounting standards board. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) differ from each other and are similar in different ways and individuals need knowledge of the differences and similarities. GASB and FASB allow use of the modified accrual basis of accounting or the full accrual accounting for government and not-for-profit organizations. Knowing the differences between the two methods and the meaning are important. GASB and FASB Similarities GASB and FASB accounting are sets of objectives that proprietorship, government, and not-for-profit organizations follow in preparing financial statements. According to Weygandt (2008, p. 17) “both the GASB and the FASB have established objectives that circumscribe the functions of financial reports.” GASB and FASB objectives show whether a company is making enough profit to pay for expenses throughout the year, allows investors information to decide whether to invest or not, and how well the company budget complied throughout the year. Also, the two accounting standard boards show whether management is complying with all aspects of the objectives. GASB and FASB accounting have differences that individuals need knowledge about to prepare financial statements...
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...CAFR BUDGET ANALYSIS 2 CAFR Budget Analysis The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) serve similar functions for different accounting entities. The GASB maintains accountability over state and local governments, while the FASB maintains adherence to standards for not-for-profit entities. Both governments and not-for-profit organizations use an expenditure approach to accounting where budgetary needs are the first priority over financial statements. Governments however, have additional reporting items that fall within the purview of the power to summon resources. Governments and not-for-profit entities have a different business model than that of for-profit organizations, because governments and not-for-profit entities primary business goal is something other than profit. Governments differentiate themselves from not-for-profit entities by the ability to use taxes, licenses, and legislature as a means to levy revenue to pay for expenses. Not-for-profit organizations primarily use grants, investments, and contracts to earn revenue (Copley & Engstrom, 2007). Modified Accrual Method Since governments and not-for-profit organizations use a different business model than traditional businesses, a modified accrual method is used to account for assets, liabilities, and capital. The GASB and FASB allow for the creation of individual accounting entities called funds that track the funding and expenses for that entity. Each...
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...towns, and public schools that receive tax revenue to finance the services they provide. True False 3. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the body authorized to establish accounting principles for all state and local governments, both general purpose and special purpose. True False 4. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the body authorized to establish accounting principles for all government entities. True False 5. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is the body authorized to establish accounting principles for all colleges and universities and health care entities. True False 6. Neither governmental nor not-for-profit entities have residual equity that can be distributed to owners. True False 7. A characteristic common to governmental and not-for-profit organizations is that they do not exist to provide goods or services at a profit or profit equivalent. True False 8. The needs of users of government financial reports are the same as those of users of business entity financial reports. True False 9. The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) recommends accounting principles and standards for the federal government and its agencies and departments. True False 10. The FASB, GASB, and FASAB identify primarily external users as the focus of their financial reports. True False 11. Interperiod equity refers to the concept that...
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...National Council on Governmental Accounting (NCGA) B. The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). C. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). D. The Comptroller General of the United States. (Answer: A; Moderate; LO1) 4. Which of the following is considered a health and welfare organization? A. Secondary schools. B. Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). C. Child protection agencies. D. United Way. (Answer: C; Easy; LO2) 5. Which of the following characteristics best distinguishes a government entity from a business entity? A. Governments operate in a very small section of the economy while businesses operate globally. B. Cost analysis and other control and evaluation techniques are essential to ensure that resources are used economically and efficiently. C. Those contributing resources to the entity do not...
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...FASB and GASB Analysis Paper ACC/460 Carolyn S. Lundy 5/14/2012 Victoria Holmes The FASB and GASB share something’s in common but they function very differently. Their similarities include both operating as a component of the FAF. The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) is the organization that has over sight over the FASB, GASB, FASAC and GASAC. Under each of their standards, they both have to look over all letters, comments and concerns before making any decisions and in some cases can be made available to the public. Here is where they differ, the FASB has the authority to make and set any new accounting standards to be put in place, which will be recognized by the Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC). The GASB standards are not recognized to be any formal law or ruling, but its standards can be enforced by the individual states that choose the right to. The GASB is solely public and there is unlimited access. In fact, the GASB encourages the public to become heavily involved in their meetings. You can find some records of what will be discussed through the GASB website on the say the meeting will take place. The FASB reports all nongovernment information that will help private entities make the correct accounting decisions. Under the respective standard process, the FASB houses 7 rules that must be in place, the most important seemingly to be that the Board cares and puts the issues of the stakeholders/shareholders first. As with the GASB, they send those to...
