SAO Changes to Beginning and Ending BARS Codes
Beginning with the 2020 reporting year, the Washington State Auditors Office has changed the prescribed beginning and ending BARS codes. These changes may require significant analysis of underlying information.
For more information on new codes go to...
If assistance is needed beyond the mechanics of changing the BARS code in Springbrook Express, please submit a Help Desk question to the State Auditors Office or contact us for a professional services quote.
Change existing 308 BARS codes
All existing 308.10/80 and 508.10/80 BARS codes are not acceptable in 2020 and need to be changed to:
308.21/508.21, 308.31/508.31, 308.41/508.41, 308.51/508.51, or 308.91/508.91
Have I changed existing 308 BARS Codes?
For each existing 308.80/10 BARS code, pick a new 308.91/51/41/31/21 BARS code to change to.
Use change BARS Code tool to update existing BARS codes.
Go to Transactions > Chart of Accounts > Settings. Click "Change BARS Code"
Please note all videos are visual only, no audio is included.
Click on > to expand instructions.
All 308.10/80 BARS codes need to be changed to 308.91/51/41/31/21. Review SAO guidance to determine which new code is appropriate.
Do new 308 BARS codes need to be added?
New 308 BARS codes may need to be added to appropriately define all beginning balance amounts. Please review SAO guidance to determine if additional BARS codes are needed.
Add new 308 BARS Codes in 2020
Go to Transactions > Chart of Accounts > Line View
Click on > to expand instructions.
All 308.10/80 BARS codes need to be changed to 308.91/51/41/31/21. Review SAO guidance to determine which new code is appropriate.
Re-run 2021 New Year Setup
Re-run 2021 New Year setup to carry over new BARS codes from 2020 to 2021.
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Update 2020 beginning balance transaction
Go to Transactions > General Ledger > Locate beginning balance transaction
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To balance the beginning balance transaction, the amount added in the previous step, must be subtracted from a current BARS code in the beginning balance transaction.
The beginning balance transaction must be modified in some form to balance the transaction.
Re-run 2020 Treasurers Reports
If changes are made to the 2020 beginning balance transaction, all 2020 Treasurers Reports must be updated.
Go to Reports > Treasurers Reports
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Define 508 BARS codes
Go to Transactions > Chart of Accounts > Funds
Define 508 amounts
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Click on the drop down in the Type column.
Remainder is the default BARS code used for any balance that is not allocated to another BARS code.
Flat allows an amount to be allocated to a specific BARS code.
