Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Summary of Changes to CSAM 2024 Edition

A reference document of changes included in the November 2024 edition of the California School Accounting Manual (CSAM).
Procedure Summary of Changes

101 Governmental Accounting

  • Incorporated Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement 103, Financial Reporting Model Improvements.
  • Changed the name of the “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report” to “Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,” in accordance with GASB Statement 98, The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

105 Fund Accounting

  • Reclassified “agency funds” to “custodial funds” and updated fund definition in accordance with GASB Statement 84, Fiduciary Activities.

205 The Accounting Cycle

  • Updated the title of Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) Object 9790.

210 Budgetary Accounting

  • Added reference to GASB Statement 103.
  • Added object codes that were implemented in accordance with GASB Statement 87, Leases, and GASB Statement 96, Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements.
  • Non-substantive changes as listed below.

301 Overview of the Standardized Account Code Structure

  • Updated name of California School Directory.
  • Non-substantive changes as listed below.

305 Fund Classification

  • Removed reference to optional funds as there are currently no optional funds for local educational agencies (LEAs) to report.
  • Added Fund 08, Student Activity Special Revenue Fund, established by California Department of Education (CDE) in accordance with GASB Statement 84.
  • Reclassified “agency fund” to “custodial fund” in accordance with GASB Statement 84.
  • Added a common description for custodial funds range consistent with other fund ranges that have a common description.
  • Revised definition of funds 76 and 95 in accordance with GASB Statement 84.

310 Resource (Project/Reporting) Classification

  • Expanded the list of locally defined resource code ranges for completeness.
  • Consolidated the list of revenue object codes that can be used with Unrestricted Resource Code 0000.
  • Added new resource codes implemented since California School Accounting Manual (CSAM) 2019.
  • Added ending dates for newly obsolete resource codes.
  • Removed obsolete resource codes.
  • Updated resource code titles.
  • Updated revenue object code references to reflect the main revenue object code used by the primary recipient.
  • Added a table for resource codes implemented after publication of CSAM 2019 that are obsolete in the current edition for historical purposes.

315 Project Year Classification

  • Updated project years to make examples more current.

320 Goal Classification

  • Added a reference to locally defined goal codes for completeness.
  • Updated for consolidation of Special Education Goals 5750 and 5770 into Goal 5760.
  • Non-substantive changes as listed below.

325 Function Classification

  • Updated references to technology, media types and electronic devices.
  • Removed references to obsolete Special Education Goal 5750.
  • Functions 7190 and 7191: updated threshold for single audit for federal programs pursuant to 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 200.501(b), the Uniform Guidance 2024 Revision dated May 2024.
  • Updated references to types of leases.

330 Object Classification

  • Object 3101-3102, 3201-3202: Referenced Resource 7690, On-Behalf Pension Contributions implemented in accordance with GASB Statement 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions
  • Objects 5000-5999, 7439, 8972, 9667: Updated references to leases in accordance with GASB Statement 87.
  • Added new codes in accordance with GASB Statement 87:
    • Object 6600, Lease Assets
    • Object 6910, Amortization Expense–Lease Assets
    • Object 9380, Lease Receivable
    • Object 9460, Lease Assets
    • Object 9465, Accumulated Amortization—Lease Assets
  • Added new codes in accordance with GASB Statement 96:
    • Object 6700, Subscription Assets
    • Object 6920, Amortization Expense—Subscription Assets
    • Object 8974, Proceeds from subscription-based information technology arrangements (SBITAs).
    • Object 9470, Subscription Assets
    • Object 9475, Accumulated Amortization—Subscription Assets
    • Object 9660, Subscription Liability
  • Added new codes in accordance with GASB Statement 84:
    • Object 7500, Funds Distributed to Others
    • Object range 7501-519, Funds Distributed to Others–Locally Defined
    • Object 8800, Funds Collected for Others
    • Object range 8801–8819, Funds Collected for Others–Locally Defined
  • Non-substantive changes and updates as listed below.

335 School Classification

  • Updated name of California School Directory.
  • Updated information on use of school field.

430 Capital Assets

  • Updated language related to leases in accordance with GASB Statement 87.

465 Liability for Compensated Absences in Governmental Funds

  • Updated in accordance with GASB Statement 101, Compensated Absences.

510 Recognition of Common Revenue Sources

  • Updated references to the Principal Apportionment.
  • Added provision from GASB Implementation Guide No. 2021-1, Implementation Guidance Update–2021.

605 Balance Sheet Accounts—Coding Examples

  • Updated resource codes and titles.
  • Non-substantive changes and updates as listed below.

610 Revenues—Coding Examples

  • Updated examples for consolidation of Special Education Goals 5750 and 5770 into Goal 5760.
  • Non-substantive changes and updates as listed below.

625 Staff Development—Coding Examples

  • Added clarification to existing examples.
  • Added new example for coding of certificated and classified staff attending staff development training, in response to questions received from the LEAs.

