LAST-IN, FIRST-OUT (LIFO) - An inventory valuation method that allocates cost on the assumption that the last units acquired are the first units consumed or sold.

LEASEHOLD - The right to the use of real estate by virtue of a lease, usually for a specified term of years, for which consideration is paid.

LEASE-PURCHASE AGREEMENTS - Contractual agreements which are termed "leases," but in substance they are purchase contracts.

LEDGER - A group of accounts in which are recorded the financial transactions of the state. Refer to GENERAL LEDGER and SUBSIDIARY LEDGER.

LEGAL OPINION - (1) The opinion of an official authorized to render it (e.g., attorney general). (2) In the case of governmental bonds, the opinion of a specialized bond attorney as to the legality of a bond issue.

LIABILITIES – Probable future sacrifices of economic benefits, arising from present obligations of a particular entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future as a result of past transactions or events. The term does not include encumbrances.

LIBRARY RESERVE COLLECTIONS - Items of historical or literary significance, such as documents, maps, photos, and original books. Library reserve collections that are considered inexhaustible and meet certain criteria are not required to be capitalized. Agencies meeting the criteria for not capitalizing library reserves have the option of capitalizing them as non-depreciable capital assets. Library reserve collections that are exhaustible (such as those whose useful lives are diminished by display or educational/research applications) are to be capitalized and depreciated.

LIBRARY RESOURCES - Exhaustible items used for reference or lending such as books, periodicals, and microfilm that have a useful life greater than one year. Library resources are capitalized, depreciated and controlled by a recognized cataloging system.

LIMITED OBLIGATION BONDS - These bonds, while backed by the full faith and credit of the state, are payable primarily from dedicated revenues of the state’s motor vehicle fuel excise tax and other miscellaneous dedicated revenues.

LIQUIDATION - Payment of debt, cancellation of encumbrance, or conversion into cash.

LOANS RECEIVABLE - An asset account reflecting amounts that have been loaned to individuals or organizations external to the state, including notes taken as security for such loans. Loans to other governments should be recorded and reported separately.

LOCAL AIRPORT - The airport that offers commercial air service that is closest to the point from which travel begins. In most situations it would be the airport closest to the traveler's residence. For out-of-state destinations, the closest airport that provides direct out-of-state flights may be considered the local airport for this purpose.

LOCAL FUNDS/ACCOUNTS - Accounts under the control of an agency with cash on deposit in a local bank account and requiring the signature of agency officials on a check for disbursement. Some local funds are on deposit with the State Treasurer as a matter of convenience or statutory requirement.

LOCATION CODE - The identification code of the county in which the fixed asset is located.

LOCK BOX AND AUTOMATED REMITTANCE ADVICE SERVICES - A post office box opened in the name of a depositor but accessed and serviced by a remittance processor. Banks and other non-bank processors offer lock box services to process incoming mail and prepare the state’s deposits at a time of day and in a manner that accelerates the availability of funds to the state.

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS - Those obligations expected to mature at some future date and therefore not expected to be liquidated with currently existing resources or current assets. The long-term liabilities of specific enterprise, internal service, and trust funds are to be accounted for through those funds. All other unmatured general long-term liabilities are to be accounted for in the General Long-Term Obligations Subsidiary Account .

Accounting Terms Glossary and Definitions
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