The Business Model in Government

Chapter VI Financial Reporting in Government
By Dr. John Sacco , George Mason University
Revised Saturday, November 08, 1997

Introduction

This chapter is under construction. When completed it will have a discussion of the proprietary or business like funds as opposed to the governmental funds, which were of interest in chapter 3 and chapter 4. These discussions will cover general tenets of business financial reporting and the specifics of the various proprietary funds, namely, internal service funds and enterprise funds. For the most part these funds follow the accrual logic of the alternative model discussed in chapter 2. As such it also provides a preview of what governmental accounting might look like if GASB follows the dual perspective by adding an accrual assessment of financial performance.

Pretest

Lessons

  1. Relevant Features of the Business Model
  2. Proprietary Funds as the Prevailing Business Model
  3. Internal Service Funds
  4. Enterprise Funds
  5. Changing Business Models and Governmental Reporting

Discussion

Study Aids

  • homework
  • project elements
  • course readings
  • glossary
  • stories
  • exercies and demonstrations
  • summary
  • Post-Test

    Progress


    See Also: chapter I, Definition and Elements of Financial Reporting ; chapter II, Alternative Reporting Models: Compliance and Liquidity v. Accrual and Consolidation ; chapter III, Financial Statements in Government: A Compliance and Liquidity Approach ; chapter IV, Long Term Obligations and Assets ; chapter V, The Accounting Cycle in Government ; and chapter VII, Other Topics in Government Accounting .