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''Not to be confused with [[accounting fund]].''
'''Fund accounting''' is an accounting methodology used primarily in governmental and non-profit entities.
Unlike business accounting, which emphasizes the '''profitability''' of an entity, fund accounting emphasizes the '''accountability''' of funds received.
==General Concepts==
In fund accounting, activities are grouped into various funds. There is always one '''unrestricted fund''' (which captures activity of monies not designated for a specific purpose) and (except for very small non-profits) at least one '''restricted fund''' (capturing activity of funds designated for a specific purpose).
Unlike with a company, where all activity is combined into one set of financial statements, in fund accounting the unrestricted fund (or '''general fund''') and each restricted fund is shown separately. (In practice, the front of the financial statements may have an executive summary showing the unrestricted fund, followed by all other funds consolidated, with detail by fund shown later.)
==State and Local Government==
In state and local governments, funds are categorized into three general groups: '''governmental''', '''proprietary''', and '''fiduciary'''.
===Governmental Funds===
These funds generally include:
*'''General Fund''': This is usually the largest fund, and includes all governmental revenues and expenditures not designated for a specific purpose. For taxpayers, revenues include property and sales taxes, while expenditures include law enforcement, public safety, parks, and general government services. There will be only one general fund.
*'''Special Revenue Fund''': These funds have dedicated revenues which can only be used for a specific purpose, and a government can (and usually does) have several such funds. A common one is a state highway fund, funded by gasoline and other fuel taxes, which can only be used for transportation improvements.
*'''Capital Projects Fund''': These funds are for the acquisition and/or construction of fixed assets (such as a new fire station). As with special revenue funds, commonly a government will have several such funds at any one time. Once a specific project ends, the associated fund ceases to exist.
*'''Debt Service Fund''': These funds (also called '''interest and sinking funds''') account for funds used to pay long-term debts. Bonds issued by a government, to be paid with tax levies over a period of years, nearly always require an associated debt service fund (and each separate bond package will have its own fund). As with capital project funds, once the bonds and associated interest are repaid, the fund ceases to exist.
*'''Permanent Fund''': These funds account for resources (such as endowments) where only the earnings can be spent, and usually only for a specific purpose. An example would be a permanent fund given by a wealthy benefactor to maintain the city founder's house as a museum.
'''Fund accounting''' is an accounting methodology used primarily in governmental and non-profit entities.
Unlike business accounting, which emphasizes the '''profitability''' of an entity, fund accounting emphasizes the '''accountability''' of funds received.
==General Concepts==
In fund accounting, activities are grouped into various funds. There is always one '''unrestricted fund''' (which captures activity of monies not designated for a specific purpose) and (except for very small non-profits) at least one '''restricted fund''' (capturing activity of funds designated for a specific purpose).
Unlike with a company, where all activity is combined into one set of financial statements, in fund accounting the unrestricted fund (or '''general fund''') and each restricted fund is shown separately. (In practice, the front of the financial statements may have an executive summary showing the unrestricted fund, followed by all other funds consolidated, with detail by fund shown later.)
==State and Local Government==
In state and local governments, funds are categorized into three general groups: '''governmental''', '''proprietary''', and '''fiduciary'''.
===Governmental Funds===
These funds generally include:
*'''General Fund''': This is usually the largest fund, and includes all governmental revenues and expenditures not designated for a specific purpose. For taxpayers, revenues include property and sales taxes, while expenditures include law enforcement, public safety, parks, and general government services. There will be only one general fund.
*'''Special Revenue Fund''': These funds have dedicated revenues which can only be used for a specific purpose, and a government can (and usually does) have several such funds. A common one is a state highway fund, funded by gasoline and other fuel taxes, which can only be used for transportation improvements.
*'''Capital Projects Fund''': These funds are for the acquisition and/or construction of fixed assets (such as a new fire station). As with special revenue funds, commonly a government will have several such funds at any one time. Once a specific project ends, the associated fund ceases to exist.
*'''Debt Service Fund''': These funds (also called '''interest and sinking funds''') account for funds used to pay long-term debts. Bonds issued by a government, to be paid with tax levies over a period of years, nearly always require an associated debt service fund (and each separate bond package will have its own fund). As with capital project funds, once the bonds and associated interest are repaid, the fund ceases to exist.
*'''Permanent Fund''': These funds account for resources (such as endowments) where only the earnings can be spent, and usually only for a specific purpose. An example would be a permanent fund given by a wealthy benefactor to maintain the city founder's house as a museum.