Fund Accounting

Governmental entities utilize "fund accounting" to account for inflows and outflows of resources (i.e., revenues and expenditures). A fund is a self-balancing set of accounts designed to track a particular activity. Most governments, at a minimum, account for their operations in a general fund.

Other fund types available for use include

• Capital project funds - which account for capital or construction related revenues and expenditures
• Debt service fund - which account for the accumulation of funds to pay on outstanding debt (such as bonds)
• Enterprise funds - which account for "business-type activities, such as a water and gas fund or an airport
• Internal service funds - which account for internal operations, such as self-insurance funds or centralized operating segments
• Special revenue funds - which account for dedicated or reserved funding sources
• Trust or agency funds - which account for monies held by a government on behalf of others

JPSO Funds
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO) has historically accounted for the majority of its operations in its general fund. Some of the other more significant operating funds used by the JPSO include the Commissary Sales Special Revenue Fund, the Federal Grants Special Revenue Fund, the Communications Reserve Capital Project Fund, and the Buildings and Improvements Capital Project Fund.

See the Audited Financial Statements section for details on these funds and their activities for the current year.