17-2-110. Fiscal year and financial reports. (1) Except for the state fund provided for in Title 39, chapter 71, part 23, the fiscal year for state purposes commences on July 1 of each year and ends on June 30 of each year. The state fund's fiscal year starts on January 1 of each year and ends on December 31 of that same year.

(2) At the end of each fiscal year, the fiscal records of each state office, department, bureau, commission, institution, university unit, and agency, collectively referred to as "state agency", must be closed. Each state agency shall prepare the financial records and reconciliations for the fiscal year as the department of administration may prescribe. The financial reports of the uniform accounting and reporting system prescribed in 17-1-102(2) are to be completed and distributed not more than 31 days following the end of each fiscal year. The department of administration may extend this time limit if a state agency can show necessity for the extension.

(3) The reports are to be distributed to the department of administration and the legislative auditor and any other state agency that the department of administration may prescribe. It is the intent of this provision that these reports accurately and comprehensively present the financial activities of the reporting state agency in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles so that the reports can be effectively used by the executive and legislative branches of state government.

(4) Upon consolidation of the reports, the annual financial report by the department of administration must be available for other individuals and organizations interested in the financial affairs of the state of Montana.