...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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...Roles of GASB and FASB GASB works to create standards for accounting of state and local governments by determining what pieces of data are necessary to provide useful information to citizens. FASB creates standards for all business and government entities to follow. GASB monitors government entities and sets the standards for local and state governments, while FASB works to help investors and creditors make decisions from the rules regulating the accounting standards of private entities. GASB helps to identify how accounting should be handled for receipts of funds that come from donations, grants, penalties, fines, and taxes. Funds received through business practices would need to be classified under GASB and FASB in government sectors, but if in a private entity it is only required to follow FASB. There are many differences between the GASB and the FASB as to which statements must be used, and for what reasons. As for the GASB a statement of net assets is used in exchange for the FASB’s balance sheet. A similar report called the statement of financial position is available for use by FASB but is not required. Net assets can be recognized under FASB as unrestricted, temporarily restricted, or permanently restricted, while GASB also uses unrestricted and “restricted or invested in capital assets, net of related debt” (GASB). The two boards work hand in hand to make sure that rules are established and updated and standardized for business, government, and non-profits....
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...GASB and FASB Analysis The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) each contain an imperative position in the domain of accounting. Persons who desire to retain a career in accounting are compel to acquire a profound understanding of both standards boards. Accordingly, the pursuing analysis will elucidate the objectives for the GASB and FASB as well as illuminate the similarities and differences among the two standards boards. In addition, the assessment will depict by which the modified accrual basis of accounting divaricates from full accrual accounting. The GASB aims to formulate and enhance principles of state and local governmental accounting and monetary reporting. Thus will bring about beneficial information of financial documents for users as well as lead and teach the civic, which comprises issuers, auditors, and users of financial reports (Governmental Accounting Standards Board [GASB], n.d.). GASB goals of responsibility are interperiod equity, spending and financial submission, and service endeavors and achievements through evaluating financial system (economy), productiveness, and efficacy. The FASB’s ambition is to formulate and enhance guidelines of financial accounting and reporting, which promote financial reporting by nongovernmental (private sector and not-for-profits) establishments that supplies ruling-constructive information to shareholders and additional persons making use of financial reports...
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...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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...Reporting and Standard Setting by the SEC, FASB, IASB, and, GASB Abstract In the accounting industry there are different organizations that have been established to design, implement, and oversee accounting standards and financial presentation processes. Such organizations include the Securities Exchange Commission, SEC, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, FASB, the International Accounting Standards Board, IASB, and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, GASB. Each of these organizations works closely with the others to attempt to provide the accounting industry with a similar, if not identical, set of accounting standards that align with those of the U.S. GAAP – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and IFRS – International Financial Reporting Standards. The strengths and weaknesses of these organizations identify their similarities and differences and enable the organizations to continue to grow with the finance and accounting industries. In the accounting industry there are several different organizations specifically designed to set, maintain, and regulate accounting standards and financial statement presentation. Among these organizations are the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, or GASB. Each organization was established to carry...
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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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...Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting: Theory and Practice, 10e (Freeman) Chapter 1 Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting—Environment and Characteristics 1. Which of the following would not be considered a government or nonprofit organization? A. A software company that sells software exclusively to state and local governments. B. A public elementary school. C. A church. D. A private trust organized for charitable purposes. (Answer: A; Easy; LO1) 2. Which of the following activities would most likely be accounted for as a business-type activity? A. Fire protection. B. Recreation. C. Water operations. D. Street maintenance. (Answer: C; Moderate; LO1) 3. Prior to the creation of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board in 1984, which of the following organizations had the greatest influence over accounting concepts, principles, and standards for the state and local governments? A. The 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...
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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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...owners/stockholder/investors. The stakeholders of a public organization are the taxpayers and general public being served. The budget in the private sector is flexible, depending on revenues and directors. The budget within a public organization is typically not flexible and has to be followed exactly. 1-3. Identify and briefly describe the three organizations that set standards for state and local governments, the federal government, and nongovernmental not-for-profit organizations. FASAB: Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board provides accounting standards for congressional oversight groups, executive agencies, and other users of federal financial information. FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board provides standards within the private that govern the preparation of financial reports by nongovernmental entities GASB:...
