Final answer:
The journal entry to record Spruce City's adopted General Fund budget at the beginning of the fiscal year would be to debit Estimated Revenues Control and credit Revenues Control for the estimated revenues of $1,100,000, and to debit Appropriations Control and credit Budgetary Fund Balance for the appropriations of $1,000,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
The journal entry (JE) needed to record Spruce City's finance department's recently adopted General Fund budget would reflect the estimated revenues and the appropriations approved at the beginning of the current fiscal year. In governmental accounting, we typically use the modified accrual basis, where revenues are recognized when they are both measurable and available. Appropriations represent the legal authority for the government to incur expenses and liabilities.
For the budget approved with estimated revenues of $1,100,000 and appropriations of $1,000,000, the journal entry would be:
- Debit: Estimated Revenues Control $1,100,000
- Credit: Revenues Control $1,100,000
- Debit: Appropriations Control $1,000,000
- Credit: Budgetary Fund Balance $1,000,000
This entry would establish the budgetary accounts necessary to track the budget. The difference of $100,000 between estimated revenues and appropriations suggests a budgetary surplus for the fiscal year, although actual results could vary depending on actual tax revenue collected and spending.