Accounts Payable (AP) automation leverages technology to simplify and automate the accounts payable process. By eliminating manual data entry and minimizing human errors, this technology enhances efficiency and accuracy. It helps governments become more efficient. It can also be a valuable tool to spot fraud and waste. Adding AP automation to your government accounting system cost-effectively accomplishes several goals simultaneously, making it an intelligent choice for governments on a tight budget.

Five Big Benefits of AP Automation for Government Entities

While AP automation may be found in typical business accounting programs and nonprofit accounting systems, it is being added to

Organizations gain many benefits from working with a reseller. AccuFund’s resellers are an integral part of our customers’ success. Our reseller community helps customers identify the best fund accounting system for their needs. Then, they provide important services including implementation, training, and ongoing support.

“AccuFund works closely with its Resellers and customers to continue enhancing the solutions they rely on,” explains Ian Scotland, General Manager and Vice President of AccuFund. “We continually evolve with technology advancements, expanded integrations, and cutting-edge solutions, and our Value-Added Resellers continue providing superior implementation, training, support, service, and products to enable customers to continue servicing

In the realm of governmental financial management, specialized accounting software is essential.

Unlike businesses, governmental entities must operate within stringent regulatory frameworks, necessitating meticulous adherence to standards and transparency in financial reporting. Added to these parameters are the unique complexities of government and municipality accounting, such as tracking taxes, utility bills, license fees, and more.

Having the right government accounting software makes these tasks easier and more efficient.

Understanding Governmental Accounting Requirements

Governmental accounting is vastly different from standard business accounting142. Typically, governments adopt Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to maintain consistency and comparability in financial reporting. Additionally, public sector-specific

Preparing accounting and financial records for year-end closing is a big task. Many steps must be taken to ensure an accurate year-end close. Much depends on the accuracy of the final numbers: budgets, forecasting, and public presentations.

For governments and municipalities using a government accounting system, there are a few additional steps to ready the software for the next fiscal year and ensure success in closing out the old. Ready? Let's get started with this step-by-step guide to government year-end fiscal closing.

1. Establish the Closing Period

As part of the fiscal year-end preparation, it is important to close

"Recently I attended #GFOA2024. I was sitting in a large conference breakout room with approximately 200 attendees and the session speaker asked, “How many of you are considering changing ERP systems in the next year?” I was amazed to see the hands raise around me and as I assessed the room, there had to be 80% who planned to make an ERP switch” – Ian Scotland, Vice President and General Manager, AccuFund.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems aren’t new, but they are new to some people. These software platforms integrate multiple systems into one, providing exceptional 360-degree visibility into

Many government and public sector agencies struggle with outdated or siloed systems. Such systems are no longer merely inefficient; they're frustrating for both employees and citizens trying to use them.Everyone interacts with modern systems and expects government systems to behave the same way as their favorite consumer platforms. Unfortunately, many governments lag when it comes to integrated systems, efficiencies, and modern platforms.

Government ERP, also called public sector ERP, offers a solution to this common problem. ERP stands for ‘enterprise resource planning’ system. In this ultimate guide to government and public sector ERPs, you’ll learn what ERPs are and

In the realm of government operations, efficiency and transparency are top priorities. This holds true not only for government employees, but also for the constituents they serve. That's where the introduction of a web pay portal comes into play, revolutionizing financial management in the public sector. With this technological advancement, both government employees and constituents can experience a win-win.

By leveraging a fully integrated web pay portal – a key component of your accounting system -– government employees can streamline their financial tasks, easing the burden of administrative work and enabling them to focus on their core responsibilities. Payments are

What is government accounting software? How can it help you with government accounting basics?

Government accounting software is specifically designed with the financial, accounting, and reporting needs of municipalities, counties, townships, special districts, and other local government entities in mind. Such software differs considerably from general business accounting software. Most government accounting software is set up to handle the unique needs and regulatory requirements of local governments, which often have complex budgeting, accounting, and reporting structures in place.

Think of it like this: many software companies release specialized editions of their basic business packages for various industries. A contractor or

Regarding budgeting basics, government entities have much in common with their corporate counterparts. One thing in common is the struggle for collaboration and communication on budgetary issues. Every organization, big or small, struggles to collaborate on budgetary issues and communicate pertinent information to make the budgeting process go more smoothly.

These techniques can enhance collaboration and communication while developing, refining, and approving budgets. If you're working on a budget for a government entity, these techniques can help you move from draft to approved, enhancing your ability to work with colleagues, ensuring essential budgetary items are included, and creating a productive

If you're actively exploring cloud-based options for municipal government software, you’re in good company.

Nationwide, among both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, cloud software adoption has never been stronger. Estimates vary, but the most recent one suggests that 94% of enterprises use cloud-based products. That number is expected to increase, with fewer organizations relying upon site-based systems as the decade progresses.

As more and more local and municipal government software shifts to cloud-based solutions, what’s driving this change? And is cloud-based software the best choice for your local government accounting needs?

Benefits of Cloud Computing for Local Governments

More and

Is it time for local government accounting modernization?

Modernization sounds like a strange word to use when it comes to describing a local government initiative. But just like you may modernize your kitchen or bathroom, governments need to modernize their systems too.

Local government accounting modernization is more than a facelift. It may mean finally getting rid of the outdated wallpaper, but it also means upgrading the structure behind the scenes – perhaps adding additional outlets in the kitchen that can handle more appliances or a water connection to the refrigerator area for a built-in ice maker. Local governments choosing

When choosing public sector software, it’s vital to choose software that offers maximum security for sensitive data and systems.

