Accounting Manual for Public School Districts

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Accounting Manual for Public School Districts

APPENDIX C – Suggested Notes to Financial Statements

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION1 -

CASH BASIS2 -

GAAP NO FIXED ASSETS3 -

GAAP4 -1

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Appendix C – Notes1

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

The notes to the financial statements are essential in explaining significant accounting policies and circumstances that affect the district’s financial position and results of operations. They are required for GAAP financial statements.

Notes in financial reporting are the responsibility of the school district, not the auditor, and accordingly are subject to audit as an integral part of the financial statements.

Three suggested sets of notes are provided for use depending on the type of financial statements the district is issuing.

, , , , , , , , , , , = Refer to instructions at the end of each section.

Appendix C – Notes1

Section 1 – Introduction

CASH BASIS

______

(Name of School District)

Notes To Financial Statements

September 1, 199X-1 Through August 31, 200X

Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

a.Reporting Entity

The ______School District is a municipal corporation organized pursuant to Title 28A Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for the purpose of providing public school services to students in Grades K–12. Oversight responsibility for the district’s operations is vested with the independently elected board of directors. Management of the district is appointed by and is accountable to the board of directors. Fiscal responsibility, including budget authority and the power to set fees, levy property taxes, and issue debt consistent with provisions of state statutes, also rests with the board of directors.

For financial reporting purposes, the ______School District includes all funds, an account group, and all organizations controlled by or dependent on the district’s board of directors. Control by or dependence on the district was determined on the basis of budget adoption, taxing authority, outstanding debt secured by the general credit of the district, obligation of the district to finance any deficits that may occur, or receipt of significant subsidies from the district.

b.Basis of Presentation—Fund Accounting

The accounts of the district are maintained on the basis of funds, each of which is considered a separate accounting entity. The operations of each fund are accounted for with a separate set of self-balancing accounts that comprise its fund equity, revenues, and expenditures (or expenses) , as appropriate. (Refer to Note 1.c. for Basis of Accounting.) The various funds in the report are grouped into governmental (and fiduciary funds) as follows:

GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS

General Fund

This fund is the general operating fund of the district. It accounts for all expendable financial resources, except those required to be accounted for in another fund.

Capital Projects Funds

This fund type accounts for financial resources to be used for the acquisition of major capital assets, it consists of the Capital Projects Fund and the Transportation Vehicle Fund.

Capital Projects Fund—This fund is used to account for resources set aside for the acquisition and construction of fixed assets.

Transportation Vehicle Fund—This fund is used to account for the purchase, major repair, rebuilding, and debt service expenditures related to pupil transportation equipment.

(Debt Service Fund)

This fund is used to account for the accumulation of resources for the payment of general long-term debt principal, interest, and related expenditures.

Special Revenue Funds

This fund type accounts for the proceeds of specific revenue sources legally restricted for specific purposes. The Associated Student Body Fund is the only fund of this type. This fund is accounted for as a special revenue fund since the financial resources legally belong to the district.

(FIDUCIARY FUNDS)

Expendable (and nonexpendable) trust funds are used to account for assets held by the district in a trustee capacity.

Expendable Trust Fund—This fund uses the cash basis of accounting. All of the fund’s assets may be expended for any authorized purpose.

(Nonexpendable Trust Fund—This fund is accounted for using the cash basis of accounting. The fund’s principal must remain intact. Spending is limited to the fund’s investment earnings.)

(Nonexpendable Trust Fund—This fund is accounted for using the full accrual basis of accounting. The fund’s principal must remain intact. Spending is limited to the fund’s investment earnings.)

(ACCOUNT GROUP)

General Long-Term Debt

Long-term liabilities expected to be financed from governmental funds are accounted for in the general long-term debt account group. Refunded bond issues are not included in the financial statements.

c.Basis of Accounting

The basis of accounting refers to when revenues and expenditures (or expenses) are recognized in the accounts and reported in the financial statements.

The district’s accounting policies, as reflected in the accompanying financial statements, conform to the Accounting Manual for Public School Districts in the State of Washington for cash basis districts. The publication was issued jointly by the State Auditor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction by the authority of RCW 43.09.200, RCW 28A.505.140, RCW 28A.505.010(1), and RCW 28A.505.020. This manual allows for practices that differ from generally accepted accounting principles in the following manner:

(1) Revenues are recognized when they are received in cash, rather than when measurable and available. Expenditures are recognized when warrants are issued rather than when expenditures are incurred.

(2) The financial statements do not report fixed assets.

(3) The cost of supplies and material is recorded as an expenditure at the time the inventory item is purchased rather than when consumed.

(A full accrual basis of accounting is used for all nonexpendable trust funds. Revenue is recognized when it is earned and expenses are recognized when incurred.)

d.Budgetary Data

General Budgetary Policies

Chapter 28A.505 RCW and chapter 392-123 Washington Administrative Code (WAC) mandate school district budget policies and procedures. The budget is adopted by the board after a public hearing. An appropriation is a prerequisite to expenditure. Appropriations lapse at the end of the fiscal period.