630 Technology—Coding Examples

  • Updated references to “computer” and “software” to “technology-based devices” and “electronic equipment.”

640 Transportation—Coding Examples

  • Modified Example 3 for clarity.
  • Updated for consolidation of Special Education Goals 5750 and 5770 into Goal 5760.

655 Employment Separation Costs—Coding Examples

  • Updated for consolidation of Special Education Goals 5750 and 5770 into Goal 5760.
  • Non-substantive changes and updates as listed below.

710 Leases and Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements

  • Updated lease guidance in accordance with GASB Statement 87.
  • Added SBITA guidance in accordance with GASB Statement 96.

715 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANs)

  • Updated the description of the use of TRANs.
  • Non-substantive changes as listed below.

730 Short-Term Borrowing

  • Added clarification regarding the repayment of loans from the county.
  • Included charter schools and county offices of education in the description of lending provisions.

755 Special Education

  • Updated to comply with amendments to Education Code Section 56205 implemented by Statutes of 2018, Chapter 32, Section 93.
  • Updated for consolidation of Special Education Goals 5750 and 5770 into Goal 5760.
  • Removed reference to special education local plan area funding for mental health funding which is now allocated directly to the LEAs.
  • Non-substantive changes as listed below.

765 Recognition of Legal Obligations in Reporting for Federal Grants

  • Added clarifying language in reference to pre-agreement costs.

770 Distinguishing Between Supplies and Equipment

  • Updated “capital lease” to “lease” in accordance with GASB Statement 87.
  • Revised capitalization policy guidance for a group of assets in accordance with GASB Implementation Guide No. 2021-1, Implementation Guidance Update–2021.

775 Accounting for Internal Service Funds

  • Updated example to reflect consolidation of Special Education Goals 5750 and 5770 into Goal 5760.

785 Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions (OPEB)

  • Updated examples to reflect consolidation of Special Education Goals 5750 and 5770 into Goal 5760.

805 Joint Powers Agreements/Agencies (JPAs)

  • Updated contact information for California School Directory.

810 Charter Schools

  • Changed Charter School Alternative Form format from a spreadsheet to a form within the SACS Web financial reporting system.

901 Overview of Cost Accounting

  • Updated reference to funding provided to California LEAs to be more generic, reducing the need for regular updates.

905 Documenting Salaries and Wages

  • Updated reporting frequence per revised Uniform Guidance.

915 Indirect Cost Rate

  • Updated for changes in the 2021 delegation agreement between United States Department of Education (ED) and the CDE.

Appendix B – Normal Balances of Balance Sheet Accounts

  • Updated for added object codes and descriptions, and federal guidance.

Appendix C – Consistency of SACS with the Federal Handbook

  • Added Project Year to list of SACS account code fields.
Appendix D – Function Codes for Common Activities
  • Updated the list of common activities to reflect current technologies.
Glossary
  • Updated terms and definitions in accordance with GASB Statement 84 and GASB Statement 87.
Multiple Procedures

Multiple procedures were updated to incorporate the following non-substantive changes and updates:

  • Updated web page references to reflect correct source pages.
  • Replaced references to the obsolete SACS Software with the new SACS Web financial reporting system.
  • Updated fiscal years used in examples to make examples more current.
  • Added Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to Kindergarten in the SACS code names and examples to reflect implementation of TK pursuant to Education Code Section 48000.
  • Updated statutory and regulatory citations.
  • Corrected punctuation, made minor wording changes for clarity and/or consistency.

The following procedures received only the non-substantive changes or updates:

  • 201: Books of Accounts
  • 215: Audit Adjustments
  • 340: Valid Account Code Combinations
  • 345: Illustrations Using the Account Code Structure
  • 405: Accounting for Inventories
  • 415: Adopting a Stores System
  • 420: Prepaid Expenditures
  • 425: Fair Value: Accounting and Reporting for Certain Investments
  • 615: Expenditures—Coding Examples
  • 635: Cafeteria--Coding Examples
  • 645: County Office of Education—Coding Examples
  • 650: Facility Maintenance Programs—Coding Examples
  • 720: Certificates of Participation (COPs)
  • 725: Emergency Apportionments and Other State Loans
  • 750: Pass-Through Grants
  • 910: Program Cost Accounting
Questions:   Financial Accountability & Information Services | sacsinfo@cde.ca.gov | 916-322-1770
Last Reviewed: Monday, November 25, 2024
Recently Posted in Accounting
  • Bid Threshold Letter (added 06-Dec-2024)
    Letter dated December 6, 2024, detailing the 2025 annual adjustment to bid threshold for contracts awarded by school districts.
  • Liability Limit for Willful Pupil Misconduct (added 06-Dec-2024)
    Letter dated December 6, 2024, to County and District Superintendents, Chief Business Officials, and Charter School Administrators with the Willful Pupil Misconduct Liability Limits.
  • SACS Forum Meeting Minutes, November 2024 (added 04-Dec-2024)
    Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) November 5, 2024 meeting minutes.