Chapter 17 - Governmental Entities: Introduction and General Fund Accounting
Chapter 17
Governmental Entities: Introduction and General Fund Accounting
Multiple Choice Questions
1.Under the modified accrual basis of accounting, revenue should be recognized when it is:
A.measurable and earned.
B.received in cash.
C.available and earned.
D.measurable and available.
2.Which of the following statements is(are) correct about the funds used by governmental entities?
A.I only
B.II only
C.I and II
D.Neither I nor II
3.Which of the following funds should use the accrual basis of accounting?
A.Enterprise and private-purpose trust funds.
B.Permanent funds and internal service funds.
C.Debt service and agency funds.
D.Special revenue and capital projects funds.
4.Which of the following funds should use the modified accrual basis of accounting?
A.Private-purpose trust and agency funds.
B.Capital projects and special revenue funds.
C.Internal service and enterprise funds.
D.Debt service and private-purpose trust funds.
5.Which of the following funds are classified as fiduciary funds?
A.Agency and Special revenue funds.
B.Internal service and Enterprise funds.
C.Private-purpose trust and Agency funds.
D.Capital projects and Debt service funds.
6.Which of the following funds are classified as proprietary funds?
A.Agency and special revenue funds.
B.Enterprise and internal service funds.
C.Debt service and capital projects funds.
D.Agency and pension trust funds.
7.Which of the following funds are classified as governmental funds?
A.Internal service and capital projects funds.
B.Internal service and debt service funds.
C.Enterprise and agency funds.
D.The general and special revenue funds.
8.Which organization has the authority to establish generally accepted accounting principles for state and local government entities?
A.The National Council on Governmental Accounting
B.The Governmental Accounting Standards Board
C.The Financial Accounting Standards Board
D.The Municipal Officers Finance Organization
9.What is the correct sequence in the expenditure process in governmental accounting?
A.Appropriation, Encumbrance, Expenditure, and Disbursement.
B.Encumbrance, Expenditure, Disbursement, and Appropriation.
C.Expenditure, Encumbrance, Disbursement, and Appropriation.
D.Appropriation, Expenditure, Encumbrance, and Disbursement.
10.Which of the following observations concerning encumbrances is NOT true?
A.Their purpose is to ensure that the expenditures within a period do not exceed the budgeted appropriations.
B.They provide a control system and safeguard for governmental unit administrators.
C.They are a unique element of governmental accounting.
D.They are recognized only at the time disbursements are made.
11.The City of Ames uses the consumption method to report its inventory of supplies on its general fund balance sheet. What account is debited in the general fund when Ames acquires supplies?
A.Expenditures
B.Inventory of Supplies
C.Supplies Expense
D.Fund Balance-Reserved for Inventories
12.On July 25, 2008, the city of Pullman, which reports on a calendar-year basis, ordered five police cars at an estimated cost of $200,000. On August 26, 2008, the police cars were received, and the actual cost amounted to $197,000. Pullman encumbered the appropriation for police cars in its general fund when the cars were ordered. When the police cars were received, the general fund of Pullman should:
A.Credit Budgetary Fund Balance Reserved for Encumbrances for $197,000.
B.Debit Encumbrances for $200,000.
C.Debit Expenditures for $197,000.
D.Credit Budgetary Fund Balance Reserved for Expenditures for $200,000.
13.What amount should be reported as expenditures for the current fiscal year when accounting for inventories of supplies under the purchase method and under the consumption method?
A.Option A
B.Option B
C.Option C
D.Option D
14.The Town of Pasco has no supplies inventory in its general fund on January 1, 2008. During 2008, Pasco incurred expenditures of $200,000 for the acquisition of supplies. On December 31, 2008, Pasco's inventory of supplies amounted to $30,000. Assume Pasco uses the purchase method of accounting for supplies in its general fund and that the village reports on the calendar year. On December 31, 2008, the general fund of Pasco should credit:
A.Expenditures for $170,000.
B.Fund Balance-Unreserved for $170,000.
C.Fund Balance-Reserved for Inventories for $30,000.
D.Expenditures for $30,000.
15.Which of the following funds provides goods and services only to other departments or agencies of the government on a cost-reimbursement basis?
A.Internal service funds
B.Enterprise funds
C.Special revenue funds
D.The general fund
16.The following information was obtained from the general fund balance sheet of Lima Village on June 30, 2009, the close of its fiscal year:
On June 30, 2009, what was Lima's unreserved fund balance in its general fund?
