Fund Accounting Fundamentals

Public Sector Accounting (PSAS) · 3:40

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When donations come through the door
Some have strings, some have none for sure
Donors say "use this money here"
That's restricted, crystal clear
Board decides where freedom flows
Unrestricted, that's how it goes
Segregation is the key
Keep them separate, you will see

[Chorus]
Restricted funds stay in their lane
Donor's purpose must remain
Unrestricted funds can roam
Where the board calls them home
R-E-S means "do not touch"
Till you've done what donors clutch
Fund accounting keeps it straight
Separate books, that's NFP fate

[Verse 2]
Temporarily restricted here
Till conditions disappear
Build that playground, teach that class
Once complete, restrictions pass
Permanently restricted too
Endowments that must stay true
Principal locked forever more
Only earnings hit the floor

[Chorus]
Restricted funds stay in their lane
Donor's purpose must remain
Unrestricted funds can roam
Where the board calls them home
R-E-S means "do not touch"
Till you've done what donors clutch
Fund accounting keeps it straight
Separate books, that's NFP fate

[Bridge]
Net assets tell the tale
Three categories never fail
Without restrictions running free
With restrictions, category three
Time and purpose drive the game
Donor intent we must maintain

[Verse 3]
Revenue recognition waits
Till restrictions dissipate
Released from restrictions then
Back to unrestricted pen
Financial statements show them all
Segregated, standing tall
Compliance keeps the mission right
Fund accounting shining bright

[Final Chorus]
Restricted funds stay in their lane
Donor's purpose must remain
Unrestricted funds can roam
Where the board calls them home
Track the money, know its source
Let restrictions run their course
Fund accounting keeps it straight
That's the NFP mandate

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