The Accounting Cycle for Governmental Funds and Account Groups

Homework for chapter V of Financial Reporting in Government
By Dr. John Sacco , George Mason University
Revised Wednesday, December 11, 1996

Introduction

The homework is divided into three main parts. You can start with part 1 or go to any of the parts via the buttons. Buttons for the three part are given below. Within the parts, there is also a button to get to the answers for the entire part. It is not possible to enter the anwers interactively on the screen. As a result you can try the questions as a pencil and paper effort or by using a spreadsheet and then checking the answers using the answer buttons. Alternatively, print out the entire file, do the question items and check the answers at the bottom of the print out.Future versions of this hypertext will include a technique called Frames which permits the user to view the question in one "frame" then jump to the answer in another frame.

At the end of each part is a button to return to the menu of homework parts.

Part 1. The cycle using the accounting equation

This initial part uses the accouting equation to go through the accounting cycle, just as was done in lesson 1 on Background and Definitions of chapter 5. If necessary just select the following button for the example of using the accounting equation in lesson 1.

For the part 1 homework assignment, the starting equation is given along with the transactions. Assume the problem is for the general fund and that the budget entries are skipped. Put in the correct values for each transaction and be sure the correct values are placed under the right element - asset, liability or fund balance. Remember that fund balance covers revenues and expenditures. Use a negative sign or a set of parentheses () for outflows or decreases. Do not worry about or bother to include encumbrances. Consider or try the problem using a spreadsheet.

? are placed where the answers would go and the answers are given for the entire set of problems in part 1 via this answer button and the one at the end of part 1. In some case the first problem is solved in order to show the format.

In this first problem, the beginning equation is given for the general fund. The unit has assets of $7,000 and that is balanced by liabilities of $3,500 and fund balance of $3,500. The fund would appear to be in decent condition. What happens at the period transpires?

For subsequent equations (transactions), although three question marks (?) are presented, not all three need to be filled. Most if not all transaction require only two entries. Although filling in the equations is mechanical the transactions are determining the success and conditions of the fund.

Beginning equation and conditions:
       A        =        L        +       FB
    7000              3500              3500

Transactions:

1.a. The fund collects $5000 in sales tax.
       A        =        L        +       FB
       ?                 ?                 ?
1.b. In accord with the authorization, the fund pays $4000 in salaries

       A        =        L        +       FB
       ?                 ?                ?
1.c The fund collects $10000 in property tax.
       A        =        L        +       FB
       ?                 ?                 ?
1.d. The fund pays $2000 of the $3500 it owed as shown in the initial equation.

  A        =          L        +       FB
  ?                   ?                 ?
1.e. Using the proper authorization, the fund buys all its supplies for $2000 and will pay in 15 days.

  A        =          L        +       FB
  ?                   ?                 ?
                       
1.f. The bill for the supplies is paid.
  A        =          L        +       FB
  ?                   ?                 ?
1.g. Give the correct values for the ending equation
       A        =        L        +       FB
       ?                 ?                 ?
1.h. Discuss whether the fund is better or worse off financially than when it started. In your discussion of why you think the fund is better or worse off offer details drawn from the transactions. Remember that the words financial success and conditions are important to judging whether fund is better or worse off.

Answers for part 1.

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Go back to part 1.

Part 2. A guided, fill in the blank cycle using journal entries

This part requires the use of debits and credits style of journal entries instead of use of the accounting equation to go through the accounting cycle. Howerver, the problem is laid out in what might called a guided problem. For each transaction several hints are given in the form of partial completion of the journal entry.

Simple journal entries can be reviewed in lesson 1 of this chapter 5. Here is an example of the guided problem. Correctly fill in the missing element, i.e., whereever there is a ? put the answer in its place. In some cases an explanation is given for the answer.

The fund collects $10,000 in fees.
                  dr       cr
cash               ?
         ?                  ?
answer:
cash                 10000
         revenue - fees       10000
In this case the debit account is given, i.e., cash, but it is necessary to fill in the debit amount, the credit account, and the credit amount.

For answers to Part 2 use this button.

Actual problem: Assume this is a special revenue fund with zeros in all the starting balances. The budget authorization is given below.

