Handbook of Governmental Accounting: (Public Administration and Public Policy)

Demystifying a growing and dynamic field, Handbook of Governmental Accounting reflects the increasing complexity of this area, enabling readers to grasp the intricate accounting that is involved as government expenditures multiply and governments engage in progressively complex transactions. Drawing on the expertise of a distinguished group of contributors, the book begins with a discussion of the growth of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), providing a historical perspective which highlights the greater levels of accountability in government finance. It covers governmental funds, proprietary funds, and fiduciary funds. It also reviews governmental financial reporting and examines the process of auditing governmental entities. While the majority of the chapters relate to state and local governments in the United States, the book also provides insight into federal accounting and international public sector accounting standards. Presenting numerous useful charts and sample budget outlines, this book provides concrete guidance in an area that has increased in complexity as governmental accountability takes on a heightened priority.

Table of Contents:
The Growth of GAAP. Progressive Government Budgeting. Expenditures and Revenues in U.S. Governments. Fund Accounting.The General Fund. Debt Service Funds. Capital Projects Funds. Proprietary Funds. Fiduciary Funds. Governmental Financial Reporting. Governmentwide Financial Benchmarks for State Governments. Auditing Governmental Entities. Federal Accounting and Financial Reporting. International Public Sector Accounting Standards. Index.

About the Author :
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg, Middletown, USA National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan

Review :
"The chief objective of this handbook is to contribute to the readers’ appreciation and understanding of governmental accounting. The handbook encompasses the latest developments in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), budgeting, fund accounting, financial reporting, and auditing requirements for governmental entities. It is a complete manual to a wide range of governmental accounting topics that fall under the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 34 reporting model and subsequent statements, which have significantly changed governmental financial statements’ presentation." —From Editor Frederic B. Bogui "The list of contributors is impressive, both in length and qualifications . . . the pieces fit together well, covering all significant areas of governmental accounting and doing so at an impressive level of depth and detail." – F. A. Marino, Assumption College, in Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, June 2009, Vol. 46, No. 10