Select a government type/Select basis of accounting
This government type selection will limit the accounts to those applicable to the selected government type. Although the listing provided intends to be all inclusive, it is possible that needed account codes will not be included. If this occurs, please use the All option to view the entire chart of accounts and contact LGCSFeedback@sao.wa.gov so the listing can be updated.
Select export type
The Excel option provides a spreadsheet which you can format. The PDF is formatted to highlight the different categories of account codes. For display purposes, the account codes contain decimal points which should be excluded in your annual report.
Select a reporting level
Above and Prescribed option includes those accounts which are aggregates of detailed account codes and are not valid for reporting in addition to Prescribed accounts which are the valid BARS account codes. Prescribed option only lists valid BARS account codes.
Your annual report requires seven digits for all account codes however, their display in the chart of accounts varies. The expenditure or expense accounts are presented without object codes. Object codes are available in the BARS Manual. The reporting at the subobject level is not required.
2.4.1.10 A budget is a legal document that forecasts the financial resources of a government and authorizes the spending of those resources for a fiscal period. At a minimum, local governments’ budget must meet the requirements of Washington state law and the State Auditor’s Office. The SAO does not prescribe how to budget or what a budget should look like. The adopted budget should be of sufficient detail to be meaningful and meet the intention of the law. The SAO considers budgets showing revenues and expenditures at the legal fund level to be the minimum acceptable level of detail.
2.4.1.20 Budgeting is more than just an activity to satisfy state law. It is a sophisticated process of strategic planning, communication and policy development resulting in a detailed plan of operations for allocating and monitoring the use of limited resources among various competing demands. Teaching how to budget is outside the scope of the BARS. However, there are many educational resources available to local governments, such as the Municipal Research and Services Center (mrsc.org) and the Government Finance Officers Association (gfoa.org).
2.4.1.30 Glossary of budgetary terms:
Annual/biennial appropriated budget – A fixed budget adopted for the government’s fiscal period. The appropriated budget was traditionally used to determine a government’s property tax levy, and a ceiling on expenditures was made absolute so that the expenditures of a government unit would not exceed its revenues. This budget was also historically a balanced budget, estimated revenues equaling appropriations. The appropriated budget is still used to set tax levies and some budget statutes still require balanced budgets, but it is more generally used to authorize a specific amount of expenditures regardless of whether estimated resources meet or exceed that amount. Appropriated budgets are required by statute in cities (Chapter 35.32A RCW, Chapter 35.33 RCW and Chapter 35A.33 RCW), counties (Chapter 36.40 RCW), and most other local governments in Washington State. These budgets are also called legal budgets, adopted budgets, or formal budgets. The appropriated budgets should be adopted by ordinance or resolution.
Appropriation – The legal spending level authorized by a budget ordinance or resolution. Spending should not exceed this level without prior approval of the governing body.
Capital improvement budget – Consists of two elements: the annual/biennial portion of capital projects and annual/biennial appropriations for the purchase, construction or replacement of major fixed assets in the current fiscal period.
Comprehensive budget – An government-wide budget that includes all resources the government expects and everything it intends to spend or encumber during a fiscal period. The comprehensive budget contains annual/biennial appropriated budgets, the annual/biennial portion of continuing appropriations such as the capital improvement projects, debt amortization schedules, and grant projects, flexible budgets and all non-budgeted funds.
Continuing appropriation – A fixed budget which authorizes expenditures for a fiscal period that differs from the government’s fiscal year, such as capital projects, debt issues, grant awards, and other service projects. These expenditures require an ordinance or resolution to authorize the project, establish the assessment roll, adopt the debt amortization schedule, or accept the grant award. Such ordinances or resolutions set an absolute maximum or ceiling on the expenditures, but the time period for incurring expenditures does not coincide with the government’s fiscal year; it may even cover several years. The major difference between annual/biennial appropriated budgets and continuing appropriations is that the latter do not lapse at fiscal period end; this implies that no legislative action is required to amend the annual/biennial portion of a continuing appropriation, unless the total authorized expenditures would exceed the entire appropriation.
Encumbrances – Commitments related to unperformed (executory) contracts for goods or services should be utilized to the extent necessary to assure effective budgetary control and to facilitate cash planning. Encumbrances outstanding at year end represent the estimated amount of expenditures ultimately to result if unperformed contracts in process are completed; they do not constitute expenditures or liabilities.
