What Is GASB 34?

Posted by Chris Kaczor

in Facility Management

Updated April 7th, 2024

Table of Contents

A Summary of GASB 34 
The Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Established in 1984, the GASB works to improve financial accounting and reporting standards for state and local governments. One of the GASB’s statements, number 34, requires government entities to report infrastructure assets in their statement of net assets. Put forth in 1999, GASB Statement No. 34, Basic Financial Statements – and Management’s Discussion and Analysis – for State and Local Governments, also requires public infrastructure assets, including roads, bridges, tunnels, water sewer systems, and dams, to be reported along with related depreciation or preservation costs.
The goal of GASB 34 was to improve “the value of the annual audited financial report, making it possible to comprehensively assess the overall financial health of a city, county, or other government for the first time.” As the GASB recognizes, three significant changes Statement 34 made to the appearance and content of government financial reporting were “the introduction of management’s discussion and analysis, government-wide financial statements, and major fund reporting.”
Barcode Asset Tags for GASB 34 Compliance
In order to comply with GASB 34, government agencies have turned to durable bar code asset tags for fixed asset tracking to better manage asset life cycles. A fixed asset, also known as an infrastructure asset, also may include road signs, bridges, tunnels, water and sewer systems, dams and lighting systems, land, buildings, equipment, and machinery that is attached to a building. Durable barcode asset tags, such as Metalphoto® anodized aluminum and durable plastic bar code labels, have made it easier for government agencies to comply with GASB 34 and related standards and to meet compliance in public property management accounting standards, including tracking fixed asset acquisition, sale, and disposal.
Public agencies also utilize Metalphoto anodized aluminum and durable plastic bar code labels for property identification and to track the useful life of their owned assets. These types of durable barcode asset tags last for the useful lifetime of the fixed assets and make it easier to report new capital asset acquisition, useful life depreciation, and disposal. Durable barcode asset tags attach to moveable and fixed assets for useful life identification, inventory control, and more.
Types of Durable Asset Tags for Fixed Assets and GASB 34 Compliance
Typically, GASB 34 asset tags are constructed to last the lifetime of agencies’ infrastructure assets. When made from Metalphoto® photosensitive anodized aluminum, GASB 34 asset tags are capable of shedding dirt, grease, chemicals, and salt. These premium GASB 34 asset tags will remain clear and sharp even after decades of sunlight, heat, and physical abuse. GASB 34 asset tags also are appropriate for labeling road signs, water and sewer systems, lighting systems, and more, to help government agencies remain in compliance with GASB 34.
Other types of durable barcode asset tags include:

• Aluminum Tags – Rigid Metalphoto Asset Tags are highly readable. Premium aluminum asset tags contain a photographic image below the surface, which creates an impenetrable barrier to chemicals, solvents, and salts. These Metalphoto Asset Tags can survive temperatures up to 650°F, are designed to last the life of the part, and are resistant to heat, light, chemicals, and abrasion.
• Foil Asset Tags – Foil asset tags are made of 0.003” or 0.005” Metalphoto anodized aluminum. Known for their durability and longevity, these labels are thin and flexible to conform to most surfaces. Some durable asset tag companies have the ability to photographically image logos below the surface of the material for maximum durability and chemical resistance.
• Teflon^® Asset Tags –Teflon asset tags resist high temperatures, pickling, painting, e-coat, and powder coating, and they also resist contact with caustics and strong acids.

Benefits of Durable Barcode Asset Tags for GASB 34 Compliance
Durable barcode asset tags help government agencies to identify items. They also enable automatic data capture by optical scanners to avoid manual input. This type of automatic recognition and optical digital scanning compiles information into databases, helping to reduce the instances of manual entry mistakes. Durable barcode asset tags should be incorporated into government agencies’ fixed asset tracking programs to realize the following benefits:

• Identify owned assets quickly and easily
• Comply with government regulations
• Track useful life of assets and depreciation schedules
• Schedule maintenance and replacement of owned assets

Recommended Reading
For more information on GASB 34, check out the following articles:

• 50 Top Government Accounting Resources: Articles, Guides, Videos and More for Navigating Complex Government Accounting, GASB Standards and Fiscal Reporting
• Wind Power and Asset Management
• 4 Goals for Asset Management
• Migrating to the Cloud? Asset Tracking is a Match Made in Heaven