4 FAH-1 H-100
ACCOUNT STRUCTURE
4 FAH-1 H-110
ACCOUNT STRUCTURE
(CT:FMH-319; 11-13-2024)
(Office of Origin: CGFS/FPRA/FP)
4 FAH-1 H-111 PURPOSE
(CT:FMH-100; 05-04-2012)
This section provides a brief description of the Department of State’s Account Structure and Classification Codes which are used for classifying accounting transactions, data on accounting source documents, and management information and reports. These symbols and codes are compatible with regulations established by the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Treasury, and the Government Accountability Office. They are used to facilitate the processing of accounting data for appropriation and fund accounting, and for the development of financial information for management and reporting purposes. The same symbols and codes are used for both manual and automated processing of accounting data. The integrity of financial information developed through the Department’s accounting system depends upon careful and accurate coding of accounting source documents at all levels of operation. The importance of complete and accurate coding of accounting documents cannot be overemphasized.
4 FAH-1 H-112 SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY
4 FAH-1 H-112.1 Operations, Domestic and Abroad
(CT:FMH-319; 11-13-2024)
a. Appropriation and fund account symbols have worldwide application. Allotment and operating allowance codes identify managerial levels having authority to incur obligations against funds made available to them.
b. The organization codes are used on payroll records and for the identification of expenses incurred by allottees for benefiting organizations. Although there are instances when the allotment code and the organization code identify the same post or office, both must be shown on all obligating and liquidating documents to maintain uniformity in applying the account structure for successive summarization.
c. The use of bureau, office, and post organization codes is required for accounting purposes. The level to which subordinate organization codes (divisions, branches, sections, and staffs) are to be used for internal management reporting purposes is optional, unless their use has been specifically prescribed for Department-wide financial reporting.
4 FAH-1 H-112.2 Classification of Accounting Transactions
(CT:FMH-319; 11-13-2024)
The accounting symbols and codes prescribed herein are applicable to all accounting operations. Use these codes to classify all transactions applicable to current and/or prior year funds, processed from the initial funding stage through the allotment, obligation, liquidation, expenditure, and correction or adjustment stages, relative to a given appropriation and/or fund. This coding is required to permit the recording and processing of accounting transaction data in a uniform manner, and to facilitate the summary reporting of the processed data for accounting and management purposes.
4 FAH-1 H-113 ACCOUNT CLASSIFICATION STRUCTURE
(CT:FMH-100; 05-04-2012)
a. The sequence of codes and data element fields are illustrated in 4 FAH-1 Exhibit H-113. Each code provides essential information about the transaction. To provide flexibility in the overall accounting system and to reduce workload where feasible, the full sequence or strip is not used for some transactions. For example, the complete code sequence is not required to obligate U.S. employee salaries. However, liquidations of such obligations require the complete code to permit the summarization of expenditures or accrued costs for accounting and management purposes.
b. In the absence of specific instructions, allottees will use the complete transaction code structure.
4 FAH-1 H-114 CHECKING ACCOUNT SYMBOLS
(CT:FMH-100; 05-04-2012)
This section provides a list of checking account symbols assigned to the Financial Service Centers and other related locations by the Department of the Treasury. See 4 FAH-1 H-730.
4 FAH-1 H-115 GEOGRAPHIC LOCATor CODES FOR COUNTRIES/ENTITIES
(CT:FMH-319; 11-13-2024)
a. The two-letter and three-letter country alpha codes are obtained from the Geopolitical Entities, Names, and Codes (GENC) Standard, the replacement standard for FIPS 10-4 and the U.S. Government's profile of the ISO 3166 international country code standard. The numeric city codes are provided by the General Services Administration, as published in Geographic Location Codes.
b. The codes are prescribed for the interchange of data between and among agencies and the public. Specifically, these codes are required in the Department of State’s Real Property and Personnel records, and in the General Services Administration (GSA) Real Property Owned and Leased Inventory reporting. See 4 FAH-1 H-800.