Final amended budget – The original budget adjusted by all reserves, transfers, allocations, supplemental appropriations, and other legally authorized legislative and executive changes applicable to the fiscal year, whenever signed into law or otherwise legally authorized.
Fixed budget – Those budgets which set an absolute maximum or ceiling on the expenditures of a particular fund, department, or other specific category. A fixed budget can be either an annual/biennial appropriated budget or a continuing appropriation. Fixed budgets must be adopted by ordinance or resolution, either for the government’s fiscal period or at the outset of a service project, debt issue, grant award, or capital project.
Flexible budgets – Are usually regarded as managerial tools, which do not set a ceiling on expenses or expenditures but establish a plan for them at various levels of service. They are especially appropriate for the day-to-day operations of a public utility where it is essential to plan fluctuations in the demand for services and where revenues will automatically increase with demand, so that a balanced budget does not depend on establishing a ceiling for expenses.
Operating budget – Presents the estimated expenditures and available resources necessary to provide the services for which the government was created. An operating budget will contain flexible budgets and fixed budgets; the fixed budgets will include annual/biennial appropriations for services and the annual/biennial portion of continuing appropriations for debt service and for service projects.
Original budget – The first complete appropriated budget. The original budget may be adjusted by reserves, transfers, allocations, supplemental appropriations, and other legally authorized legislative and executive changes before the beginning of the fiscal year. The original budget should also include actual appropriation amounts automatically carried over from prior years by law.
Working capital budget – Combines flexible and fixed budget elements in one document for enterprise and internal service funds. Current operations are flexibly budgeted based on the estimated level of services to be provided and long-range sources and uses of assets are controlled by annual/biennial appropriations and continuing appropriations.
3.8.1.10 All local governments have a choice between either the tax basis or in-lieu contribution basis for making payments to the Department of Employment Security (ESD) (RCW 50.44.030). The accounting procedures for the two options are detailed below:
With this option the entity is assigned a rate and pays quarterly based on wages paid to employees. Rates are reassessed annually by the Employment Security Department. Contact the Department of Employment Security to determine the appropriate tax rate(s) for your particular unit of government. Apply the rate to all functional expenditure/expense accounts that have direct salary or wage charges, using the employer fringe or personnel benefits object applicable to your local government, each time a payroll is prepared. Do not apply the rate to salaries and wages of the following: (1) elected officials; (2) Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) employees to the extent their earnings are within the maximum gross pay allowable under the JTPA programs; or, (3) policy-making employees that do not work more than eight hours per week.
Remit unemployment taxes quarterly to the Department of Employment Security.
This option would be considered self-insurance. Entities must be approved for this status by the Employment Security Department. Entities report quarterly wages to the Employment Security Department, but only pay when an unemployment claim is filed. Under this option, the ESD will pay unemployment claims and then bill the local governments for reimbursement.
Method A
The local government may individually self-insure for unemployment claims. This can be accounted for in the general fund or the local government can create an internal service fund for unemployment – Unemployment Compensation Fund. The purpose of this fund is to create a reserve for future unemployment claims by receiving periodic cash contributions from operating funds. The amount of these cash contributions depends on the estimate of future unemployment claims. The estimates should be reviewed and adjusted periodically, based on experience. Typically, estimates are based on a three to five year history of actual claims, but each entity should determine the method that works best for them. There may be different rates for departments and funds within the same government. The periodic cash contributions from operating funds will be charged to the functional expenditure/expense accounts in the operating funds in the same manner as premium payments paid to the ESD. Payments to the ESD must be made from the Unemployment Compensation Fund. Interest earnings on investment of the contributions may be used for the benefit of the Unemployment Compensation Fund (thereby reducing charges to the operating funds) or the general (current expense) fund per RCW 35.39.034. An ordinance or resolution must govern this choice.
Method B
The local government may participate with other local governments in an unemployment pool or cooperative as provided for in RCW 39.34.030. If you participate in such a cooperative, the contributions from your funds should be charged as expenditures/expenses functionally according to the applicable chart of accounts. In this case, the pool or cooperative will pay the billed amounts to the ESD.
Rates charged to the participants should be adjusted periodically based on the experience of each participant.
3.8.1.40 Since claims made by the ESD must be paid by statute, it is not necessary to appropriate funds for their payment; however, we recommend that appropriations be made by local governments to ensure their ability to pay future claims.