Budgetary Basis of Accounting

For budget and accounting purposes, revenues and expenditures are accounted for on a cash basis as allowed in law for all governmental funds. Fund balance is budgeted as available resources and, pursuant to law, the budgeted ending fund balance cannot be negative.

e.Deposits and Investments

The county treasurer is the ex officio treasurer for the district. In this capacity, the county treasurer receives deposits and transacts investments on the district’s behalf.

The district’s deposits are covered entirely by federal depository insurance or by collateral held by the district’s custodial banks in the district’s name. The district’s cash on deposit balance with the county was $______(and $______) as of August 31, 200X (and 199X-1 respectively).

Statutes authorize the district to invest in (1) securities, certificates, notes, bonds, short-term securities, or other obligations of the United States and (2) deposits in any state bank or trust company, national banking association, stock saving bank, mutual savings bank, savings and loan association, and any branch bank engaged in banking in the state in accordance with RCW 30.04.300 if the institution has been approved by the Public Deposit Protection Commission to hold public deposits and has segregated eligible collateral having a value of not less than its maximum liability. The county treasurer had $______(and $______) invested on behalf of the district as of August 31, 200X (and 199X respectively).

f.Inventory

The cost of supplies and materials is recorded as an expenditure at the time the inventory item is purchased. (For donated USDA commodity inventory a beginning and ending inventory is kept to meet federal requirements. The district USDA ending inventory is valued at $______(and $______) as of August 31, 200X (and 199X respectively).)

g.Property Taxes

Property tax revenues are collected as the result of special levies passed by the voters in the district. Taxes are levied on January 1.

h.Compensated Absences

Employees earn sick leave at a rate of ____ days per year up to a maximum of one contract year.

Under the provisions of RCW 28A.400.210, sick leave accumulated by district employees is reimbursed at death or retirement at the rate of one day for each four days of accrued leave, limited to 180 accrued days. This statute also provides for an annual buy out of an amount up to the maximum annual accumulation of 12 days. For buy out purposes employees may accumulate sick leave to a maximum of 192 days, i.e., 12 buy out days and a maximum leave accrual of 180 days, as of December 31 of each year.

District obligation for vested sick leave at August 31, 200X (and 199X), amounts to $______( and $______respectively).

Vested sick leave for employees eligible for retirement are recorded as liabilities in the general long-term debt account group. These expenditures are recorded when paid, except termination sick leave that is accrued upon death or retirement. Vested sick leave was computed using the (termination payment method, vesting method). (Note: if you have computed your estimate for vested sick leave using a methodology other than the termination or vesting methods, discussed in GASB 16 please include a brief description of the methodology used.)

(Employees earn sick leave at a rate of ____ days per year up to a maximum of one contract year. The district has not adopted the buy out provisions for sick leave as authorized under RCW 28A.400.210. As such, no liability exists for buy out of sick leave.)

(Unpaid vacation leave liability at August 31, 200X (and 199X), amounts to $______(and $______respectively).)

(No liability exists for other employee benefits.)

(Note 2 Self-Insurance—Security Deposit)

(The money the district places in escrow as a condition of self-insuring with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is reported in this account. As of August 31, 200X (and 199X)7, the district self-insurance security deposit balance was $______(and $______respectively).)

Note 3 Fixed Assets

The district’s fixed assets are insured in the amount of $______(and $______) for fiscal 199X (and 199X respectively). In the opinion of the district’s insurance consultant, this amount is sufficient to adequately fund replacement of the district’s assets.

Note 4 Pensions

General Information

Substantially all ______School District full-time and qualifying part-time employees participate in one of the following two contributory, multi-employer, cost-sharing statewide retirement systems managed by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).

The Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) includes certificated staff of 296 public school district employers and other public employers. As of June 30, ____ (and ____), it includes ______(and ______respectively) active and inactive vested members.

The Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) includes noncertificated staff of 296 public school district employers and other public employers. As of December 31, ____ (and ____), it includes ______(and ______respectively) active and inactive vested members.

The employer contribution rates for Plan 1 and Plan 2 (for both PERS and TRS) are established each biennium by the Legislature. The employee contribution rate for Plan 2 is also determined by the Legislature. However, the employee contribution rate for Plan 1 is set by statute at 6 percent and does not vary from year to year. The employer and employee contribution rates for Plan 2 are developed by the state actuary to fully fund this plan. The employer contribution rates for Plan 1 are not necessarily adequate to fund the level established by the Legislature. These rates may be equal to, in excess of, or short of what is actually needed to fully fund the level established by the Legislature. The methods used to determine the contribution requirements are established under chapters 41.40 and 41.32 RCW for PERS and TRS, respectively.

A new Plan 3 for TRS was established effective July 1, 1996. This plan is a combination defined benefit, defined contribution plan. Employer contribution rates are established each biennium by the Legislature. The state actuary calculates the rates, the economic revenue forecast council adopts the rates, and the Legislature enacts the rates for the defined benefit portion of the plan. Employee rates are established each biennium by the Legislature as well. These rates fund the defined contribution portion of the plan.

Employee contribution rates for Plans 1 and 2 of both systems have been set at rates reflective of amounts that have been appropriated by the state legislature.

