Don, (01)
I've got two other meetings now scheduled for the 10:00 AM--noon time slot on
Tuesday, March 20, and so I won't be able to attend/teleconference re the SOF.
However, I'd like to offer a couple thoughts on the work to date. (02)
First, regarding the need to "remove complicated calculation like the if/then
statements," which is an SGL crosswalk issue, I'm unsure of what the impact of
issues regarding the SGL crosswalk should be on the work A-136 task groups. It
would seem that crosswalk enhancements or fixes could follow whatever
improvements the task groups decide on re the statement formats. Also, I'm
concerned that some of the criticism of the crosswalk is based on the mechanics
of software programming rather than accounting or reporting issues. For
example, having end-of-balances reported differently based on whether they're
positive or negative seems complicated; but it's based on what the SOF needs to
display. It may be complicated if one is unsure of the concepts, but it's not
arbitrary. Having said that, I'd be open, of course, to the possibility of
crosswalk improvements. (03)
Second, it seems to me that the problem of documentation dogs SOF task groups.
The task group has yet to document the case that the SOF needs major changes,
i.e., what is the problem. I know problems are asserted and claims made about
lack of users, but little is offered that's concrete enough to evaluate.
Frankly, I don't see the need for major changes, even though I'm trying to keep
an open mind. Major SOF changes very probably will require changes in the
standards, which will require documentation to overcome what I presume will be
the benefit of doubt given the SOF that, as provided in SFFAS 7, par. 80 etc.,
it's, at worst, a useful internal control, and, at best, it also conveys useful
information. (04)
Best regards,
Richard (05)
Richard Fontenrose
FASAB
202-512-7358 (06)
>>> <Donald.Geiger@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 3/14/2007 7:46 AM >>> (07)
Attached are the minutes from our 3/8/07 SOF Work Group Meeting: (08)
http://colab.cim3.net/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?CFOsOMB_A136FormAndContent_SOF/SOFMeeting_2007_03_08 (09)
A quick summary of our status (010)
1) We are now working with two versions of a template. (011)
v01 proposes a new format more in a simple reconciliation style, previously
this had been a two step reconcilation, reconciling total resources and
obligations to net cost. The group decided to eliminate the total resources
reconciliation, and suggest changes to the FASAB statement that requires this. (012)
v02 would keep the same basic format as the existing SOF format, however would
remove certain complicated calculation like the if/then statements. v02 will be
reviewed and further enhancements suggested at the 3/20 SOF meeting. a link to
this v02 form is included in the attached minutes. (013)
For the 4/11/07 overall A-136 meeting, the SOF group will have recommended
changes to the FASAB standard. (014)
Don Geiger (015)
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