RCW 41.50.770 authorizes all local governments to establish deferred compensation plans for the benefit of their employees in conformity with the requirements of Section 457 or Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. RCW 28A.400.250 further authorizes school districts to establish plans in conformity with the requirements of Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Deferred compensation plans permit employees to accept less than the full amount of salary earned thus reducing their current federal income tax liability. The amount by which the salary is reduced is invested by the employer and upon retirement, disability, termination, unforeseen emergency, or death may be withdrawn by the employees or their beneficiaries.
The plan must be established correctly and administered properly so that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not rule that the plan is not in conformity with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
3.8.1.80 Because of the many administrators and plans available, it is strongly recommended that any local government which intends to establish a deferred compensation plan seek legal counsel to determine conformance with the Internal Revenue Code, and obtain approval of the chosen plan by the district.
Caution should be exercised in implementing a plan, not only to protect the employer’s legal liability, but also to prevent undue administrative complexities. Some major administrative requirements are as follows:
a. Make written agreements with plan administrator
All local government deferred compensation plans should provide for written agreements which clearly define the duties and responsibilities of the employer and the administrator.
b. Keep an employee file for each employee
A file to keep a deferred compensation record for each participating employee is necessary. Most carriers will provide the forms and basic accounting information for the employer, but the employer is responsible for maintenance of the files.
The participating employees must complete and sign joinder agreements stipulating the amount of their gross salaries or wages to be deferred. The local government should also maintain a written agreement which details any responsibilities of the employer for contributions, fees, charges, earnings, losses and withdrawals.
c. Withdrawals
The procedures for withdrawals should be clearly defined and the employer should be very careful in accepting any employee requests for amounts to be withdrawn from accumulated deferred compensation assets for unforeseeable emergencies, as any employee withdrawal granted which does not qualify under Internal Revenue Code could cause the entire deferred compensation plan for all employees to be considered in violation and invalid by the IRS.
Normally, all withdrawals as a result of retirement, disability, termination, unforeseen emergency or death, will be paid to the employer by the bank, credit union, or other institution (the agent) with which the employer (the principal) has the agreement.
In such cases, the employer will receipt for the payment referred to above, deduct the appropriate amount for federal income tax withholding and disburse the remaining amount to the employee, former employee or beneficiary as applicable. The employer will then remit the federal income tax withheld to the IRS or to the official depository as it presently is required to do. The employer will issue W-2 forms to the participants in the plan who have received payments of deferred income.
The W-2 will show the gross payment made to the participant or beneficiary and any deductions made.
However, the IRS has approved some plans whereby the administering company acts as agent for payments to the employees, issuance of W-2 forms and remittances to the IRS. Such IRS approved plans, which are still in conformance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, will be permitted.
d. Maximum contribution
Local governments should refer to the Internal Revenue Service for allowable annual contribution limits.
e. Budget salaries and wages in year earned
All local governments required to budget revenues and expenditures by fund should be required to budget the gross salaries and wages including the deferred compensation amounts as expenditures of the year in which the salaries or wages are earned.
f. Establish plan as a pension (and other employee benefit) trust fund (if applicable)
All plans established in conformity with the Internal Revenue Code are expected to be held in a trust for the exclusive benefit of participants and their beneficiaries.
Local governments do not own either the amounts deferred by employees or related income on those amounts. Accordingly, reporting will depend on whether the government is acting as the administrator for the plan. Administration involves managing the assets of the plan through a qualifying trust. In Washington State, this situation is expected to be rare for local governments. When your plan is administered by a third party administrator (example ICMA-RC), the government is not considered the plan administrator for financial statement reporting purposes. If the government contracts with a third party administrator, the government should make disclosures required for defined contribution pension plans and report contributions to the plan as payroll expense but would notreport plan assets as a fiduciary fund. In the rare circumstance where a government acts as the administrator for the plan, governments should report their plans as pension (and/or other employee benefit) trust funds in their financial reports.
3.8.1.110 The local governments should keep detailed accounting records of the deferred compensation plan. However, if those records can be provided by the administrator of the plan, no duplication is necessary.