In fiscal year 199X (and 199X), the district paid $______(and $______respectively) as its contribution for TRS and $______(and $______respectively) for PERS.

Historical trend information showing TRS and PERS progress in accumulating sufficient assets to pay benefits when due is presented in the state of Washington’s June 30, 1997, comprehensive annual financial report. Refer to said report for detailed trend information. It is available from:

State of Washington

Office of Financial Management

300 Insurance Building

PO BOX 43113

Olympia, WA 98504-3113

The district contribution represents its full liability under both systems, except that future rates may be adjusted to meet the system needs.

(Note 5 Construction and Other Significant Commitments)

(Describe circumstances)

Construction in progress is composed of:

Project / Project
Authorization
Amount / Expended
as of
8/31/9X / Additional
Local Funds
Committed / Additional
State Funds
Committed
Total

Note 6 Risk Management

(The following risk management paragraphs pertain to risk management pools and self-insurance. Select the paragraphs pertinent to your district and adjust them as necessary.)

The district is exposed to various risks of loss related to torts; theft of, damage to, and destruction of assets; errors and omissions; injuries to employees; and natural disasters.

(District participates in an insurance pool.)

In (month and year), the district joined with other school districts in the state to form (name of risk pool), a public entity risk pool currently operating as a common risk management and insurance program for (unemployment insurance, unemployment compensation). The district pays an annual premium to the pool for its general insurance coverage. The agreement for formation of the (name of risk pool) provides that the pool will be self-sustaining through member premiums and will reinsure through commercial companies for claims in excess of $______for each insured event.

(District buys commercial insurance)

The district continues to carry commercial insurance for all other risks of loss, including (description of insurance). Settled claims resulting from these risks have not exceeded commercial insurance coverage in any of the past three fiscal years.

(District buys commercial insurance)

Beginning in (month and year), the district began covering all(claim settlements, judgments) out of its General Fund. The district currently reports (all, some) of its risk management activities in its General Fund. Claims expenditures and liabilities are reported when it is probable that a loss has occurred and the amount of that loss can be reasonably estimated. These losses include an estimate of claims that have been incurred but not reported.

At August 31, 200X , the amount of liabilities was $______. This liability is the district’s best estimate based on available information. Changes in the reported liability since August 31, ____ 199X, resulted in the following:

9/1/199X-1
Liability / Current Year Claims and Changes in Estimates / Claim
Payments / 8/31/199X
Balance
(Prior Year)
(Current Year)

(Included in the August 31, 200X , balance are claims of $______, representing losses for which the lowest amount in a range of probable losses has been accrued because no amount with that range is a better estimate of loss. The district estimates that those losses could be as high as $______.)

At August 31, 200X, General Fund investments of $______were held for purposes of funding the district’s future claims liabilities. As a result, $______of General Fund balance is designated for payment of future claims liabilities.

(Note 7 Lease Obligations and Conditional Sales Contract Obligations)

(Provide a general description of lease arrangement [e.g., basis for determining contingent rental, renewal terms, purchase option, escalation clauses, restrictions, and nature and extent with related parties].)

(Lease-purchase commitments for ______. Payments are scheduled in ____ installments of $______through ______, 19___.) / Balance at 8/31/9X
$ ______
(Conditional sales contract(s) for purchase of ______. Payments are scheduled in installments of $______through ______, 19___.) / Balance at 8/31/9X
$ ______

(Note 8 Long-Term Debt)

(Describe bond issues: Amount issued, date of issue, annual redemption, interest rate, and amount outstanding at August 31.)

Bonds payable at August 31, 200X , are comprised of the following individual issues:

Issue Name / Amount
Authorized / Annual
Installments / Final
Maturity / Interest
Rate(s) / Amount
Outstanding
General Obligation Bonds
Total General Obligation Bonds

(Prepare the following schedule to include information for two years if these notes are to be included in a two-year audit report.)

The following is a summary of general obligation long-term debt transactions of the district for the year (two years) ended August 31, 200X .

Long-Term Debt Payable at 9/1/X-1
New Issues
Debt Retired
Long-Term Debt Payable at 8/31/9X

The following is a schedule of annual requirements to amortize long-term debt at August 31, 200X :

(Include as many lines as necessary (minimum of five years) to report total long-term debt.)

Years Ending
August 31, / Principal / Interest / Total
19
20
20
20
20
Total

(A schedule of annual requirements to amortize long-term bonded debt was not readily available.)

At August 31, 200X (and 199X-1), the district had $______(and $______respectively,) available in the Debt Service Fund to service the general obligation bonds.

(Bonds Authorized but Unissued)

(Schedule bonds authorized but unissued.)

(Refunded Debt)

(In the year of advance refunding.)

(On ______, 19___, the district issued $______million in general obligation bonds with an average interest rate of ____ percent to advance refund $____ million of outstanding 19___ series bonds with an average interest rate of ____ percent. The district advance refunded the 19___ series bonds to reduce its total debt service payments over the next ___ years by $______million and to obtain an economic gain (difference between the present values of the debt service payments on the old and new debt) of $______million.)