The Department of Homeland Security requested a $2.6 billion cybersecurity budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021. The Federal Government is taking cybersecurity very seriously, and for good reason. This year alone, we've seen many bad actors. Over the past decade, we've seen systems containing defense contractors' information attacked, denial of service (DOS) attacks, and many other cyber threats against the federal government.

For local governments, the threat is just as real. Although you may think that your town or state

The best business ideas start with solving a problem. Twenty years ago, AccuFund had its beginnings in solving a business issue and grew into a software company focused on helping local governments and nonprofit organizations achieve their mission.

In 2001, AccuFund founder Gordon Holfelder and co-founder Peter Stam sensed a business opportunity printing checks for NASCAR race winners. At that time, businesses that wished to print their own checks needed not just unique software, but specialized printers and magnetic ink, too.

The duo came up with a system that incorporated all elements needed to print checks on the go and

From every corner of the world and including every community member, collectively, we are charged with operating under a new normal. Basic communication, friendly greetings, social interaction, making plans, helping others – everything we were accustomed to, is done differently now. With more caution, taking more precautions.

We are all trying to do our part in minimizing the spread of COVID-19, brought about by the novel coronavirus. Following reported safety measures to keep our friends, family, and community members safe during this challenging time is the least we can do.

The varying impact of this current health crisis has taken

As a nonprofit, you’re used to being on the front line helping your community members tackle the challenges they face every single day. From social services to arts and education to health and religion, you play a critical role in helping others. The positive impact you have on your community has the power to reach far beyond local geography, it is limitless.

But now, in the face of COVID-19, you feel its limits.

Everything seems to change, every single day. How do you keep track of all you need to do, normally, while having the resources to manage an ever-changing

From fundamental ASU2016-14 FASB updates to company-specific software updates, equipping nonprofit organizations with the tools to improve reporting and financial management is top-of-mind for many, if not all, nonprofit executives and boards.

Personally speaking, when AccuFund makes enhancements to its products, you know 3 things for certain:

1. We are listening to our customers; what they need to help them improve the way they report, organize their data, work through their system, and overall manage their financials.
2. We are committed to the nonprofit and government marketplace we serve.
3. New enhancements set the stage for future enhancements.

With our

Never has there been a greater need for the services and support our nonprofits and local governments provide, in large cities and small towns, across the United States.

And at the same time, these nonprofits and local governments are challenged by the reality that funding is shrinking.

In order to persevere and continue providing for the communities they are charged with supporting, nonprofits and local governments need to maximize their technology, streamline their processes and provide their internal teams and stakeholders with the financial reporting needed to make informed decisions.

AccuFund is helping its customers meet this challenge head on

I recently moderated a session at an association meeting “The Role of Internal Controls in Preventing Bank Fraud”.   The speakers included a Bank Examiner, a CPA and the CEO of a nonprofit agency.  They provided a nice balance of different points of views and resulted in a good discussion.

Internal and external vulnerabilities

One thing quickly became apparent, there are really two avenues for bank fraud, internal and external, and there are different activities or functions that a nonprofit should include to reduce the chance of fraud in their nonprofit.  All of these apply to government agencies as well. 

It may not be at the top of your priority list but regular system reviews are key when it comes to ensuring that you are getting the most out of your investment.

Your financial systems are the bedrock of responsible stewardship and organizational transparency.  In addition, access to financial data when evaluating grants, applying for new grants, determining fundraising campaign effectiveness, tracking operational expenses, etc., is critical to serving your constituents now and in the future.

We recommend an annual system review.  Just as you budget and plan for each new year, it makes sense to evaluate how your accounting

Implementing best practices is the gift that keeps on giving.  Best practices incorporated into the workflow of your nonprofit system helps you work smarter and usually faster that makeshift manual activities.

When best practices are combined with automation and offer a significant savings in time and money – that’s the best possible scenario, and going paperless is an activity that delivers each of those benefits.

We saw such positive results with clients that we recently conducted a series of webcasts showcasing ways nonprofits could benefit from going paperless.  You can view a recording of the presentation here.

So what’s

Cloud Computing is at the top of the list for almost all organizations looking for their next fund accounting and donor management and fundraising systems – and for good reason. Cloud computing is the most revolutionary technology development since application software (once only available for mainframe computers) became available for personal computers and landed on the desktops of end users.

There are several hugely compelling aspects to cloud computing – in many cases it comes with:

• a lower cost of ownership
• significantly faster implementation
• full feature sets
• hassle-free upgrades
• enhanced security, up time, and disaster recovery
• can be available anytime,

Why should nonprofits be interested in cloud accounting?

There are significant savings to be enjoyed by emptying out your server room and putting the money you used to pay in maintenance and upgrades towards your mission.

The cloud, through economies of scale, offers state-of-the-art security, disaster recovery, and guaranteed uptime.

Budget-friendly subscription pricing combined with anytime, anywhere access gives your organization the agility it needs to focus on your mission in the most cost-effective way without sacrificing features or performance.

Why should nonprofits be interested in AccuFund?

We currently serve more than 1,000 clients and we special in accounting software

I recently read with interest an article by Gene Marks about how to make your CRM installation a success.  One of his points I thought applied equally well to your accounting system and that was "Invest in a Administrator".  I have repeatedly seen this be the difference between failure and success in client installations.

Like the CRM system that Gene is talking about, you make a significant investment in your accounting solution and it is a critical part of your organization, be it governmental, nonprofit, tribal  or commercial for that matter.  Many managers expect that after the installation the software