Reporting Requirements and Filing Instructions for Cities and Counties
4 Reporting
4.1 Reporting Principles and Requirements
4.1.5 Reporting Requirements and Filing Instructions for Cities and Counties
4.1.5.10 Pursuant to RCW 43.09.230, Annual Reports are to be certified and filed with the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) within 150 days after the close of each fiscal year.
4.1.5.20 The following matrix provides additional details regarding reporting requirements for governmental, proprietary and fiduciary funds.
Footnotes [1] Cities were required to prepare the Schedule 06 beginning in reporting year 2019. Counties are required to prepare the Schedule 06 for reporting year 2020.
[2] Cities with total revenues usually less than $300,000 are also required to submit a Schedule 22 Questionnaire.
Caution
4.1.5.30 The SAO online filing system will automatically produce the C-4 and C-5 statements for the local governments. Note that local governments with total revenues of $2 million or less are not required to prepare financial statements unless debt covenants, a contract, a grantor or the district’s legislative body requires the district to prepare the financial statements or if the government is to receive a financial statement audit. If this request is made, C-4 and C-5 statements and notes should be prepared. The $2 million threshold calculation excludes any proceeds from issuance of long-term debt and resources held by the government in its fiduciary capacity.
4.1.5.40 If more than $750,000 in federal funding was expended by the entity during the year and a federal single audit is required, the entity must prepare financial statements if it has expenditures of federal moneys from more than one program or cluster. However, an entity that normally does not prepare financial statements may not need to prepare them for the single audit if it has expenditures from only one program or cluster. Entities should consult with their local SAO team or the SAO HelpDesk if they have questions about this requirement.
4.1.5.50 Forms
The templates for Online Filing for Schedules 01, 06, 09, 15 and 16 are available on the BARS Reporting Templates page on the SAO website. When using the Online Filing option, the system will create the Schedule based on data provided by the city/county on these templates.
Blank forms for other schedules are provided on the BARS Reporting Templates page. The use of these particular forms is not required; however, information requested by the form is prescribed. Specific instructions accompanying each statement and schedule identify which, if any, details are optional.
4.1.5.60 Subsequent corrections
All subsequent discoveries of errors and omissions in the annual report – from the date of original submission up through the end of the audit applicable to that period – are requiredto be corrected by resubmitting the annual report. For any misstatements discovered during the audit, governments should ensure open communication with the audit team about the correction. Any misstatements discovered after the audit is completed that affect Schedule 01 should be recorded as a prior period adjustment. If misstatements discovered after completion of the audit are material, governments should immediately alert their audit team.
4.1.5.70 Filing instructions
Electronic reporting is strongly encouraged when filing annual reports. Annual reports should be submitted via the Online Filing option on the State Auditor’s website at: https://portal.sao.wa.gov/saoportal/. Acceptable file should adhere to the prescribed record layout and should be an Excel file. It should include column headings. All columns must be formatted as text except the Actual Amount column which is numeric. More details are provided on the website.
For questions and/or support e-mail the SAO HelpDesk through Online Services.
If the city or county cannot provide the annual report in the electronic format it should mail it to:
Annual Report State Auditor’s Office Local Government Support Team P.O. Box 40031 Olympia, WA 98504-0031
4.1.5.80 Certification
Electronic reporting through the SAO website will require electronic certification of the annual report during the final steps of the submission process.
If the city or county cannot utilize the electronic reporting, prepare the certification form (provided on the BARS Reporting Templates page), including signature and date and include this form when mailing your report.
4.1.5.90 The following matrix describes required statements and schedules for cash basis cities and counties and the scope of each schedule.
Footnote [1] There should be only one general fund. Also, if the local government accounts for the debt and capital projects related to proprietary activities in funds other than proprietary, these activities should be incorporated in the appropriate proprietary fund. All interfund transactions between funds which are combined for reporting purposes should be eliminated to avoid double counting.
Annual Report Disclosure Form MCAG No. _______ (City/County)
(This form is not required if you are submitting the annual report electronically.)
Use the column which is appropriate for your government type. Please place a check mark or "Y" if the statements/schedules are attached. If financial statements and/or are not applicable, mark the spot "NA" (not applicable). An "NA" in your government type column will indicate that a schedule is not attached due to lack of activities described in the schedule in reported year. The blocked spot indicates the schedule is not required for that government type.
Footnotes [1] Only cities and counties with revenue of $2 million or more are required to prepare the notes to the financial statements. See Caution, above.