The legislature approves $500,000 in revenues with $300,000 coming from property tax and $200,000 from fees. Since this is a special revenue fund, both these revenues are earmarked for the fund. It also allows for spending of an amount equal to incoming revenue with $250,000 for salaries and $250,000 for supplies.

The following are all the decisions and transactions that require journalizing. This initial one is to enter the authorization into the budgetary accounts. One debit account is given but one is missing. The same for the credits. None of the amounts are given.

2.a.
                                    dr       cr
estimated revenue - property tax    ?
?                                   ?
         appropriations - salaries           ?
         ?                                   ?
Hint: Notice that since estimated revenues equal appropriations there is no fund balance or to be technically correct no budgetary fund balance.

2.b.
The fund administrator accrues all the property tax.
                                   dr       cr
property tax receivable             ?
         revenue - property tax              ?

2.c.
The fund collects all the property tax.
cash                                ?
         ?                                   ?
Hint: The asset cash is debited since cash is increased while the asset property tax receivable is credited since it is decreased, ie, it is no longer an asset -- the receivable was collected.

2.d.
The fund manager invests   $100,000 in a short term investment
account that will pay          $500 interest.

short term investment               ?
                  ?                    $100,000
2.e.
The fund pays 1/2 of the salaries.
salaries expenditure       $125,000
         cash                            ?
2.f. The financial institution offering the short term investment to the fund notifies the fund manager that the investment has matured and that both the originial principal and interest were credited to the fund's cash account.

?                          $100,500
         revenue- interest              $500
         ?                                 ?
Hint: The asset cash increases so it is debited. Any increase in fund balance merits a credit; thus since revneue - interest is part of fund balance it is credited since the revenue increased. The asset, short term investment, is now removed since the original cash was returned.

2.g. The fund collects all but 500 of the fees expected.
                          dr            cr
cash                       ?
         revenue - fees             $199,500
Hint: The fund simply did not collect the entire 200000 in fees that it expected. Since the original was an estimate some variance is expected.

2.h. Fund managers order all supplies
                                 dr       cr
encumbrance - supplies            ?
         ?                             $250,000
2.i. The supplies arrive and the invoice (payable in 15 days) is for
the exact amount encumbered. Assume that the supplies were paid
for on time and before the end of the period.
                                                dr       cr
reserve for encumbrance                          ?
         ?                                             $250,000

supplies expenditure                         $250,000
         ?                                                ?

vouchers payable                                  ?
         cash                                             ?
Hint: Recall that governments often go through a careful process to make sure that expenditures are properly approved and enough money is available to pay for those expenditures.

2.j. The other 1/2 of the salary expenditure is paid.
?                          $125,000
         cash                       ?
2.k. The preclosing trial balance shows:

                                 dr           cr
cash                              0
investments                       0
accounts payable                              0
reserve for encumbrance           0
revenue- property tax                     300000
revenue- fees                             199500
revenue- interest                            500
expenditures- salaries       250000
expenditures- supplies       250000

total                             ?        ?
2.l. Do a statement of revenues and expenditures --
actual and budget.
The format for this budget v. actual statement can be reviewed by going to lesson 3 in chapter 2.

   Statement of revenues and expenditures
            Special Revenue Fund
         for the period ended 12/31/x0

                           Actual   Budget   Variance
?                          ?             ?       ?
Hint:
   Statement of revenues and expenditures
            Special Revenue Fund
         for the period ended 12/31/x0

                           Actual   Budget   Variance 
Revenue:                                     negative or () unfavorable
property tax 
fees         
interest     
 total revenue 

Expenditures
salary         
supplies       
 total expenditures

Excess(deficiency)
of revenues over
(under) expenditures            0        0        0
This situation, were almost every actual is equal the budgeted in unlikely to occur in practice, but doing the statement provides practice with the format.

Complete the closing entries:

dr cr Closing entries: revenue- property ? revenue- fees ? revenue- interest ? appropriations - salary ? ? ? expenditures - salaries ? ? ? est revenue - property tax 300000 ? ?

Hint: Notice there is no fund balance since the budgetary and actual entries equalled each other on the inflow and outflow sides.

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Answers for part 2.

Go back to part 2.

Part 3. Explore computers for the accounting cycle

Do either of these assignments, A or B.

Answers for part 3.

A) Assume you are part of a team that will add a vouchers
payable package to the current software. Design what this
module might look like considering these items:

What items should go on the data entry screen and
how should the data entry screen look?

