NEWS RELEASE 08/26/11

GASB Proposes Recognition of Specific Items as Deferred Outflows and Deferred Inflows of Resources

Norwalk, CT, August 26, 2011 — The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) today issued an Exposure Draft intended to apply its conceptual definitions of deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources elements to a broader range of items in order to enhance consistency in state and local government financial statements. The proposed Statement, Reporting Items Previously Recognized as Assets and Liabilities, would reclassify or recognize certain items currently being reported as assets and liabilities as one of four financial statement elements—deferred outflows of resources, outflows of resources, deferred inflows of resources, or inflows of resources.

Currently, many items that appear to meet the definition of deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources according to Concepts Statement No. 4, Elements of Financial Statements, are not specifically identified as such throughout the GASB’s authoritative literature. Because the Concepts Statement specifies that recognition of deferred outflows and deferred inflows should be limited to those instances identified in authoritative GASB pronouncements, guidance is needed to determine which balances should be reported as deferred outflows of resources or deferred inflows of resources rather than as assets or liabilities.

"There is a clear need for guidance that clarifies what items meet the definition of a deferred outflow of resources or a deferred inflow of resources," states GASB Chairman Robert H. Attmore. "This proposed Statement identifies the items that the Board has determined meet its conceptual definitions of the elements of a statement of financial position. We encourage stakeholders to review and comment on whether they agree or disagree with our conclusions."

The requirements of this proposed Statement would be effective for periods beginning after June 15, 2012, with earlier application encouraged.

Copies of the Exposure Draft, including instructions on how to provide written comments to the GASB, may be downloaded free of charge from www.gasb.org. The comment deadline is November 18, 2011.


About the Governmental Accounting Standards Board

The GASB is the independent, not-for-profit organization formed in 1984 that establishes and improves financial accounting and reporting standards for state and local governments. Its seven members are drawn from the Board's diverse constituency, including preparers and auditors of government financial statements, users of those statements, and members of the academic community. More information about the GASB can be found at its website www.gasb.org.