[2] See BARS Manual for detailed instructions indicating which cities are required to prepare this schedule.
[3] Only cities with revenue usually less than $300,000 are required to prepare this schedule.
344.71 (Transits, Railroads and Other Transportation Systems Services)
344.71 New Code - Include private vanpool charges, streetcar and monorail fares, disabled/aging transportation fees, etc. For cities/counties: this code is not reported on the road/street report to WSDOT.
369.70 (Pension/OPEB Contributions) Should only be used for contributions made to a pension/OPEB plan administered by the reporting government. Not for use in the fiduciary funds.
547.10 (Transits, Railroads and Other Transportation Systems Services)
547.10 New Code - This account should be used only if the local government operates its own, or with other governments, transit, railroad or other transportation system. These expenditures are related to public transportation. For cities/counties: this code is not reported on the road/street report to WSDOT.
Internal Service Funds - Added guidance on accounting for internal service funds providing services to fiduciary funds and the use of internal service funds at special purpose districts.
3.4.18.30, 3.4.18.45, 3.4.18.50 Added clarifications on reporting non-environmental asset retirement obligations and what can cause an asset retirement obligation
3.7.1 Changed title to Federal Awards to include all items that must be reported on the Expenditures of Federal Awards (Schedule 16). Updates, changes, and clarifications for reporting awards made throughout.
Added Footnote 2 for no activity governments reporting, no formal Schedule 22, but the government must attach bank statements and any meeting minutes for the fiscal year. 4.1.6.20 Clarified instances where special purpose districts do not need to prepare financial statements. 4.1.6.25 Updated the definition for no financial activity to include small automatic bank fees and SAO audit billings.
4.8.14.10 Added clarification that governments who file a no activity report will not be required to submit a formal Schedule 22, but will need to submit supporting documents.
Added Quick Links to specific guidance 4.14.5.70 Added additional information on COVID-19 Expenditures including donated personal protective equipment purchased with COVID-19 federal financial assistance, COVID 19 Vaccines - Immunization Cooperative Agreements CFDA #93.268, Provider Relief Fund (PRF) CFDA #93.498 4.14.5.155 Moved and retitled 4.14.5.230 to Preparing the preformatted SEFA template for upload to Online Filing 4.14.5.180 Added yellow flag caution under column 4 instructions. 4.14.5.230 Changed to example of finalized Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards.
348.00 (Internal Service Funds Sales and Services)
348.00 (Internal Service Funds Sales and Services) – Allowed only in internal service funds. Read more about the use of 348.00 and internal service funds in the audit connection blog, “BARS Code Spotlight”.
308 / 508 (beginning/ending cash and investment balance codes)
Cash Basis Cash and Investment Balance Codes – 308.21/508.21: Allowed only in permanent funds and private-purpose trust funds. 308.31/508.31: Allowed in all fund types. 308.41/508.41: Allowed in all fund types except fiduciary. 308.51/508.51: Allowed in all fund types except fiduciary. *308.91/508.91: Allowed in all fund types except fiduciary. *Only the general fund can report a positive unassigned balance.
3.6.8.10 Changed "Programs must be approved by the behavioral health organization and the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services" to "…secretary of the Department of Health" to match RCW 71.24.555
3.7.1 Updated references to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars 3.7.1.20 Included other federal financial assistance guidance 3.7.1.30 Removed reference to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 3.7.1.30 Added Identification of COVID-19 related awards requirements 3.7.1.41 Removed the Common Rule Administrative Requirements section 3.7.1.51 Removed the OMB Circular A-87 Cost Principals section
Updated section to remove references to reserved/unreserved and replaced with new cash and investment classifications 4.3.12.100 Updated the sample C-4 with new format
Section number updated to 4.14.13 (from 4.8.13). 4.14.13.100 Updated information on reporting pension (264.30) and OPEB liabilities (264.40) 4.14.13.110 Updated the due date instructions to list I.D. Numbers that do not require a due date to be reported.
3952000, Compensation for Loss/Impairment of Capital Assets
3952000, Compensation for Loss/Impairment of Capital Assets Added the following information: Insurance recoveries that are related to storm cleanup and are realized, or are measurable and available, in the same year as the related cleanup expenditures should be netted against those expenditures. Insurance recoveries that are related to cleanup and are recognized in subsequent periods should be reported as other financing sources or extraordinary items, as appropriate.