4 FAH-1 H-116 SPECIAL ACCOUNTING CLASSIFICATIONS
(CT:FMH-319; 11-13-2024)
The Department of State Uniform Account Structure includes special accounting classifications to meet management requirements. See section for Global Publishing Solutions work orders and obligation numbers. Other special codes, titles, and definitions are added as required.
4 FAH-1 H-117 CODE MAINTENANCE
(CT:FMH-319; 11-13-2024)
a. The organization codes, along with the function, program and activity classifications; object classifications; central services, paying office codes and checking account symbols; appropriations and/or funds and allotments; and geographic locator codes, are maintained by the Office of Financial Policy (CGFS/FPRA/FP) in the Department. When changes in an organization and/or program are approved, the responsible office sends the changes to CGFS/FPRA/FP. New and revised codes, symbols, and titles are assigned as required.
b. The first two digits of domestic organization codes, other U.S. agency codes, international organization codes, and special designator codes are never reassigned. The third-sixth digits of domestic codes are reassigned to the extent of changing organization symbols and titles of existing organizational units. Post codes are not reassigned.
c. The Account Structure and Classification Codes Handbook, 4 FAH-1, is updated on a continuous basis to be responsive to management requirements. Revisions and new material are published by the Office of Organizational Policy (A/SKS/PPKM/OP).
4 FAH-1 H-118 AND H-119 UNASSIGNED
4 FAH-1 Exhibit H-113
ACCOUNT CLASSIFICATION STRUCTURE
(CT:FMH-319; 11-13-2024)
CODE SEQUENCE (NUMBER OF DIGITS/CHARACTERS PER CODE/FIELD)
Data Element (3) (6) (3) (14) (2) (15) (10) (6) (4) (3) (4) (8) (3) (4) (3) (14) (20)
REPORTING POST CODE (3)
ACCOUNTING DATE, MONTH AND YEAR (6)
TRANSACTION CODE (3)
FUND SYMBOL/APPROPRIATION (14)
TREASURY BUREAU CODE (2)
ALLOTMENT CODE/GROUP (15)
OBLIGATION NUMBER (10)
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE (6)
FUNCTION CODE (4)
COST CATEGORY (3)
OBJECT AND SUBOBJECT (4)
PROJECT CODE (8)
PAYING OFFICE CODE (3)
DATE OF PAYMENT, MONTH AND YEAR (4)
CURRENCY CODE (SAME AS POST LOCATOR CODE
FOR THE COUNTRY WITH THAT CURRENCY) (3)
AMOUNT FIELDS (14)
DATA REFERENCE (20)
Reporting Post Code: The locator and/or post code of the Post and/or Office which transmits the input data and/or reports; e.g., “236” for Paris, France; “298” for Paris; and “240” for Berlin.
Accounting Date: The month and year constitutes the accounting date of the financial document, record and report; the month prepared and established.
Transaction Code: This code identifies the type of transaction to be processed. Examples include transactions for funds available, commitments, obligations, disbursements, collections, advances, etc. These are assigned by the FMC and/or other responsible office.
Fund Symbol/Appropriation: This symbol identifies the appropriation fund, the agency or agencies involved, the fiscal year or years included, the Treasury account symbol and the limitations, if any. The entire appropriation symbol, including any appropriate limitations, is cited on Advice of Allotment documents, and is shown on all accounting documents, ledgers, and reports.
(1) STATE DEPARTMENT FUNDS—These are usually seven-digit numbers.
Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service
State Department 19
Fiscal Year (see 4 below) 9
Treasury Account Number
0522
(2) FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO STATE—Other agency funds which are transferred to and accounted for by the Department of State. These are usually nine-digit numbers.
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia, USAID
(Transfer to State)
Department of State 19
U.S. Agency for International Development 72
Fiscal Year (see 4 below) 9
Treasury Account Number 0306
(3) TRANSFERRED FUNDS WITH LIMITATIONS—Other agency funds which are transferred to the Department of State, and which carry limitations as to obligations and/or expenditures. These are normally ten- or eleven-digit numbers.
