subject: Government Accounting Software Makes Promises Happen In Real-time [print this page] I have been involved with various organizations over the years, even several branches within the same organization, and one thing that I have noticed is the wide variety of record-keeping and accounting systems.
It seems that in many cases, the various officers are left to their own devices as far as developing systems to keep track of their records; everything from vital statistics to money tracking and planning to officers and employees. Sadly, when a new officer or bureaucrat has been called upon to step into their shoes, most of these systems have ended up revamped and modified, or completely rearranged, only to have to go through the same process again after the next series of elections, retirements, or deaths.
Nowhere has this been more evident then something I saw in a local organization, where the year-end reports were roughly the same, yet every branch in the system had an entirely unique way of compiling the information. The branches on the city level and the statewide governing agency had many of the same complaints, all relative to the lack of uniformity in recording, leading to several inconsistencies in the reporting structure. It was almost as if everyone assumed that things were being compiled and reported in the same way. It was finally recommended that an accounting software product be chosen and exported throughout the system to ensure ease of recording, and reporting at the click of a button.
The change has been revolutionary. Now, at any given time, the different agencies can generate full reports. Payroll, human resources, accounting, and specialty services can all be tracked throughout the entire organization with greater accuracy, which allows for real-time tracking of resources and expenses. Auditing has become more uniform and far more simple, freeing up the employees to focus on the growth and promotion of both city and state projects.
Government accounting software has made it possible for agencies statewide to be on the same page with tracking, reporting, and implementation. With secure Internet and Intranet access, those reports can be sent real-time, which decreases the amount of time it takes to move through the various layers of red tape so common in government.
More importantly, the accuracy of reporting has made the process of long-term planning and sort-term implementation much more efficient, allowing for the government to make good on its promised to the public in a more timely and cost-effective manner.