What database items should be included for vouchers
payable? Give chart of account codes to three items.

B) Contact a local government and find what software
they use for their governmental accounting.

Describe any one of the modules, the data entry screens,
and the database items for that module. Also, what are
the chart of account codes used for three of the items?
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Answers for part 3.

Answers to the Homework Questions

 Answers to part 1.

1.a. The fund collects $5000 in sales tax. 
       A        =        L        +       FB
       ?                 ?                 ?

       A        =        L        +       FB
    5000                                5000
1.b.In accord with the authorization, the fund pays          $4000
in salaries
       A        =        L        +       FB
       ?                    ?                  ?
    -4000                               -4000
1.cThe fund collects   $10000 in property tax.
       A        =        L        +       FB
       ?                   ?                  ?
   10000                               10000
                                                                  
1.dThe fund pays         $2000 of the       $3500 it owed
as shown in the initial equation.
  A        =          L        +       FB
    ?                    ?                  ?
-2000             -2000
1.e Using the proper authorization, the fund buys all its supplies
for         $2000 and will pay in 15 days.
  A        =          L        +       FB
                         ?                 ?
                     12000            -12000
1.f. The bill for the supplies is paid.
  A        =          L        +       FB
    ?                   ?
-12000            -12000
1.g. Give the correct values for the ending equation
       A        =        L        +       FB
       ?                 ?                 ?
    4000              1500              2500
1.h. Discuss whether the fund is better or worse off financially than when it started. In your discussion of why you think the fund is better or worse off offer details drawn from the transactions. Remember that the words financial {success} and {conditions} are important to judging whether fund is better or worse off.

Answer: Since there is a positive fund balance in both the beginning and ending equation, the fund is in good condition at both points. The ratio of assets to liabilities can also be examined to make judgments about the two states of the fund. At the beginning the ratio of assets to liabilities was 2 Now is it 2.67 Thus, while all values, including fund balance, have fallen the fund has a better cushion of assets to liabilities. In addition the fund was able to pay 2000 of liabilities owed from last period with revenues collected this period suggesting that either its revenue situation was strong or current expenditures were cut. Which is the case may be revealed with further analysis. In general, conditions, or ability to pay debt, seem to be good by these various accounts. The analysis for sucess, that is, revenues over expenditures, gives a slightly different picture than those for conditions. In all, the fund collected 15000 in revenues and paid 16000 which suggests that something other than strong revenue collection produced the good financial conditions. In other words, the fund collected 1000 less in revenues than it laid out in expenditures. It seems, then that the good conditions are a carry over from the large amount of assets the fund had at the start of the cycle. Thus prudent administration would suggest that the fund take care in the future by balancing expenditures with revenues. Otherwise the lack of success in operations (more expenditures than revenue) will cause a deterioration in conditions (assets compared to liabilities).

Return to question 1.

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Answers to part 2

Actual problem: Assume this is a special revenue fund with zeros in all the starting balances. The budget authorization is given below.

The legislature approves $500,000 in revenues with $300,000 coming from property tax and $200,000 from fees. Since this is a special revenue fund, both these revenues are {earmarked} for the fund. It also allows for spending of an amount equal to incoming revenue with $250,000 for salaries and $250,000 for supplies.

The following are all the decisions and transactions that require journalizing. This initial one is to enter the authorization into the budgetary accounts. One debit account is given but one is missing. The same for the credits. None of the amounts are given.

2.a.
                                    dr       cr
estimated revenue - property tax    ?
?                                   ?
         appropriations - salaries           ?
         ?                                   ?
answer:
estimated revenue - property tax      300000
estimated revenue - fees              200000
         appropriations - salaries             250000
         appropriations - supplies             250000
Notice that since estimated revenues equal appropriations there is no fund balance or to be technically correct no budgetary fund balance.

2.b.
The fund administrator accrues all the property tax.
property tax receivable             ?
         revenue - property tax              ?
answer:
property tax receivable               300000
         revenue - property tax                300000
 2.c.
The fund collects all the property tax.
cash                                ?
         ?                                   ?
answer:
cash                                  300000
         property tax receivable               300000
The asset cash is debited since cash is increased while the asset property tax receivable is credited since it is decreased, ie, it is no longer an asset -- the receivable was collected.