Peacekeeping Operations, Executive (Transfer to State)
Department of State 19
Executive Office of the President 11
Fiscal Year (see 4 below) 9
Treasury Account Number 1032
Limitation (Security Governance Initiative) 18
(4) FISCAL YEAR DESIGNATIONS—In each of the above examples, the identification of fiscal year or multiple-year funds is a one- or two- digit code as follows:
Single Year—Use the last digit of the applicable fiscal year.
Example
Fiscal Year 2025 5
Multiple Year—Use a two-digit code separated by a slash line.
Example
Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026 5/6
No Year: Use the letter “X”.
Merged: Funds that have lapsed, consisting of prior fiscal year funds other than last fiscal year or the one prior to it; use the letter “M”. (This designation was discontinued based on Public Law 101-510 dated November 5, 1990, which was implemented by OMB A-34 Part XI.)
Treasury Bureau Code: This code is assigned by the Department of the Treasury. The code with the Agency Code constitutes the Agency Locator Code; e.g., 1302 for Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA). The ITA Bureau Code “02” is required by ITA on all accounting and budget documents, records, and reports.
Allotment Code and/or Group: This four-digit code, assigned by the Department of State, identifies the general type of expenses and the allottee. Other agencies may use Appropriation and Allotment as “Allotment Code and/or Group”. Allotments which are restricted in use to specific purposes as a result of appropriation or apportionment language or Departmental action are identified by the suffix of the appropriation symbol. See 4 FAH-1 H-300 for allotment symbols.
(1) DOMESTIC
Domestic Expense 10
Office (Bureau of African Affairs) 15
(2) EXPENSES ABROAD (WASHINGTON)
Washington-held Expenses Abroad 20
Office (U.S. Salaries) 99
(3) EXPENSES ABROAD (FUNCTIONAL/POSTS)
Office (FSI, IO, PRM)
Allotment to posts and offices 3
Office (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs)
3
Country (South Korea) 10
(4) REGIONAL BUREAU PROGRAM
Program Funds 4
Bureau (Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs) 2
Allottee XX
Country (SPAIN) 70
Washington-held (EUR) 01
Bureau Total (for Washington use only) 00
(5) REGIONAL BUREAU—INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
ICASS Funds 5
Bureau (Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs) 1
Allottee XX
Country (PERU) 36
Washington-held (WHA) 01
Bureau Total (for Washington use only) 00
(6) WORLDWIDE EXPENSES (WASHINGTON)
Washington-held Worldwide Expenses 60
Bureau of Consular Affairs 24
Obligation Number: The obligation number consists of six digits to identify the accounting transaction. The first position on the left is the last digit of the fiscal year in which the obligation is established, and the next five positions designate the type and chronology of the obligations. The obligation numbers are usually assigned and/or controlled by the accounting office that is responsible for the accounting services. That is, these offices may assign blocks of numbers for use by the posts or offices that transmit transactions for processing, accounting, and reporting. Where worldwide numbering systems are prescribed, they will be documented in 4 FAM, either in the appropriate accounting chapter or 4 FAH-1 H-900.
The allottee is responsible for the selection and assignment of the six-digit number on the obligation document and relating it to the appropriate allotment. The allotment code (four digits) and the obligation number (six digits) constitute the ten-digit obligation identification number. This combined number serves to identify the transaction through all the accounting and automated processing steps. For procurement actions, it serves as the requisition number, the order number, and the obligation number; for travel actions, including International Post Assignment Travel, it serves as the travel authorization number and the obligation number.
Sample ten-digit number:
Allotment FY Use/assigned by Post/Allottee
4232 5 00100
The five digits following FY may constitute a single series of consecutive numbers or a separate series for different types of transactions.
Organization Structure: The Department of State’s organization structure consists of the Office of the Secretary, Functional Bureaus, Regional Bureaus, Special Offices and Staffs, and Posts Abroad. The major offices and bureaus are subdivided into offices and/or directorates, divisions, branches, and sections. The structure abroad consists of Diplomatic and Consular Posts and Specialized Activities.
