What Does Encumbered Mean in Accounting? Chron com

The term “basis of accounting” is used to describe the timing of recognition, that is, when the effects of transactions or events should be recognized. The basis of accounting used for purposes of financial reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) is https://www.bookstime.com/articles/construction-in-progress-accounting not necessarily the same basis used in preparing the budget document. Disparities between GAAP and the budgetary basis of accounting often occur because regulations governing budgeting (e.g., laws or ordinances of the state, county, city, or some other jurisdiction) differ from GAAP.

Explaining the major differences between the basis of accounting used in the budget document and the basis of accounting used in the GAAP financial statements helps stakeholders better understand and interpret the numbers presented in both documents. Likewise, providing a documented reconciliation of the two bases of accounting can help to prevent errors from occurring when the budget is prepared or interpreted. When it comes time to pay necessary encumbered funds, encumbrance accounting the “encumbrance” disappears in that amount and becomes an actual expense. As the company rolls through the budgeted year, the amount actually spent rises and the encumbered funds declines. If the projected spending declines (for example, when an employee quits), then an accountant can adjust the amount of encumbered funds downward. Salaries and benefits make up an important part of encumbered funds, suggests the cloud spend management system Purchase Control.

What Does AFE Mean in Accounting?

A company must pay its employees regular wages and provide promised benefits such as health insurance. If a company plans to do more hiring, it must increase the amount encumbered for salaries. Some businesses also have to project commission costs paid to representatives and independent contractors, which will vary with the amount of sales. Although an encumbrance may appear as part of a company budget, the actual spending may still have to go through an approval process. The company may require that an officer or controller sign off on a requisition or purchase order before any funds – encumbered or not – are disbursed.

Disparities may include basis differences, timing differences, fund structure differences, and entity differences. The description of the differences between the GAAP basis of accounting and the budgetary basis of accounting should be written in a manner that is clearly understandable to those without expertise in either accounting or budgeting. In cases where the use of technical accounting terms cannot be avoided, those terms should be clearly defined and fully explained. An understanding of the GAAP basis of accounting is critical to the proper budgeting of available financial resources.