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GASB proposes changes to irrevocable split-interest agreement guidance

By Ken Tysiac

Please note: This item is from our archives and was published in 2015. It is provided for historical reference. The content may be out of date and links may no longer function.

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GASB proposed changes Friday that are designed to reduce diversity in state and local government accounting for irrevocable split-interest agreements.

In such agreements, a donor transfers assets for the shared benefit of at least two beneficiaries, which often are:

  • A government (such as a public college or university or public health care provider).
  • Another beneficiary designated by the donor.

The donor transfers the assets to either the government or to a separate third party, such as a bank.

GASB is proposing new recognition and measurement guidance in the exposure draft, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Irrevocable Split-Interest Agreements. The proposal addresses when these types of arrangements constitute an asset for accounting and financial reporting purposes when a third party administers the resources.

In addition, the proposal seeks feedback on expanded guidance for such agreements in which the assets are held by the government.

“Irrevocable split-interest agreements can represent a meaningful source of resources for public colleges, universities, and hospitals,” GASB Chairman David Vaudt said in a news release. “The board believes that the proposed guidance will lead to more consistent accounting for these arrangements, which will make the information users have access to more comparable.”

Under the proposal, a government that receives resources under an irrevocable split-interest agreement would be required to recognize:

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  • The assets;
  • A liability related to the other designated beneficiary’s portion of those assets; and
  • A deferred inflow of resources related to the government’s portion of those assets.

When a third party administers the agreement, the proposal would require a government to recognize an asset for its beneficial interest. Revenue would be recognized when a government receives a disbursement under the agreement.

Public comment is due Sept. 18 and can be submitted by email to director@gasb.org.

—Ken Tysiac (ktysiac@aicpa.org) is a JofA editorial director.