Federal Accountability in Changing Times

1. Federal Accountability in Changing Times Tom Allen, FASAB Chairman Bob Dacey, GAO Chief Accountant and FASAB Member

2. Disclaimer • Views expressed are those of the speaker. The Board expresses its views in official publications.

3. Accounting for Social Insurance

4. When does a liability exist for future social insurance benefits? • Liability: a present obligation of the federal government to provide assets or services to another entity at a determinable date, when a specified event occurs, or on demand. (SFFAC 5, par. 39) • A present obligation is incurred when the government takes a specific action or an event occurs that commits or binds the government. (SFFAC 5, par. 42) • …if an item meets the definition of a liability at the reporting date, the power of the government to subsequently change the law so that the item no longer meets the definition does not eliminate the existence of the liability at the reporting date. (SFFAC 5, Par. 17)

5. Historical Controversy • Liability debate centers on whether an obligation exists: • after work in covered employment occurs; • when fully insured status is reached; or • when a payment becomes due and payable. • Liability debate impacts costs recognition: • Costs arise as a result of work; or • Costs arise as benefits are due. • Incremental progress with greater disclosure of information over the years.

6. FY2008 CFR Presented Key Information – Deficit vs Cost

8. Changes in Future Expenditures and Revenues

9. Preserving and Enhancing Current SI Information – A Compromise Proposal • Critical information about costs, assets and liabilities, social insurance commitments, budget flows, and the “fiscal gap” in a section in management’s discussion and analysis devoted to financial statement analysis • A new line item representing the closed group measure that would be presented on the balance sheet below assets, liabilities, and net position and that would not be included in the totals for these classifications • A new summary section for the statement of social insurance presenting the closed and open group summary totals • A new basic financial statement to present the reasons for changes during the reporting period in the closed group measure reported on the statement of social insurance • Disclosure of the accrued benefit obligation (future benefits attributable to work completed as of the balance sheet date)

10. Two Alternative Views • Five members support recognition of a liability greater than the due and payable amounts currently recognized. • Three members do not support: • Presentation of the closed group net present value on the balance sheet, • Analysis of changes in the closed group net present value on the statement of changes in social insurance (instead they would analyze changes in the open group NPV), or • Disclosure of the accrued benefit obligation.

11. Social Insurance Discussion • Questions

12. Fiscal Sustainability Slides • Bob’s Slides will be added here

13. Fiscal Sustainability Discussion • Questions

14. Economic Stabilization Activities • Raises Issues Regarding: • Determination of fair value with government intervention in illiquid markets • Scope of federal reporting – Federal Reserve, GSEs, AIG, etc. • Applicability of Credit Reform accounting and appropriate discount rates • Alternatives for valuing financial instruments • Issues will lead to major projects for FASAB

15. General PP&E Estimation • Proposal to extend guidance in SFFAS 23 regarding the use of estimates for general PP&E • Accounting and Auditing Policy Committee task force developing implementation guidance • Acquisition of PP&E • Use of PP&E • Cleanup Cost • Record Retention

17. Contact and Website Information • General inquiries can be directed to fasab@fasab.gov • Phone: 202 512-7350 • www.FASAB.gov • Listserv • Exposure Drafts • Active Projects