A.$84,000
B.$44,000
C.$34,000
D.$24,000
17.The general fund of Park City acquired computer equipment at a cost of $50,000 on May 18, 2009. To record acquisition of this equipment, the general fund of Park City should debit:
A.expenditures.
B.encumbrances.
C.equipment.
D.vouchers payable.
18.Which of the following characteristics are emphasized in the accounting for state and local government entities?
I. Revenues should be matched with expenditures to measure success or failure of the government entity.
II. There is an emphasis on expendability of resources to accomplish objectives of the governmental entity.
A.I only
B.II only
C.I and II
D.Neither I nor II
19.Works of art and historical treasures purchased by the general fund should be reported as:
A.I only.
B.II only.
C.Both I and II
D.Neither I nor II.
20.Identify the legal term that allows the general fund to make expenditures.
A.Exceptions
B.Appropriations
C.Encumbrances
D.Consumption
21.Under the modified accrual basis of accounting for the general fund, expenditures should be recognized in the period in which the related liability is:
A.I only
B.II only
C.Both I and II
D.Neither I nor II
22.In accounting for governmental funds, which of the following items could appear only on government-wide financial statements?
A.I only
B.I and II
C.I and III
D.I, II, III
23.The general fund of Hatteras acquired a fire truck during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. The purchase order for the fire truck was recorded on February 15, 2009. Hatteras' acquisition of the fire truck required which of the following sequences of accounting activities?
I. Appropriation
II. Encumbrance
III. Expenditure
A.II, I, III.
B.I, III, II.
C.III, II, I.
D.I, II, III.
24.Blue Ridge Township uses the consumption method of accounting for its inventory of supplies. On the December 31, 2007 balance sheet for the general fund, the township reported $10,000 of supplies inventory. During 2008, expenditures for supplies amounted to $40,000, and, at December 31, 2008, unused supplies totalled $7,000. In the adjusting entry for supplies at December 31, 2008,
A.Expenditures should be credited for $3,000.
B.Expenditures should be debited for $3,000.
C.Fund Balance-Reserved for Inventories should be debited for $7,000.
D.Fund Balance-Reserved for Inventories should be credited for $7,000.
Gotham City acquires $25,000 of inventory on November 1, 2007, having held no inventory previously. On December 31, 2007, the end of Gotham City's fiscal year, a physical count shows $8,000 still in stock. During 2008, $6,500 of this inventory is used, resulting in a $1,500 remaining balance of supplies on December 31, 2008.
25.Based on the preceding information, which of the following would be the correct account balances for 2007 if Gotham City used the purchase method of accounting for inventories?
A.Option A
B.Option B
C.Option C
D.Option D
26.Based on the preceding information, which of the following would be the correct account balances for 2008 if Gotham City used the purchase method of accounting for inventories?
A.Option A
B.Option B
C.Option C
D.Option D
27.Based on the preceding information, which of the following would be the correct account balances for 2007 if Gotham City used the consumption method of accounting for inventories?
A.Option A
B.Option B
C.Option C
D.Option D
28.Based on the preceding information, which of the following would be the correct account balances for 2008 if Gotham City used the consumption method of accounting for inventories?
A.Option A
B.Option B
C.Option C
D.Option D
29.Which of the following accounts are debited when closing entries are made for the general fund (assume outstanding encumbrances lapse at year-end)?
A.I, II, III, VI.
B.I, II, IV.
C.I, IV, V, VI.
D.III, IV, V.
30.The general fund of the City of Columbia transferred money to establish an internal service fund for the city's data processing needs. The general fund of Columbia should account for this transaction as a(n):
A.expenditure.
B.interfund transfer.
C.interfund reimbursement.
D.loan.
31.In a town's general fund operating budget for the year, the amount of its estimated revenues exceeded the amount of its appropriations. This excess should be:
A.credited to Budgetary Fund Balance-Unreserved.
B.debited to Budgetary Fund Balance-Unreserved.
C.credited to Fund Balance-Unreserved.
D.debited to Fund Balance-Unreserved.
32.The general fund of the Town of Dean levied property taxes of $3,000,000 for the fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2008. It was estimated that 1% of the levy would be uncollectible. During the period January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008, $2,960,000 of the property tax levy was collected. At December 31, 2008, Dean estimated that $10,000 of property taxes levied in 2008 would be collected during the first 60 days of 2009. What amount of property tax revenue should be reported by the general fund for the year ended December 31, 2008?
