Evolution and current state of financial accounting concepts and standards in the nonbusiness sector

This article presents a condensed history of significant post 1900 developments in nonbusiness financial accounting practices and standards, and highlights some of the major issues in the recent increase in interest and activity in nonbusiness accounting. It includes consideration of federal, state, and local government units along with various types of nongovernmental nonbusiness entities. The initial section of the article traces both the development of fund accounting techniques and the discovery of their inadequacies. Next, the article discusses developments in standard-setting and the search for a sound theoretical foundation. Finally, it presents a current profile of nonbusiness accounting. The article implies that nonbusiness accounting can no longer be treated as a secondary consideration. The nonbusiness sector is a major component of the environment that requires sound financial accounting and reporting standards and practices