Brief Overview
The Basic Financial Statements are prepared by the City of Boston Auditing Department. This report is audited by a firm of independent Certified Public Accountants and published within six months of the end of the fiscal year. The publication of these reports represents the final closing of the books on the statutory basis and the conclusion of financial activity. These reports are presented in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. They are intended to satisfy the requirements in state finance law and the Government Auditing Standards Board (GASB), to present fairly the results of governmental activities, the business-type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information.
In accordance with state law and regulations, the City’s legally adopted general fund budget is prepared on a “statutory” basis instead of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The “statutory” basis of accounting is defined in Massachusetts’ law. This basis of accounting is typically used to budget and control daily fiscal operations of the City. The difference in accounting principles inevitably leads to varying results in excess or deficiency of revenue over expenditures. Additional information and a reconciliation of “statutory” basis to GAAP are provided in the financial statements.
The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is prepared by the Auditing Department. Prior to fiscal 2008 this report is presented in three sections: (1) the Introductory Section includes general information about the City and summarizes financial activity for the fiscal year; (2) the Financial Section includes the Independent Auditors’ Report on the City’s Basic Financial Statements, Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), the Basic Financial Statements, the Combining and Individual Fund Financial Statements and Schedules for the various funds including required supplemental information; and (3) the Statistical Section includes financial data, debt computations, and a variety of demographic, economic and supplemental statistical information concerning the City.
Should you have any further questions, concerns or comments, please contact the Auditing Department.
Submitted by,
Sally D. Glora
City Auditor
Contact the Auditing Department