3132700, Affordable and Supportive Housing Sales and Use Tax
3132700, Affordable and Supportive Housing Sales and Use Tax A new BARS code 3132700 was assigned to code the sales and use tax authroized by the SHB 1406, Laws of 2019.
For BARS codes 5990000, Payments for Refunded Debt, these codes should be used for payments to an escrow agent for refunding debt payments and direct payments of refunded debt (e.g., BANs, refinancing or loans, etc.). Note this correlates to current refundings, advanced refundings utilize 5930000 codes.
Other Increases and Other Decreases in Fund Resources Added BARS Codes 3821000, Refundable Deposits, 3822000, Retainage Deposits, and 5821000, Refund of Deposits, 5822000, Refund of Retainage Deposits to be used for deposits that are not custodial activities. These codes are replacing 3891000, 5891000, 3892000, 5892000 which are no longer valid BARS codes.
3.1.3.10 Updated information about the "Green Book." 3.1.3.30 Added information that states the SAO is not part of the internal control functions of a government. 3.1.3.40 Updated the five components of internal controls. 3.1.3.90 Updated information about the different areas that should be reviewed for creating internal controls.
3.4.16.30 Included information about OPEB reporting requirements, the types of OPEB plans, links to the State Actuary tools used for liability calculations. OPEB liability reporting on the Schedule 09 required in 2019.
Removed "signed" in 3.6.620 b. which now says "A file must be maintained of those payers who have authorized to add moneys to your account electronically including the proceeds form third party vendors for credit card remittances."
Removed "signed" in 3.8.11.20 b. which now says "A file must be maintained of authorizations by payees who have therby agreed to have moneys added to their accounts electronically."
Added the fourth bullet in 3.8.11.30 which now says "Policies and procedures should be in place to validate these authorization to protect resources being transferred electronically."
4.8.5.40 Removed reference to the fact that the SEFA must be prepared on the same basis of accounting since Uniform Guidance does not require the SEFA. 4.8.5.50 Removed references to CFDA 10.665: Title I - Schools and Roads, Title II - Special Projects on Federal Land, Title III - County Projects in the Direct costs of expenditure transactions associated with grants, cost-reimbursement contracts, cooperative agreements, and direct appropriations. 4.8.5.128 Revised the requirements for Disbursements to Subrecipients to "expended" rather than "paid." 4.8.5.130 Updated the exceptions for EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CFDA 66.468) and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CFDA 66.458). 4.8.5.230 Removed Note 8 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 from the SEFA Notes Template.
Created a new note to move the guidance for component units, joint ventures, and related parties. Note - this information was previously located in the "Other Disclosures" note template.
Removed information for related parties, component units or joint ventures. Added information about Pollution Remediation/Retirement of Certain Assets.
Schedule 06 is required for CASH basis cities and towns for FY2019. Optional for CASH basis counties for FY2019, required for FY2020 reporting. Schedule 06 template is available on the BARS Reporting templates page.
Schedule 09
264.40, OPEB Liabilities
Added 264.40 to the Schedule 09 codes for reporting OPEB liabilities.
Schedule 09
263.93, Environmental liabilities
Added 263.93 to the Schedule 09 codes for reporting Environmental liabilities (e.g. pollution remediation, certain asset retirement, etc.).
New account for revenues for Medicaid payments related to an implementation of the Transformation Plans. The addition was communicated on August 1, 2018 in BARS Alert.
The account was divided between internal and external legal services. Within each category were created more separate accounts for different specific legal expenditures. The change will allow governments to analyze and compare costs much more effectively. This also aligns accounting records with procedures auditors are required by professional standards to perform on legal liabilities, so it will help make the audit process more efficient. This change was already announced in 2016 and was not required for the FY 2017 reports; however, the new accounts will be required for 2018 reporting.
Object code 50 was removed and the definitions of object codes 30 and 40 adjusted to include the transactions which were previously reported using object 50. For other details see BARS Alert issued August 1, 2018.
The recent changes in governmental accounting regarding fiduciary activities are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; however we incorporated the required changes in this version of manual. The additional information will be available on our website under Fiduciary Funds in BARS manual.
Also, updated was the discussion of enterprise [400] funds. There are no new reporting requirements and the update expands the current prescription.