A.$2,960,000
B.$3,000,000
C.$2,970,000
D.$2,990,000
33.The general fund of the City of Atlanta received a check for $10,000 from an Atlanta resident on July 1, 2008. Of the amount received, $4,800 represented full payment of property taxes for 2008, and the remaining $5,200 represented an advance payment for property taxes of 2009. On July 1, 2008, the general fund should record the receipt by debiting Cash for $10,000 and by crediting
A.Revenue-Property Tax for $10,000.
B.Property Taxes Receivable-Current for $4,800 and Deferred Revenue for $5,200.
C.Revenue-Property Tax for $4,800 and Deferred Revenue for $5,200.
D.Property Taxes Receivable-Current for $4,800 and Revenue- Property Tax for $5,200.
34.The general fund of Caldwell had the following operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009:
When the general fund records its operating budget on July 1, 2009, Budgetary Fund Balance-Unreserved should be
A.credited for $600,000.
B.debited for $900,000.
C.debited for $600,000.
D.credited for $900,000.
35.The general fund of Richmond was billed $22,000 on August 15, 2008, for using the services of one of its internal service funds (ISF). What accounts should be debited and credited, respectively, in the general fund on August 15, 2008, to record this transaction?
A.Expenditures and Transfer Out to ISF
B.Expenditures and Due to ISF
C.Encumbrances and Due to ISF
D.Encumbrances and Transfer Out to ISF
36.The general fund of Battle Creek budgeted a transfer to its capital projects fund for $110,000 to be used in operations during the year ended June 20, 2009. On September 15, 2008, the general fund transferred $110,000 to the capital projects fund. What account should be debited in the general fund on September 15 to record this transfer?
A.Appropriations
B.Expenditures
C.Budgetary Fund Balance—Reserved For Encumbrances
D.Other Financing Uses—Transfer Out to Capital Projects Fund
37.The general fund of Sun City was billed $7,000 for using the services of one of its internal service funds. The general fund should account for this transaction as a(n)
A.interfund transfer.
B.interfund loan.
C.interfund service.
D.interfund reimbursement for services rendered.
38.The general fund of Athens ordered computer equipment on December 1, 2008, for $32,000. The order was appropriately encumbered on this date. Athens received the computer equipment on January 25, 2009, and issued a voucher to pay the vendor $32,400. Athens uses the calendar year for reporting, and all outstanding encumbrances lapse at year-end. Athens' governing board honors all outstanding encumbrances by including them in the following year's appropriations. On January 25, 2009, the general fund of Athens should debit:
A.Encumbrances for $32,000.
B.Fund Balance-Reserved for Encumbrances for $32,400.
C.Expenditures-2008 for $32,400.
D.Expenditures for $32,400.
39.The general fund of Loveland ordered a new fire truck on November 12, 2008, for $150,000. The order was appropriately encumbered on this date. Loveland received the fire truck on January 15, 2009, and issued a voucher to the manufacturer for $148,600. Loveland uses the calendar year for reporting, and outstanding encumbrances at December 31, 2008, are lapsing. On January 15, 2009, the general fund of Loveland should debit:
A.Fund Balance-Reserved for Encumbrances for $148,600.
B.Expenditures for $148,600.
C.Expenditures-2008 for $148,600.
D.Encumbrances for $148,600.
40.Which combination of fund and measurement basis is correct?
A.Option A
B.Option B
C.Option C
D.Option D
41.The general fund of Wold Township ordered office furniture for the mayor's office on August 1, 2008. The office furniture was estimated to cost $12,000. The office furniture was received on September 1, 2008, with the actual cost being $11,800. Which of the following accounts decreased on September 1, 2008?
A.Encumbrances only.
B.Expenditures only.
C.Encumbrances and Budgetary Fund Balance-Reserved for Encumbrances.
D.Expenditures and Budgetary Fund Balance-Reserved for Encumbrances.
42.At the end of the fiscal year, uncollected property taxes in the general fund should be:
A.reclassified from current to delinquent.
B.written off as uncollectible.
C.charged against unreserved fund balance.
D.reclassified from current to noncurrent.
43.The Town of Baker reported the following items on the June 30, 2009, balance sheet of its general fund:
At June 30, 2009, what amount should be reported for Fund Balance-Unreserved?
A.$46,000
B.$40,000
C.$30,000
D.$16,000
44.Which of the financial statements described below is prepared by the general fund of a state or local government?
A.A statement of cash flows.
B.An income statement.
C.A statement of revenues, expenses, and changes in retained earnings.
D.A statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balance.
45.Which accounts described below would have non-zero balances after the accounts are closed in the general fund of a state or local government?
