The use of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) by all state and local governments may require legislation. Findings from a survey of states to get data on current accounting and financial reporting practices are summarized. Model legislation to provide uniformity in accounting and reporting is presented. (MLF)

The Government Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 16 is concerned with the measurement of the liability for compensated absences. The pronouncement provides separate guidance for vacation leave and sick leave and deals with a variety of related issues, such as salary-related payments, rates, sabbaticals, and measurability. (MLF)

California's official school accounting procedures, amended in 1984 to clarify definitions and improve program cost accounting, are presented. Following an introduction that discusses general characteristics of school accounting, the manual explains the following areas of accounting practice: (1) financial reporting; (2) income; (3) expenditures;…

The purpose of this manual is to improve and clarify the system of student accounting used in Oregon public schools. Student accounting in Oregon should yield accurate demographic assessments of students at the local school and program level that will in turn provide cumulative data at the district, state, and federal levels. The manual reviews…

This report provides comments from the General Accounting Office (GAO) on recommendations contained in the National Performance Review's (NPR) September 7, 1993, report which addressed ways to make the government work better and cost less. Generally, the GAO agrees with most of the NPR's recommendations and believes that successful implementation…

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) program for regulating domestic telecommunications common carriers is assessed in this report, and several recommendations are made to the Congress and the FCC for improving the regulatory framework provided by the Communications Act of 1934. A digest of the report and a review of the nation's…

Three recent cases involving disposal of school board-owned property illustrate the need to involve legal counsel to help insure against costly litigation. (MLF)

Information on depreciation concepts, accounting procedures, and reporting formats in not-for-profit institutions is provided. Details are included on the requirements and implications of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards no. 93 (FASB 93). Following highlights of FASB 93, an overview looks at…

This report organizes the information provided by 71 individuals in finance-related occupations in 11 states into skills inventories for persons in these jobs. The skills inventories contain the following sections: (1) occupation-specific knowledge (communication, mathematics, science); (2) workplace behaviors (work ethics, interpersonal…

This testimony summarizes in four propositions results from a review of recent estimates of the net federal, state, or local costs of immigration and is designed to explore why these cost estimates vary so widely and how to develop more credible cost estimates. First, the testimony proposes that various studies of the cost of immigration agree…

A review of cases involving higher education property matters shows that many are concerned with building construction, equipment installation, or repair contracts. A number of other cases involve routine conflicts between colleges or universities and other governmental entities over matters such as requests for special exceptions to zoning…

The laws, rules and regulations of the State Education Department governing public accountancy practice in New York State are provided in this handbook. Licensure requirements are also described, and the forms for obtaining a license and first registration as a certified public accountant are provided. The booklet is divided into the following…

This study examines the Illinois General Assembly's role in state finance and focuses on how the legislature can best control the scope and limits of state finance. The report is divided into four sections. The first section introduces the language of the appropriations process and the techniques of control applied to that process. The second…

Discusses changes in the accounting requirements for nonprofit organizations resulting from the implementation of two Statements of Financial Accounting Standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Examines changes in recording transactions, ascertaining the correct way to record donations or unconditional promises for donations,…

A number of cases related to property issues involving institutions of higher education are examined in this chapter. Cases discussed touch on such topics as funding for property and equipment acquisition; opposition to building construction or demolition; zoning issues; building construction and equipment contracts; and lease agreements. Current…