The entire section was revised to provide a comprehensive guidance for accounting of capital assets. The update also incorporates the changes to RCW 36.32.210 which removed the annual inventory requirement. This change was communicated on March 21, 2018 in BARS Alert.
This section provides a short overview of other postemployment benefits (OPEB). Starting with financial reports for a fiscal year 2018, all local governments are required to report liabilities related to OPEB, if applicable, in the notes to the financial statements. [This update provides also samples of disclosure regarding OPEB in the Reporting/Notes to Financial Statements section.]
New section was added regarding Equipment Rental and Revolving (ER&R) Fund. This guidance was previously available outside the BARS manual and it is now incorporated into the manual allowing an easy access.
Added a new section to provide a general overview of interfund transactions.
REPORTING
The recent changes in governmental accounting regarding fiduciary activities are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; however we incorporated the required changes in this version of manual. The additional information will be available on our website under Fiduciary Funds in BARS manual.
The following sections were updated 4.1.5.90, 4.1.6.80, 4.3.13 (also includes the change in the pension trust fund title), 4.8.2.50, 4.8.4.30, 4.8.13.50, Note X- Deposits and Investments – paragraph [7]. These changes involved only a title change from agency to custodial funds.
New note Fiduciary Activities was added to explain the change in counties’ reporting of 2017 money held for the special purpose districts. The affected counties were notified in an email dated May 29, 2018. The note is still required for the counties which will be reporting the special purpose districts for the firsttime in 2018. If they reported them in 2017, the note is not longer required.
A new reporting requirements regarding other than pension postemployment benefits (OPEB). Please see the Accounting/Liabilities/Other Postemployment Benefits section for more details.
The local government should prepare either the Schedule 07, Disbursement Activity and Schedule 11, Cash ActivityOR Schedule 06, Summary of Bank Reconciliation for 2018 annual report.
Clarified that the governments should be reporting both short- and long-term liabilities on the Schedule. Also added new ID. Numbers for registered warrants and lines of credits.
The local government should prepare either the Schedule 07, Disbursement Activity and Schedule 11, Cash ActivityOR Schedule 06, Summary of Bank Reconciliation for 2018 annual report.
Revision reflect the clarification for reporting federal grants provided by federal agencies.
Remove discussion regarding ARRA grants.
The example of reporting FEMA grants was updated.
Updated for changes related to reporting the following grants: EPA Drinking Water (CFDA 66.468), Clean Water (CFDA 66.458), USDA Interim Financing (CFDA10.760) and (CFDA 10.766).
Revised rules for reporting grants with missing CFDA numbers.
The Schedule was revised to provide relevant information needed in assessing and auditing governments’ risk management circumstances.
ONLINE FILING
Schedule 09
The Schedule 09, Schedule of Liabilities, includes a new validation check for net pension liabilities. Governments will receive a red flag if they have pension related liabilities but do not report them on the Schedule 09 or if they are using the incorrect ID No.
Overview of Significant Changes – Applicable to the Reporting Year 2017
Topic
Reference
Description of Changes
CHART OF ACCOUNTS
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
3132400, Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT)
Added a new account for revenues from the local sales and use tax dedicated for LIFT projects.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
3340370, State Grant from CRAB
The title was changed to Rural Arterial Program (RAP).
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
3340372, CRAB Road Arterial – Projects
The title was changed to County Arterial Preservation Project (CAPP).
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
335/336
The titles for both categories was revised to State Shared Revenues, Entitlements and Impact Payments.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
3360425, Foundational Public Health Services
A new account was added for 2017 distributions from the DOH.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
3360642, Marijuana Excise Tax Distribution
A new account was added for the distribution of the marijuana excise tax from the State.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
3421000, Law Enforcement Services
The definition was expanded to include payments from the WASP for processing the sex and kidnapping offenders’ registration.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
3670000, Contributions and Donations from Nongovernmental Sources
The definition was clarified regarding connection fees.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
395, Disposition of Capital Assets
Added a clarification regarding use of the account in the proprietary fund.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
398, Insurance Recoveries
The account was split into two 3981, Insurance Recoveries for cash basis governments and 3985, Insurance Recoveries for GAAP. The split was necessary to accommodate reporting by cash basis proprietary funds since the BARS codes in 370 series are not available to them. The revised account 3981 replaces the original 372 code.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
51530, Legal Services
The account was divided between internal and external legal services. Within each category were created more separate accounts for different specific legal expenditures. The change will allow governments to analyze and compare costs much more effectively. This also aligns accounting records with procedures auditors are required by professional standards to perform on legal liabilities, so it will help make the audit process more efficient. This account will be required for 2018 reporting.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
51770, Unemployment Compensation
Changed references to section of the BARS manual to correctly refer the current title (Payroll Accounting vs. Unemployment and Deferred Compensation).
