Even though state entities and non-profit organizations utilize similar accounting practices, considering them the same would be a mistake. Understanding the distinctions between government and nonprofit accounting is the only way to achieve congruity with U.S. laws. In this blog post, we will clarify the most prominent differences between these types of accounting to help you achieve full transparency and eliminate possible barriers hindering growth and development.
Understanding Basic Accounting Standards and Regulations
While governmental and philanthropic foundations must adopt Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the former should also follow Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) regulations. The latter must strictly observe the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) rules. The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) oversees both boards.
GAAP principles include general procedures that entities must follow to keep their financial reports mistake-free. GASB exists to set, update, and enhance accounting and financial reporting norms.
GASB guidelines were devised for public officials, venture capitalists, and regular taxpayers who have to submit financial reports. With over 100 governmental accounting standards, deciding on the most relevant ones has a pivotal importance.
The Implementation Guide No. 2023-1 includes guidelines on how to apply GASB when dealing with leases and subscription-based IT services.
The FASB guidelines contain information about the reporting method that can be used by nonprofits. Following fund accounting regulations, entities improve their transparency and attract potential donors. Adhering to FASB rules allows charitable organizations to provide information about:
- Income taxes
- Employee benefits
- Joint ventures
Enhancing financial efficiency makes it easier to attract donors and contribute to the community.
Financial Reporting Requirements
Even though for-profits and philanthropic entities provide quarterly reports, they submit different documents. Gaining in-depth knowledge of government and nonprofit accounting facilitates providing mistake-free balance statements.
Government organizations should compile the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) following GAAP and GASB guidelines. Such reports contain information about the financial status of an entity, including data about the allocation of funds and savings from past periods.
Following nonprofit accounting guidelines necessitates submitting reports to the stakeholders. They typically provide a statement of financial position, cash flows, and activities.
Governmental organizations should present balance sheets and statements of changes, revenues, and expenditures. When providing their statement of net position, nonprofits should make a distinction between two types of net assets:
- With donor restrictions: Funds are provided for a specified period or must be invested in specific projects.
- Without donor restrictions: Funds can be used without any limitations imposed by stakeholders.
The analysis of the financial statements allows donors and other investors to estimate the state of organizational finances and the resources it can access.
Revenue Recognition
According to governmental accounting, public entities recognize revenue when transferring control of products and services to ensure compliance and gain the trust of their stakeholders.
Nonprofits follow FASB standards when recording various types of revenue, which allows them to specify what types of income they earn.
FASB guidelines allow nonprofits to focus on the most crucial information and use the best revenue recognition practices to describe different parameters of revenue streams, including the following:
- Size
- Timing
- Conditions
FASB enables charitable organizations to manage donations while remaining compliant and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction.
Governmental and nonprofit accounting strategies have nothing in common. Embracing efficient revenue recognition practices enables companies to minimize risks during audits. Nonprofits use multiple types of transactions:
- Exchanges: Firms receive payments for their products of commensurate value.
- Contributions: If operations are beneficial to recipients, FASB considers them as contributions. In this case, donors do not receive any value in return.
Other revenue streams come from selling merchandise, launching membership programs, and selling tickets to fundraising events.
Compliance and Auditing
Regulators develop for-profit accounting standards. Entities with federal financial assistance expenses exceeding $750,000 during a fiscal year have to undergo a Single Audit. Government entities must report all grants to maintain compliance.
Under FASB 117, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sets the main guidelines for nonprofits. Entities exceeding a specific revenue limit must file an annual report (Form 990). Besides, they are obliged to follow donor reporting guidelines.
Final Words
A failure to consider the difference between government and nonprofit accounting may result in a host of negative consequences. Do you want to improve the financial transparency of your business? Leverage BooksTime’s expertise to ensure compliance and keep your organization afloat!