A.I, II, III.
B.I, II, IV.
C.IV, V, VI.
D.III, IV, V.
46.Due to an error, the general fund of Pueblo did not record an encumbrance for police equipment which had been ordered but not received on June 30, 2009, the end of its fiscal year. Pueblo's outstanding encumbrances at year-end are nonlapsing. What was the effect of this error on the balance sheet of Pueblo's general fund?
A.Assets are overstated.
B.Liabilities are understated.
C.Total fund balance is overstated.
D.Unreserved fund balance is overstated.
47.In a statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balance, the unreserved fund balance will be increased by:
I. a decrease in the fund balance reserved for inventories.
II. an excess of other financing sources over other financing uses.
A.I only
B.II only
C.Both I and II
D.Neither I nor II
48.Assuming there is a budget surplus, which of the following accounts are credited when the general fund records its operating budget at the beginning of the year?
A.Appropriations Control and Budgetary Fund Balance—Unreserved.
B.Estimated Revenues Control and Estimated Residual Equity Transfer Out.
C.Budgetary Fund Balance—Reserved For Encumbrances and Expenditures.
D.Estimated Residual Equity Transfer Out and Estimated Transfer In.
49.Revenues from parking meters and parking fines should be reported in the general fund when:
A.received.
B.measurable and available.
C.measurable and earned.
D.available.
50.The general fund of Gillette levied property taxes of $400,000 on November 1, 2008. However, the property taxes are not collectible until May and August of 2009. Assume Gillette reports on the calendar year. On Gillette's general fund balance sheet at December 31, 2008, the property taxes levied on November 1 should:
A.be reported as an asset and as a decrease in unreserved fund balance.
B.be reported as an asset and as an increase in unreserved fund balance.
C.be reported as an asset and as a reservation of fund balance.
D.be reported as an asset and as a deferred revenue.
51.Which of the following items should not be included as revenue for a state government?
A.Property taxes levied in the current fiscal year.
B.Private property for which a state takes custody when the legal owner cannot be found.
C.Amounts received from other financing sources.
D.Fines and licensing fees for which amounts cannot be budgeted.
52.GASB 31 "Accounting for Financial Reporting for Certain Investments and for External Reporting Investment Pools," establishes a general rule that government entities value investments in option contracts, open-ended mutual funds, and debt securities for balance sheet presentation at:
A.lower of cost or market.
B.fair value.
C.cost.
D.amortized cost.
53.All of the following funds have a financial resources measurement focus with the exception of which fund?
A.debt service fund
B.special revenue fund
C.capital projects fund
D.private-purpose trust fund
54.When an internal service fund (ISF) enters into a capital lease the transaction is recorded in the:
I. fixed assets of the ISF.
II. long-term debt of the ISF.
A.I only
B.II only
C.Both I and II
D.Neither I nor II
55.Which of the following items is not recognized as revenue by a governmental unit?
A.sales tax proceeds
B.property tax levies
C.bond proceeds
D.grants received from other governmental units
56.GASB 34 established four types of interfund activities. Interfund activities are recognized as revenue in a governmental fund for an:
A.Option A
B.Option B
C.Option C
D.Option D
57.The general ledger of Broadway contains the following selected account balances:
Broadway wants to order additional goods and services before the fiscal year end. What is the unencumbered balance of the budget that may be expended by Broadway?
A.$850,000
B.$760,000
C.$180,000
D.$130,000
58.At any time, the remaining appropriating authority available to the fund managers is equal to:
A.Appropriations minus Expenditures
B.Appropriations minus (Encumbrances + Expenditures)
C.Appropriations minus (Encumbrances - Expenditures)
D.Appropriations minus Encumbrances
59.Which of the following observations concerning interfund transfers is true?
A.They are expected to be repaid.
B.They are classified as fund revenues or expenditures.
C.The receiving fund recognizes these transfers as revenue.
D.These transfers are classified under "Other Financing Sources or Uses."
60.According to the latest GASB exposure draft, which of the following is the only governmental fund type that may report an unassigned fund balance?
A.General fund
B.Special revenue fund
C.Capital projects fund
D.Permanent fund
61.Which governmental fund includes resources that are legally restricted so that the governmental entity must maintain the principal and can use only the earnings from the fund's resources to benefit the government's programs for all of its citizens?
A.General fund
B.Special revenue fund
C.Capital projects fund
D.Permanent fund
Essay Questions
62.Briefly discuss the various types of governmental funds and proprietary funds.