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...report and answer to the citizens, and by doing this the governments need to justify the raising of public resources and the purposes for which the resources raised are used. There are three different governing boards that establish accounting principles, standards and rules on how to recognize and report accounting related transactions. There is the FASAB, which stands for Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board. This is the board that establishes accounting principles and standards for reporting for the federal government. When it comes to local and state governments, the authority or the board that dictates the accounting related principles and rules is GASB. GASB stands for Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Last, but not least there is FASB, which stands for Financial Accounting Standards Board. FASB dictates principles of accounting and standards for the private sector, and the...
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...Chapter 18 1. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) sets accounting standards used by private not-for-profit colleges and universities. 2. Current and potential contributors and other interested parties want to know how financially stable these organizations are and how they use the monies they receive. Future gifts or grants are often based, at least in part, on the organization’s ability to convince donors that it uses its resources wisely to accomplish state goals. Financial statements are vital to this objective because they report both the resources generated and the spending decisions that have been made. 3. The financial statements required for private not-for-profit colleges and universities are: A. The statement of financial position B. The statement of activities and changes in net assets C. The statement of cash flows 4. Temporarily restricted assets are those that may originally be restricted, however are not permanently restricted. When a temporary restriction (either time or usage) is fulfilled, that amount is reclassified as unrestricted at that time. May no longer be restricted because: -Money was appropriately expended for an expense as designated by the donor -Money was appropriately expended for an asset as designated by the donor -A donor restriction based on time was satisfied 5. Permanently restricted assets are those that may only be used for the reason designated by the donor. There is no time limit for when...
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...Chapter 1 The Government and Not-For-Profit Environment ------------------------------------------------- Questions for Review and Discussion 1. The critical distinction between for-profit businesses and not-for-profits including governments is that businesses have profit as their main motive whereas the others have service. A primary purpose of financial reporting is to report on an entity’s accomplishments — how well it achieved its objectives. Accordingly, the financial statements of businesses measure profitability, their key objective. Financial reports of governments and other not-for-profits should not focus on profitability, since it is not a relevant objective. Ideally, therefore, they should focus on other performance objectives, such as how well the organizations met their service goals. In reality, however, the goal of reporting on how well they have achieved such goals has proven difficult to attain and the financial reports have focused mainly on financially-related data. 2. Governments and not-for-profits are “governed” by the budget, whereas businesses are governed by the marketplace. The budget is the key political and fiscal document of governments and not-for-profits. It determines how an entity obtains its resources and how it allocates them. It encapsulates most key decisions of consequence made by the organization. In a government the budget is not merely a managerial document; it is the law. 3. Owing to the significance of the budget...
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...Most budgets are prepared on a cash or modified cash basis. 4. Neither the GASB nor the FASB sets standards for budgetary accounting. 5. State and local governments must prepare their GAAP budgetary comparisons on the modified accrual basis of accounting. 6. When budgets are integrated into a government’s accounting system, estimated revenues are debited. 7. Encumbrances and expenditures both reduce total fund balances of state and local governments. 8. Not-for-profit budgets focus first on revenues and secondarily on expenditures. 9. State and local governments’ budget-to-actual comparisons present both original and final budget amounts. 10. Cash-basis budgets help governments focus on interperiod equity. 11. Reserve for encumbrances accounts should be closed at year-end. 12. Capital budgets concentrate on long-lived assets Chapter 12 1. FASB Statement No. 117 directs that revenues and expenses be reported in a statement of financial position. 2. In the statement of activities, FASB Statement No. 117 requires revenues to be reported as increases in one of the three categories of net assets, depending on donor-imposed restrictions; however, all expenses should be reported as decreases in unrestricted net assets. 3. Restricted contributions may be reported as unrestricted if the restriction has been met in the same period as the contribution is made. 4. FASB Statement No. 95 requires not-for-profits to use the direct method in their...
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...GASB and FASB Analysis Paper ACC/460 The Governmental Accounting Standards Board and the Financial Accounting Standards Boards were put in place to assist in regulating the private sector, federal, and state and local governments. These regulations that are in place are to hold he sector accountable for its accurate financial reporting and documentation. I ask how these two divisions differ in its objectives and how to they regulate each party it governs. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board oversees the federal, state, and local governments with the basis of accountability. With that the GASB holds the government accountable to the citizens it represents. This means the government entities must show its constituents the money being raised is going to exactly what it was claimed for. An example of this would be a raise in taxes to assist in making gasoline safer for the environment. The GASB has broken down this accountability into three sub-objectives, the first is interperiod equity. Interperiod equity is a means of financial reporting that determines if there is enough current year money to pay for the current year needs. It also explains whether or not individuals in need of certain governmental services were pushed to the taxpayers. The second sub-objective is budgetary and fiscal compliance meaning that this reporting explains where funds came from to take care of services needed by the citizens. The third and final us service effort costs and accomplishments...
