Statement No. 98
The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
(Issued 10/21)
This Statement establishes the term annual comprehensive financial report and its acronym ACFR. That new term and acronym replace instances of comprehensive annual financial report and its acronym in generally accepted accounting principles for state and local governments.
This Statement was developed in response to concerns raised by stakeholders that the common pronunciation of the acronym for comprehensive annual financial report sounds like a profoundly objectionable racial slur. This Statement’s introduction of the new term is founded on a commitment to promoting inclusiveness.
Effective Date
The requirements of this Statement are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2021. Earlier application is encouraged.
How the Board Considered Costs and Benefits in the Development of This Statement
One of the principles guiding the Board’s setting of standards for accounting and financial reporting is the assessment of expected benefits and perceived costs. The Board strives to determine that its standards address significant user needs and that the costs incurred through the application of its standards, compared with possible alternatives, are justified when compared to the expected overall public benefit.
Little direct cost will be incurred as a result of instituting the new term. Moreover, there will be no direct benefits in the form of new or improved information for making decisions or assessing accountability. However, establishing a new name for the financial report in response to the concerns of stakeholders benefits all stakeholders. The Board believes that those benefits are qualitative and justify the costs that will result from implementing the new term.
Unless otherwise specified, pronouncements of the GASB apply to financial reports of all state and local governmental entities, including general purpose governments; public benefit corporations and authorities; public employee retirement systems; and public utilities, hospitals and other healthcare providers, and colleges and universities. Paragraph 2 discusses the applicability of this Statement.