ADVANCED ACCOUNTING >CUSTOM<
14th Edition
ISBN: 9781265537012
Author: Hoyle
Publisher: MCG CUSTOM
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Chapter 17, Problem 2Q
To determine
The accountants for a city government are attempting to determine the appropriate method of reporting a series of unique financial transactions. They have reviewed all of the authoritative sources of GAAP and have not located an answer. Explain what actions they should take next.
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The accountants for a city are attempting to determine the proper reporting for a new transaction so that the financial statements are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. No authoritative answer can be found. What should happen next?
The city will receive a qualified audit report on its financial statements.
The accountants can report the transaction in the way that they believe is best.
The accountants should study other nonauthoritative sources such as GASB Concepts Statements and the official standards produced by FASB.
The city will separate the transaction and report it separately in such a way as to draw attention to the method of reporting that was followed.
The accountants for a city are attempting to determine the proper reporting for a new transaction so that the financial statements are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. No authoritative answer can be found. What should happen next? Choose the correct.a. The city will receive a qualified audit report on its financial statements.b. The accountants can report the transaction in the way that they believe is best.c. The accountants should study other nonauthoritative sources such as GASB Concepts Statements and the official standards produced by FASB.d. The city will separate the transaction and report it separately in such a way as to draw attention to the method of reporting that was followed.
Obtain a copy of The State of New Jersey's recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This may commonly be obtained online. It would be best, but not absolutely necessary, to use a CAFR that has a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. Answer the following questions related to your CAFR.
(A) What are the inclusive dates of the fiscal year?
(B) Identify the name and address of the independent auditor. Is the auditor's opinion unmodified? If not, describe the modification. Is the opinion limited to the basic financial statements, or does the opinion include combining and individual fund statements?
(C) Does the report contain an organization chart? A table of contents? A list of principal officials? A letter of transmittal? Is the letter of transmittal dated and signed by the chief financial officer? List the major items of discussion in the letter of transmittal.
(D) Does the report include a Management's Discussion…
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- IS IT AN ASSET OR A LIABILITY? During the long evolution of government accounting, many scholars have discussed its unique features. In the August 1989 issue of the Journal of Accountancy, R. K. Mautz described the reporting needs of governments and not-for-profit organizations (such as charities) in his essay “Not-For-Profit Financial Reporting: Another View.” To illustrate the governmental accounting challenges, Mautz examined the method by which a city should record a newly constructed high school building. Conventional business wisdom would say that such a property is an asset owned by the government. Thus, the cost should be capitalized and then depreciated over an estimated useful life. However, Mautz pointed to paragraph 26 of FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, which asserted that an essential characteristic of an asset is “a probable future benefit . . . to contribute directly or indirectly to future net cash inflows.” Mautz reasoned that the school building cannot be considered an…arrow_forwardCity government officials are analyzing a complicated financial transaction. A GASB Implementation Guide seems to provide one reporting answer and a GASB Concepts Statement seems to provide a different answer. What reporting is most appropriate? Choose the correct.a. The government can use either method and still be in conformity with GAAP.b. Government officials should follow the guidance provided by the GASB Implementation Guide.c. The city’s financial statements must be in conformity with the GASB Concepts Statement.d. The city’s accountants should seek some type of compromise that takes both of these pronouncements into consideration.arrow_forwardWhat databases are appropriate for government accounting?arrow_forward
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