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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 1 Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting: ENVIRONMENT AND CHARACTERISTICS ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS QUESTION 1-1 a. The similarities of accounting for profit-seeking and G&NP organizations include: 1. Double-entry system of accounts. 2. Most accounting mechanics, e.g., basic transaction documents, journals, ledgers, charts of accounts. 3. Where a G&NP organization has a business-type activity, e.g., a municipal electric utility, the accounting largely parallels that for a similar private business (e.g., electric utility). b. Among the unique aspects of G&NP organization accounting are: 1. Fund accounting—designed to separate resources according to the purposes for which they may be used and to account for their uses and balances. 2. Budgetary control techniques—to help assure appropriations are not overexpended and all resources due the G&NP organization are received by it. Question 1-2 a. A fund of a government organization is an independent fiscal and accounting entity. Each fund has a separate self-balancing set of accounts in which are recorded the resources segregated for specific purposes, the related liabilities and residual equity (fund balance or net assets), and the changes therein. Financial statements typically must be presented to report the financial position and operating activities of a fund of a government. b. As the term is generally used in commercial accounting, a "fund" merely indicates that a portion...
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...by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and enforced by several other agencies. This paper will discuss some of these regulatory bodies and how a company must comply with these agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other regulatory bodies set accounting standards and requirements for accounting reporting frequency and presentation. The SEC was created in during the great depression in 1934 following the stock market crash in 1929.The SEC was initially created to regulate the stock market and prevent large corporations from abusing the sale and reporting of stocks. The SEC enforces seven major laws that govern the trading industry: the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and most recently, the Credit Rating Agency Reform Act of 2006 (Wikipedia, 2009). Another regulatory body whose primary purpose is to develop the generally accepted accounting principles is the FASB. The FASB is a private not-for-profit organization and was designated by the SEC to create and enforce the rules and regulations of the GAAP. The...
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...“Accounting – the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information to permit informed judgements and decisions by users of the information.” (Warren, Reeve, & Fess, 1999, p. 5). Accounting, as so many other occupations has a rich history behind it, as well as it’s own language. Throughout this rich history it is clear to see that certain organizations relating to the accounting profession have made significant strives to improve the reliability and accuracy of what is reported. These organizations ensure that there is a framework for standards which accountants use in today’s world to speak this common language of business. The organizations, which have provided this framework, are the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Accounting Standards Board, Government Accounting Standards Board, and International Accounting Standards Committee. Each organization plays a major role in defining rules and guidelines to ensure uniformity throughout the profession. One such organization is the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The history of this organization dates back to 1887, when the American Association of Public Accountants was formed. In 1916, the American Association was succeeded by the Institute of Public Accountants. In 1957, the name was finally changed to what we now know it as today, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. “The American...
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...ACC 430 Governmental Accounting (Online) Chapter 1 Questions 1-2. Identify and describe the five environmental differences between governments and for-profit business enterprises as identified in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s Why Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting Is-and Should be-Different. 1. Organizational Purposes-A governments organizational purpose is to provide public services for the well-being of citizens regardless of profit. Whereas a for-profit business’s organizational purpose is to generate a profit for the owner while providing services to the public. 2. Sources of Revenues-A for-profit business’s source of revenue is its net income (total revenues (sales)-total expenses). A government’s source of revenue is mainly from taxes. 3. Potential for Longevity-State and local governments rarely go out of business, because they are given the ability to tax. For this reason, governments view accounting operations on a long-term basis instead of short-term. Governments focus on maintaining services and how to meet future demands. 4. Relationship with Stakeholders-Since a Governments main source of revenue is taxes, which are paid by citizens; they are required to account for these public funds. Whereas a business can use its resources as it chooses. 5. Role of Budget-Business’s prepare a budget for planning and control purposes and are normally not provided to creditors or investors. Governments on the other...
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