2.d.
The fund manager invests   $100,000 in a short term investment
account that will pay          $500 interest.

short term investment               ?
                  ?                 $100,000
answer:
short term investment                100,000
         cash                                 100,000
2.e.
The fund pays 1/2 of the salaries.
salaries expenditure       $125,000
         cash                            ?
answer:
salaries expenditure                  125000
         cash                                       125000
2.f. The financial institution offering the short term investment to the fund notifies the fund manager that the investment has matured and that both the originial principal and interest were credited to the funds cash account

?                          $100,500
         revenue- interest              $500
         ?                                        ?
answer:
cash                                  100500
         revenue- interest                        500
         short term investment                 100000
The asset cash increases so it is debited. Any increase in fund balance merits a credit; thus since revneue - interest is part of fund balance it is credited since the revenue increased. The asset, short term investment, is now removed since the original cash was returned.

2.g. The fund collects all but 500 of the fees expected.
cash                       ?
         revenue - fees             $199,500
answer:
cash                                  199500
         revenue - fees                        199500
The fund simply did not collect the entire 200000 in fees that it expected. Since the original was an estimate some variance is expected.

2.h. Fund managers order all supplies
                                 dr       cr
encumbrance - supplies              ?
         ?                          $250,000
answer:
encumbrance - supplies                250000
         reserve for encumbance                250000
2.i. The supplies arrive and the invoice (payable in 15 days) is for
the exact amount encumbered. Assume that the supplies were paid
for on time and before the end of the period.
                                                dr       cr
reserve for encumbrance             ?
         ?                                             $250,000

supplies expenditure         $250,000
         ?                                                ?

vouchers payable                  ?
         cash                                            ?
answer:
reserve for encumbrance               250000
         encumbrance - supplies                250000

supplies expenditure                  250000
         vouchers payable                      250000

vouchers payable                      250000
         cash                                        250000
Recall that governments often go through a careful process to make sure that expenditures are properly approved and enough money is available to pay for those expenditures.

2.j. The other 1/2 of the salary expenditure is paid.
?                          $125,000
         cash                       ?
answer:
salary expenditure                    125000
         cash                                      125000
2.k. The preclosing trial balance shows:

                                 dr           cr
cash                              0
investments                   0
accounts payable                      0
reserve for encumbrance           0
revenue- property tax                300000
revenue- fees                             199500
revenue- interest                        500
expenditures- salaries     250000
expenditures- supplies    250000

total                             ?        ?
Answer:                500000   500000
2.l. Do a statement of revenues and expenditures --
actual and budget.

The format for this budget v. actual statement can be
reviewed
by goint to lesson 3 in chapter 2. 
   Statement of revenues and expenditures
            Special Revenue Fund
         for the period ended 12/31/x0

                           Actual   Budget   Variance
?                          ?             ?             ?
answer:
   Statement of revenues and expenditures
            Special Revenue Fund
         for the period ended 12/31/x0

                           Actual   Budget   Variance 
Revenue:                                                           negative or () unfavorable
property tax        300000   300000        0
fees                     199500   200000     -500
interest                     500             0      500
 total revenue        500000   500000        0

Expenditures
salary                       250000   250000        0
supplies                     250000   250000        0
 total expenditures     500000   500000        0

Excess(deficiency)
of revenues over
(under) expenditures            0        0        0
This situation, were almost every actual is equal the budgeted in unlikely to occur in practice, but doing the statement provides practice with the format.

Complete the closing entries:

                                 dr                cr
Closing entries:
revenue- property                 ?
revenue- fees                     ?
revenue- interest                 ?
appropriations - salary                              ?
         expenditures - salaries                     ?
         ?                                           ?
         est revenue - property tax   300000  
         ?                                            ?
answers:
                                       dr                cr
Closing entries:
revenue- property tax        300000
revenue- fees                    199500
revenue- interest                    500
appropriations - salary       250000
appropriations - supplies    250000 
         expenditures - salaries                250000
         expenditures - supplies               250000
         est revenue - property tax           300000
         est revenues - fees                      200000
Notice there is no fund balance since the budgetary and actual entries equalled each other on the inflow and outflow sides.

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Answers for part 3.
under construction


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See Also: project elements , course readings , the glossary , stories , exercies and demonstrations , and a summary