When is my annual report due?
Annual reports are due 150 days after the government's fiscal year end.
For local governments with a calendar year end, the annual report for fiscal year 2022 was due by Monday, May 30, 2023.
For local governments with a calendar year end, the annual report for fiscal year 2023 is due by Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
Where can I find annual filing system resources?
In addition to the webinar and other training opportunities described on this page, we have created a resource library to help local governments with the annual filing process. See descriptions and links for available resources below:
- Handbook
- This is a step-by-step guide on navigating the filing system and how to use the various functionalities within the system.
- Error Guide
- During the annual filing process, you may receive errors in the filing system. This guide will help you better understand what each error means and provide guidance on how to resolve those errors.
How do I learn how to file my annual report?
SAO offers several webinars and other training opportunities for local governments to learn about the various components that are required to complete the annual report. These can be found on our Training and Workshops page.
How do I learn more about the annual online report filing process?
SAO provides information and tools to help local governments learn about the annual filing process, please visit our About Filing Online page.
Where do I find templates?
You can access templates by clicking on the BARS Reporting Templates link on the main page of the BARS manuals.
I am new to the local government. How do I learn about the BARS?
SAO offers recorded trainings on a variety of BARS topics. These can be found on our Training and Workshops page.
How do I obtain previous years' Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) manuals?
Since the only manual available is applicable to the current period and the most recent reporting year, any information related to a prior year is available by request. Please submit a Help Desk request with the year and section or detailed description of the needed information.
How do I find information in the BARS manual?
The quickest way to find needed information is to utilize the search function within the manual. This search function will only search the applicable manual that you are in.
How can I reference the information from the BARS manual since there are no page numbers?
The BARS manual contains indices, which specify parts, sections and subsections of the text (e.g., BARS 3.11.1 – Accounting – Transportation Benefit Districts (TBD) contains twelve segments numbered from 3.11.1.10 to 3.11.1.120). These indices are static and do not change. All outdated and not applicable indices are removed and their numbers are not replaced. New information is added with new index references.
How do I download and/or print the BARS manual?
To print: click download this manual as PDF located in the top right of the page.
When are the changes to the BARS manual applicable?
The annual updates and BARS Alerts are combined into sections according to the year of applicability through the Alerts and Changes section of each Manual.
When is the BARS manual updated?
The main BARS manual update happens at the calendar year end (December or January) and is aligned with the vast majority of governments' reporting cycle. The important changes are listed in the Alerts & Changes section of the manual.
However, there may be emerging issues that affect the accounting or reporting of governments. In such cases, the manual is updated during the year and governments are immediately notified of these updates by email.
Small corrections, clarifications and other revisions, which do not have direct impact on accounting or reporting, occur throughout the year without any alerts.
I am new and I am not sure if I am receiving all emails and notifications related to the BARS manual? How can I be sure I am?
You can sign up for notification emails through News and Alerts.
Questions? Email LGCSFeedback@sao.wa.gov or Call (564) 201 – 2975