GASB Releases Investment Reporting Updates

The statement is effective for financial statements prepared by state and local governments for periods beginning after June 15, 2010, with earlier application encouraged, GASB said. 

Statement 59 includes the following guidance:  

• Emphasizes the applicability of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requirements to certain external investment pools—known as 2a7-like pools—to provide users more consistent information on qualifying pools;  
• Addresses the applicability of Statement No. 53, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Derivative Instruments, to certain financial instruments to clarify which financial instruments are within the scope of that pronouncement and to provide greater consistency in financial reporting; and  
• Applies the reporting provisions for interest-earning investment contracts of Statement No. 31, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Certain Investments and for External Investment Pools, to unallocated insurance contracts to improve the consistency of reporting by pension and OPEB plans.  

“Statement 59 addresses significant practice issues that have arisen when accounting for financial instruments,” stated GASB Chairman Robert H. Attmore, in a news release. “By increasing the consistency of measurements and providing clarification of existing standards, this guidance will improve financial reporting in ways that benefit both users and preparers of financial reports.”  

GASB Statement 59 is available for purchase at www.gasb.org.