Clarified the definition regarding property insurance.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
51863, General Grants and Financial Assistance to Other Governments
Revised title to General Grants, Financial Assistance and Other Distributions to Local Governments.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
538, Combined Water/Sewer/Solid Waste Utilities
Revised title and definition to correctly reflect RCW 54.16.300 (i.e., Combined Utilities).
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
562, Public Health
The WA State DOH added additional detail accounts 562.11-562.15 for local governments subject to the DOH’s jurisdiction.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
593, Advance Refunding Escrow
Added to the definition a reminder that this account should be reported also for proprietary funds.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
595, Roads/Streets and Other Infrastructure
Added to the definition a reminder that this account should be reported also for proprietary funds.
Revenue/Expenditure/Expense Accounts
599, Payments to Refunded Debt Escrow
Added to the definition a reminder that this account should be reported also for proprietary funds.
Account Structure
1.1.2
The section was revised to discontinue the old terminology regarding the seven-digit account codes (i.e., Prime, BASUB, etc.). The digits are now referred by their location within the code (i.e., first, second, etc.). This change was applied in all places in the BARS manual and the revised sections are not itemized in this listing.
Revenue/Expenditure Accounts Overview
1.14.10
The section was revised to discontinue the old terminology regarding the seven-digit account codes (i.e., Prime, BASUB, etc.). The digits are now referred by their location within the code (i.e., first, second, etc.).
ACCOUNTING
Diversion of County Road Property Tax
3.6.5.20
The BARS previous procedures were revised to better assist compliance with the provisions of the law.
Payroll Accounting
3.8.1
The title was change to Unemployment and DeferredCompensation to better reflect the content of this section. There are no changes in the prescription.
Loans
A new paragraph (3.9.1.30) was added. The paragraph discusses an issue of incorrectly using its own debt instruments as investments.
REPORTING
Reporting Requirements and Filing Instructions for Cities and Counties
4.1.5.10
The reporting matrix was updated to reflect optional reporting of the new Schedule 06.
Fiduciary Fund Resources and Uses Arising from Cash Transactions (C-5)
4.3.13.10, 4.3.13.40, 4.3.13.70
Adding a requirement for counties to include the special purpose districts on the statement C-5.
Also, the format of the statement C-5 was changed. The fiduciary funds should be aggregated according to the fund type (i.e., pension, investment, private-purpose and agency funds plus total column). The instructions and the Online Reporting were updated to incorporate these changes.
Schedule 01
4.8.1.50, 4.8.1.70
Since a requirement for counties to include the special purpose districts on the statement C-5 was added, Schedule 01 has to include data for these districts.
Column 4 – clarified the instruction regarding reporting of revenues and expenses for proprietary funds.
Schedule 06
Schedule 06, Summary of Bank Reconciliation was added. This Schedule is optional for cities and counties for reporting bank activities in the fiscal year 2017. Governments choosing to prepare Schedule 06 do not have to prepare neither Schedule 07 nor 11 for the 2017 fiscal year. Schedule 06 will be required schedule for reporting year ending December 31, 2018.
Schedule 07
Removing the requirement for this schedule, if the city/county choose to prepare Schedule 06.
Schedule 09
Added 4.8.13.71 and 4.8.13.81 regarding reporting loans with forgiveness clause.
Schedule 11
Removing the requirement for this schedule, if the city/county choose to prepare Schedule 06.
Note X – Pension Plans
Additional column for employers’ contributions was added to the matrix.
Note X – Other Disclosures
Added instructions for reporting special items, contingencies and litigations and government combinations.
ONLINE FILING
Annual Street/Road Finance Report
The pilot project with DOT has been extended another year to explore the possibility of an alternative reporting process to the existing Street/Road Finance Report required to filed to DOT for cities and counties.
Fund Balance – Beginning Check
A minimum variance requirement within $1,000 added summarizing Schedule 01 funds reported.
