Government Accounting

The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board issued a concepts statement exposure draft titled Definition and Recognition of Elements of Accrual-Basis Financial Statements ( www.fasab.gov/pdffiles/ ). It seeks respondents’ views on proposed definitions of certain elements— assets, liabilities, net position, revenue and expense —in such financial statements and on the essential characteristics of assets and liabilities and how they influence the definitions of revenue and expense. FASAB also asks for feedback on the government’s ability to amend laws, recognition criteria and uncertainty about existence and measurement. Comments are due August 5, 2006.