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...ACC460( Government and Non-Profit Accounting )Complete Class Click This Link to Get The Tutorial: http://www.myhomeworkspot.com/ACC455-Corporate-Taxation-Complete-Class-002.htm Week 1 Individual Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Analysis Paper Prepare a 350- to 700-word paper comparing and contrasting GASB and FASB accounting. Explain the objectives of the two standards boards and how they are similar and different. Describe how the modified accrual basis of accounting differs from full accrual accounting. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Discussion Questions DQ 1 Log into http://www.charitynavigator.org/. Choose a good charity and a bad charity and explain why you feel they should labeled good or bad. DQ 2 What is fund accounting? How does it compare to proprietary accounting? Why is fund accounting necessary? What are the major fund types? DQ 3 What are some examples of government and not-for-profit organizations? How do businesses measure success? How do government organizations measure success? DQ 4 What is the purpose of CAFR? What are the components of CAFR? Why is the Federal Government not subject to GASB 34? How do government-wide financial statements add information not available in fund financial statements? Week 2 Individual Ch. 1, 2, & 3 Textbook Exercises Resources: Ch. 1, 2, & 3 of Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting Prepare written...
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...Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Introduction In the past, the financial statements of health care organizations’ were fairly easy to compare. Historically, members of the healthcare community had applied similar sets of accounting rules without regard to their business structure. This meant that whether an organization was a for-profit, nonprofit, or a government owned, every healthcare entity was considered to be in the same industry and the accounting procedures they were forced to follow were similar, thus increasing the level of comparability between organizations. However, today’s standard setting environment requires these similar organizations to apply different sets of accounting standards based of their business model. Resulting in similar transactions being accounted for differently and reducing the level of comparability between financial statements. This has led to the need and implementations of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, are a framework of accounting standards, rules and procedures defined by the professional accounting industry, which have been adopted by nearly all publicly traded companies in the United States, and allow for the recording and reporting of financial information in a uniform manner (Investing Answers, 2015). The benefit to companies using GAAP is that it makes it easier to compare the financial statements of different companies. GAAP aids in health care to establish...
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...Questions 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-8, and 1-10 1-3. The GASB has responsibility for setting accounting and reporting standards for both state and local governments and governmental not-for-profit organizations. The FASB has responsibility for setting accounting and reporting standards for business organizations and nongovernmental not-for-profit organizations. The FASAB has the responsibility of setting accounting and reporting standards for the agencies and departments of the federal government. 1-4. The museum’s accountant is wrong because the Fayette Rodeo Museum is a nongovernmental not-for-profit organization which means that it is independent of governments which means it can only follow FASB standards. Governmental not-for-profit organizations are the ones who follow the standards established the GASB. 1-5. Interperiod equity refers to the concept of measuring whether current year revenues are sufficient to pay for the services that provided in the current year. It is significant because it helps to assess whether future taxpayers will have to pay for the burdens that were previously provided. If revenues are not sufficient, then someone has to pay. 1-6. Operational accountability uses government-wide financial statements, along with those of proprietary funds and fiduciary funds. Fiscal accountability uses governmental fund financial statements. Operational accountability’s measurement focus is based on the flow of economic resources, while fiscal is based on the...
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...Financial Management Elements Planning, controlling, organizing and directing, and decision making are the four elements of financial management. The purpose of planning is for the financial manager to identify the objectives and identify the steps required to achieve those objectives. The purpose of controlling is for the financial manager to review and compare current reports against previous data to ensure the plans, set by the organization, are being followed properly and efficiently. The purpose of organizing and directing is for the financial manager to ensure effective resource use and provide daily supervision. Lastly, the purpose of decision making is for the financial manager to make informed choices through primary tasks of analysis and evaluation. These four elements of financial management are the key to leading a successful and profitable organization. Accounting Principles and Ethical Standards The generally accepted accounting principles, better known as GAAP, are the accounting rules used to prepare, present, and...
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