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Accounting Policy Manual
Content being updated in relation to GA@WORK.
The content on this page is currently being updated in relation to changes needed for GA@WORK. While we work to provide the latest updates, policies listed below should be considered in effect. Significant policy changes will be communicated via email.
The Accounting Policy Manual includes high-level policies and procedures to ensure that financial activity is recorded accurately and consistently across organizations, so that government-wide financial statements will comply with authoritative Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and legislative standards. Basic guidance on accounting requirements, including journal entry examples, is included in these documents. Accounting manual topics apply to all State of Georgia accounting organizations regardless of their accounting systems.
The State Reporting Structure and Chart of Accounts applies to all organizations in the State reporting entity regardless of their accounting systems. State organizations that do not use the prescribed SCOA values must be able to provide a mapping cross-reference to their local charts for purposes of year-end statewide reporting. For any questions reach out to [email protected].
| Section | Manual | Effective Date | Revision Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Manual Introduction | State of Georgia Accounting Policy Structure | 06/30/2009 | 07/01/2022 |
| Fiscal Management Objectives | 06/30/2009 | 07/01/2022 | |
| Management Responsibilities | 06/30/2009 | 07/01/2022 | |
| GAAP Hierarchy & Link to GASB | 06/30/2016 | 07/01/2022 | |
| Laws and Regulations | 07/01/1999 | 07/01/2022 | |
| Glossary | 07/01/2009 | 07/01/2022 |
| Section | Manual | Effective Date | Revision Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materiality | 07/01/2009 | 06/30/2011 | |
Basis of Accounting and Reporting
| Overview | 06/30/2009 | 06/30/2011 |
| Legal Level of Budgetary Control | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Elements of Financial Statements | 07/01/2015 | 07/01/2015 | |
| Chart of Accounts (COA) | Structure Overview | 07/01/2009 | 04/30/2010 |
| Fund Source Identifiers | 07/01/1999 | 07/01/2004 | |
| Control/Clearing Accounts - Balancing Requirements | 06/30/2012 | 03/01/2016 |
| Section | Manual | Effective Date | Revision Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checklists | Monthly Reporting and Analysis Checklist | Not Available | |
| Fiscal Year-End Cutoff and Analysis Checklist | Not Available | ||
| Documentation Requirements | 05/31/2011 | 05/31/2011 |
| Section | Manual | Effective Date | Revision Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflows of Resources | Revenues & Receivables Unearned Revenues and Unavailable Revenues - General | 07/01/2015 | 06/22/2017 |
| Uncollectible Accounts and Write-Offs | 07/01/2011 | 07/01/2011 | |
| Other Financing Sources | 07/01/1999 | 07/01/2004 | |
| Prior Year Carry-Over (Accounting) | 07/01/2008 | 07/01/2017 | |
| Revenues - Grants and Other Financial Assistance Policy | 03/25/2016 | 03/25/2016 | |
| Outflows of Resources | Accounting for Vendor Adjustment Credits | 06/30/2013 | 04/05/2013 |
| Payments to Board Members | 07/01/1999 | 10/01/2024 | |
| Other Financing Uses | 07/01/1999 | 07/01/2004 | |
| Expenditures/Expenses, Prepaid Items, Payables and Deferred Outflows – General | 06/22/2017 | 06/22/2017 | |
| Assets and Deferred Outflows of Resources | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments | 07/01/1999 | 07/01/2004 |
| Inventories | 07/01/1999 | 07/01/2004 | |
| Prepaid Assets and Deferred Charges | 07/01/1999 | 07/01/2004 | |
| Deposits and Investments | Not Available | ||
| Liabilities and Deferred Inflows of Resources | Claims, Judgments, and Accounting for Contingencies | 07/01/2015 | 07/01/2015 |
| Pollution Remediation Obligations | 06/30/2009 | 06/30/2009 | |
| Employee Benefits | Compensated Absences | 07/01/2010 | 02/28/2011 |
| Deferred Compensation (IRC 457 Plans) | 07/01/2010 | 02/28/2011 | |
| Pension Benefits | Not Available | ||
| Other Postemployment Benefits | Not Available | ||
| Capital Assets | Capital Assets - General | 07/01/2010 | 10/01/2024 |
| Construction in Progress | 07/01/2011 | 06/30/2011 | |
| Asset Transfers and Other Disposals | 07/01/2010 | 06/30/2011 | |
| Impairments | 07/01/2010 | 06/30/2011 | |
| Intangibles - General | 07/01/2009 | 06/30/2011 | |
| Internally Generated Computer Software | 07/01/2009 | 06/30/2011 | |
| Leases and Subscription Based Information Technology Agreements | Lease - Lessee and Lessor Accounting | 07/01/2021 | 06/30/2023 |
| Subscription Based Information Technology Agreements (SBITAs) | 07/01/2021 | 06/30/2023 | |
| Debt and Related Items | Interest, Notes, Bonds Payable/Bond Premiums and Discounts | 07/01/1999 | 09/16/2019 |
| Derivative Instruments | 07/01/2009 | 04/11/2012 | |
| Equity | Equity Policy | 03/25/2016 | 03/25/2016 |
| Special Accounting Transactions | Accounting Changes | Not Available | |
| Prior Period Adjustments | Not Available | ||
| Extraordinary and Special Items | Not Available | ||
| Subsequent Events | Not Available | ||
| Tax Abatements | July 1, 2016 | July 1, 2021 |