This handbook is the basic guide to financial accounting for local and State school systems in the United States. It is the second in a series of four handbooks in the State of Educational Records and Reports Series undertaken at the request of a number of national organizations. Handbook I, "The Common Core of State Educational Information," was published by the Office of Education in 1953. Handbooks on property and personnel will complete the series. This second handbook contains standard receipt and expenditure accounts, classified and defined, and additional accounting terminology necessary to their effective use. Universal use of the standard accounts and terminology in this bulletin will: (1) help to insure appropriate initial recording of financial data; (2) improve the accounting for school funds; (3) improve school budgeting; (4) establish a sound basis for cost accounting; (5) improve the accuracy of local, State, and national summaries; (6) facilitate comparisons of financial information among communities and States; (7) enable local and State educational authorities to obtain more suitable needed information for policy determination; (8) improve the accuracy of educational research; and (9) facilitate and improve reliable reporting to the public on the condition and progress of education. Certain additional features have been included in the handbook to enhance its value as a ready reference. Pertinent cross-referencing is designed to make the bulletin easy to use. Topics covered in this document's 12 chapters are as follows: (1) Classification of receipt accounts; (2) Definitions of receipt accounts; (3) Classification of expenditure accounts; (4) Definitions of expenditure accounts; (5) Classification of clearing accounts; (6) Definitions of clearing accounts; (7) Determining per-pupil expenditures; (8) Prorating expenditures; (9) A guide for recording receipts; (10) A guide for recording expenditures; (11) Supplies and equipment; and (12) Glossary of terms. Individual chapters contain footnotes. (Contains 2 tables.) [Best copy available has been provided.]