Financial Compliance

Calendar of Important Submission Dates

Annual Financial and Compliance Reports

Each year, charter schools, education service centers (ESCs), and school districts must have their annual financial and compliance reports (AFRs) audited by an independent auditor. The resulting AFR must be submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for review.

Depository Contracts

A school district or charter holder must have a depository contract with any bank into which TEA deposits state funds. For requirements and procedures related to depository contracts, select one of the following:

• Charter schools
• School districts

Electronic Submissions

Charter schools, ESCs, and school districts are required to submit their AFRs in electronic format. The electronic format submission consists of two files: a PDF file and a GASB data text file. (The text file is not required from charter schools.) In addition, most charter schools and school districts are required to submit their state compensatory education district and campus improvement plans in a PDF.

Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG)

The FASRG describes the rules of financial accounting for school districts, charter schools, and education service centers.

Financial Exigency

When the financial resources of a school district are insufficient to support its instructional programs or it is unable to finance the full compensation of staff for the current or next fiscal year.

Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST)

The state's school financial accountability rating system ensures that Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. For ratings, requirements, and procedures related to FIRST, select one of the following:

• Charter schools
• School districts

Fiscal Year Start Date Change

The fiscal year of a school district begins on July 1 or September 1, as determined by the board of trustees of the district. To change the fiscal year start date, districts must file a Notification of Intent to Change the Fiscal Year Start Date form with TEA.

Interest on Refunds for Cosmetology and Barber Schools

Each year, the Commissioner must set and publish deterrence-level interest rates on refunds for cosmetology and barber schools in accordance with the Texas Occupations Code.

Public Funds Investment Act Training Exemption

To claim an exemption from investment training requirements, a school district must annually submit an affidavit identifying the exemption criteria that apply to the district.

School Health and Related Services (SHARS)

The SHARS program allows Texas public schools and shared service arrangements (SSAs) to request reimbursement for Medicaid health-related services.

State Allotment Programs Monitoring

The supplemental state program allotments expenditures should be attributed to programs and services to the eligible identified students and/or appropriate strategies on an annual basis. 

State Compensatory Education

State Compensatory Education includes programs and/or services designed to supplement the regular education program for students identified as at risk of dropping out of school. The purpose is to increase the academic achievement and reduce the dropout rate of these students.

Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH)

SAAH contains the official attendance accounting requirements that all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas must meet.

Superintendent Payment Disclosure Form

The Superintendent Payment Disclosure form must be filed with TEA not later than 60 days following execution of an agreement to make payments of any kind to a departing superintendent or any payment under such an agreement, whichever is sooner.

Tax Rate Compliance

A school district may not increase the district's maintenance and operations tax rate to create a surplus for the purpose of paying the district's debt service.

Contact Information for Financial Compliance Staff

The area code for all numbers is 512.

Office of School Finance

Financial Compliance Division

Financial Desk Reviews

Fiscal Reviews

Student Attendance

Financial Accountability

Rule Making