Bases of Budgeting

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This term bases of budgeting describes the different ways budgeting, in particular accounting, may be performed. Different bases of budgeting include cash basis and accrual budgeting basis.

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GAO Glossary of Terms and Definition (September 2005)

Bases of Budgeting

Methods for calculating budget figures. Not all methods are mutually exclusive. For example, the federal budget includes both net and gross figures and reports both obligations and cash or cash equivalent spending. As a general rule, budget receipts and outlays are on a cash or cash equivalent basis; however, interest on public issues of public debt is recorded on an accrual basis. Under credit reform, the subsidy cost of both direct loans and guaranteed loans is included in the budget (i.e., the budget records the net present value of the estimated cash flows of direct loans and loan guarantees as outlays). (See also Capital Budget; Direct Loan and Guaranteed Loan under Federal Credit. For a more detailed presentation of this subject, see app. III.)

ACCRUAL BASIS

The basis whereby transactions and events are recognized when they occur, regardless of when cash is received or paid. (See also Accrual Accounting.)

BUDGETING IN RELATION TO TOTALS

Gross Basis. Budgetary totals from which offsetting collections have not been deducted. In customary use, “gross” refers to the sum or total value of a transaction before reduction by applicable offsets. Under this display, totals include obligations and expenditures from offsetting collections and governmental receipts rather than as offsets to outlays. (See also Offsetting Collections and Offsetting Receipts under Collections.)

Net Basis. The use of budgetary totals from which offsetting collections have been deducted. Under this display, budgetary totals include offsetting collections as offsets to obligations and outlays rather than as receipts. (See also Offsetting Collections under Collections.)

CASH OR CASH EQUIVALENT BASIS

The basis whereby receipts are recorded when received and expenditures are recorded when paid, without regard to the accounting period in which the receipts are earned or the costs are incurred. “Cash” generally refers to payment by cash, checks, or electronic funds transfers. “Cash equivalent” refers to the use of an instrument or process that creates a substitute for cash. For example, when the government issues a debt instrument of any kind in satisfaction of claims, the transaction is recorded as simultaneous outlays and borrowing—the outlays when the debt instrument is issued, not when it is redeemed.

OBLIGATIONS BASIS

The basis whereby financial transactions involving the use of funds are recorded in the accounts primarily when goods and services are ordered, regardless of when the resources acquired are to be received or consumed or when cash is received or paid. (See also Liability; Obligation.)

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