The organization codes are established below the Department and/or agency and subelement levels to identify the benefiting organizations for cost purposes, payroll, and personnel management. They indicate where the managers and supervisors are located. Organization codes are assigned to domestic offices, points of origin and destination abroad; and other federal agencies, international organizations, and activities serviced by the Department of State. The detail and sequencing of organizational units are shown by the organization code structure below.
(1) DOMESTIC (DEPARTMENTAL)
OFFICE OF SECRETARY, REGIONAL, AND FUNCTIONAL BUREAUS
Areas 0 to 2
Major Office or Bureau 0 to 9
Office or Directorate 0 to 9
Division 0 to 9
Branch 0 to 9
Section 0 to 9
(2) ABROAD
ABROAD (POST AND OFFICE CODES)
Overseas/State Designator 3
Geographic Area 1 to 6
Country 02 to 98
Post/Office—City, or Activity 01 to 98
(3) OTHER U.S. AGENCIES
OTHER U.S. AGENCIES (SERVICED BY DEPARTMENT OF STATE)
Other Agencies 4
Specific Agency 001 to 888
Domestic/Abroad Designator 10 to 30
(4) INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (SERVICED BY DEPARTMENT OF STATE)
International Organizations 5
Specific Organization 001 to 888
Domestic/Overseas Designator 10 to 30
(5) UNDISTRIBUTED 9 9 99
This is for use with items of expense not to be distributed to specific organizations and includes items of insufficient magnitude to warrant such distribution. See 4 FAH-1 H-400 for organization codes, titles, and purpose.
Function Codes: The budget activity, function, program and activity classifications, which identify the programs and activities funded under the Department’s appropriations and other fund symbols, are included in the function codes. The function code consists of four positions within the Department’s Account Structure and is used to identify and report these types of expenses. See 4 FAH-1 H-520 for function codes, titles, and definitions.
Cost Category: The cost category code identifies the type of work or service performed, such as maintenance and repair of real property, migration and refugee assistance, etc. This category may include more than one object classification, and is, therefore, major to the object class.
Object and Subobject Codes: The object classifications identify the kinds of services, materials and other resources used by the Department of State and serviced agencies, and for which U.S. Government payments are made. The basic object codes are prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget, OMB Circular No. A-11. The more detailed classifications, which the Department requires, are set forth in 4 FAH-1 H-610.
Project Codes: This is a ten-character code and is used to identify projects of serviced agencies, real property or building numbers, conference numbers, etc.
Paying Office Codes: On liquidation documents, the paying office is identified by the three-digit post code which corresponds to the servicing post. See 4 FAH-1 H-720 for the list of paying office codes. The servicing post code is also used when payments are actually made by a Treasury Regional Disbursing Office (RDO). This code is required to be shown on liquidation documents in connection with “payments for others”.
Accounting Date and/or Date of Transaction/Payment: This date consists of six digits for month, day and year; e.g., 063011. The “payment date” currently shown in the system consists of month and year; i.e., 061. This code is required to be shown on liquidation documents in connection with “payments for others”. The use of this code for “payment for self” is optional. Posts for which disbursements are made by a Treasury RDO use the date on which the liquidation documents are prepared for payment. For example, posts use current month’s payment date through the “Final Submission” of liquidation documents to the Treasury RDO for that month. Documents prepared after that date are coded with the following month’s payment date. When documents are not paid by the Treasury RDO in the current month as shown by the payment date, reconciliation by/or for the post is required to balance Form SF-1221, Statement of Transactions According to Appropriations, Funds, and Receipt Accounts (Foreign Service Account).
Currency Code: These codes are the same as the funding, post, or locator codes for the countries with those currencies. When two or more currency codes are required in a country, special currency codes are assigned.
Amount Fields: Amount fields consist of 14 positions each, as required.
Data Reference: This field is provided for cross-reference and/or distribution of costs for related budget codes and/or identification numbers. For example, GBL, TR, property ID, etc.