Notification of the Release of Adopted FASRG Version 17

Date:  July 22, 2021
Subject: Notification of the Release of Adopted FASRG Version 17
Category: Informational Update
Next Steps:  Share with appropriate staff

 

The Texas Education Agency has published adopted version 17 of the Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG). This letter is to inform local education agencies (LEAs) of that adoption. 

Adopted by reference in 19 Texas Administrative Code §§109.41 and 109.5001, the FASRG describes the rules of financial accounting for school districts, charter schools, and education service centers. 

Significant updates included in FASRG version 17 are disclosed in the table below. 

FASRG Version 17 Adopted Updates Table 

 

Module/Section

Type of Update

Description of Update

FAR Appendix A, A.2 Fund Codes 

Module 3, 3.2 Net Asset Account Codes

Added

New fund codes 266, 277, 278, 281, and 282 added to account for federal Elementary Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) stimulus funds granted to LEAs.

FAR Appendix A, A.2 Fund Codes 

Module 3, 3.2 Net Asset Account Codes

Added

New fund codes 269 and 345 added to account for federal Small, Rural School Achievement Program funds granted to LEAs.

Module 1, Financial Accounting and Reporting 

FAR Appendices A through I

Amended

The term agency funds is replaced with the term custodial funds, in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement (GASB) 84.

FAR Appendix H, Campus Activity Funds

Added

New Appendix H added to discuss campus activity funds.

FAR Appendix A, A.4.6 Object Codes 

Module 3, 3.4.5 Expense Object Codes

Amended

Allowable costs for object codes 6411 and 6412, Travel, Training, and Subsistence, now include virtual and in-person trainings, conferences, and seminars.

FAR Appendix A, A.4.6 Object Codes 

Module 3, 3.4.5 Expense Object Codes

Amended

Eligible costs coded to object code 6499 must exclude costs for professional development fees. LEAs will need to use other object codes designated to code expenditure and expenses for professional development.

FAR Appendix A, A.8.4 Program Intent Codes (PICs) 

Module 3, 3.8.4 PICs

Amended

Costs for PIC 25 now include salaries for paraprofessional and teacher aides required for smaller class size. In addition, the definition for supplemental staff now includes paraprofessional and teacher aides.

FAR Appendix A, A.3 Function Codes

Deleted

Function code 98 is unavailable for use by LEAs to code funds.

Module 5, Purchasing

Amended

Incorporated current statutes, laws, and rules enacted by the 86th Texas Legislature, and removed outdated references.

 

For a complete list of the changes made to the FASRG, please view the Change Document

Next Steps 

LEAs must incorporate applicable changes adopted in FASRG version 17 into their daily financial accounting practices. All statutes, laws, rules, and authoritative guidance that LEAs must adhere to are not in the FASRG; however, each LEA must ensure that it is knowledgeable and compliant with all applicable regulations and authoritative guidance. 

Questions 

For questions regarding the FASRG, please contact the Division of Financial Compliance by phone at (512) 463-9095 or email financialaccountability@tea.texas.gov

Sincerely, 

David Marx, CPA 
Director, Financial Compliance