Dear AccountMate Clients,
The above was the provocative title of an article I read last week in the online edition of The Wall Street Journal – discussing how corporate spending on capital investments (equipment and software) has risen a strong 26% in the last two years, while payroll has remained flat.
Quarterly measures of “CapEx Goods” (orders and shipments of nondefense capital goods, excluding aircraft) has consistently increased in the last two years – in August coming in much stronger than expected at 1.1% (an increase of only 0.4% was projected) – so the core economy is definitely growing, and businesses are providing the increased output through capital investment without adding to their headcount.
Besides the general uncertainty of the future tax environment, several factors are negatively affecting payroll costs, including the inexorable rise in health insurance costs (widely reported at 9% for the past year) and higher taxes in most states to restore depleted unemployment benefit coffers.
At the same time, investments in capital equipment and software benefit both from historically low interest rates and from several Federal Stimulus Act changes temporarily increasing the “Section-179 Deduction” limit (to $500,000) and “Bonus Depreciation” amount (100% for business that exceed the $2M cap).
Here at NexLAN, we’re seeing exactly this scenario – as clients enhance their AccountMate installation’s place as the “Information Backbone” of their organization by adding functionality via additional modules (in-housing Payroll, spinning up Bank Reconciliation, implementing Business Alerts, etc.) and third party add-ons (formalizing Customer Relationship Management processes, streamlining order entry with EDI, taking the leap to Enterprise-level Business Intelligence, etc.)
As the old adage says, “If you’re sitting still you’re getting passed!” and, as the data shows, the vast majority of businesses aren’t sitting still in improving their operations and increasing their output.
On the running front, after the long hot summer am in “basebuilding mode” now and looking forward to focused training for next year’s Boston Marathon. Also, I’m the race director for a local 7½ mile trail run that annually draws more than 300 runners and just finished up the logistics and coordination for it. Doing this is a lot of fun, but it definitely makes me appreciate the effort required to put on such a production!
Regards,
Kevin E. Stroud
NexLAN, LLC
https://nexlan.com
Free Webinar: AccountMate SQL/Express 8.2 New Features
AccountMate released the latest version of the SQL and SQL/Express product line on September 20th and will be presenting a special end-user webinar on the new features and enhancements of it on Wednesday, October 5 from 12-1:30 CDT. If you are interested in attending please hit <reply> or e-mail directly to nexlan@nexlan.com and we will be glad to get you registered.
Free Vertical Solutions Webinars
AccountMate is hosting several vertical solution webinars. If you are interested in attending any of the below webinars please hit <reply> to this e-mail, or send directly to nexlan@nexlan.com letting us know which webinar you would like to attend, and we will be glad to get you registered. Seating is limited so please register early if you are interested.
M-Files Document Management (Motive Systems) – Thursday, October 20, 2011 – 12-1 CST offers a complete professional feature set including fast search, secure user access permissions, check-in / check-out, version control, workflow and notifications, fast offline and remote use, support for scanning paper documents and email, web access and a robust interface for connecting to front end business tools such as AccountMate. Simplifying the way documents are managed and tracked in the accounting process will improve the efficiency and accuracy with which companies manage their bookkeeping and related processes and tasks, such as filing tax returns, conducting audits, processing accounts payable and receivable, etc.
ACCU-DART Warehouse Management – Thursday, November 3, 2011 – 12-1 CST – A real-time integrated warehouse & inventory management solution. Using radio-frequency, bar-code technology, ACCU-DART enables warehouse staff to instantly update the AccountMate system. Functions can be performed using R/F scanners and/or through AccountMate directly. ACCU-DART functionality includes: shipping sales orders, receiving purchase orders, put aways, picking, bin transfers, warehouse transfers, bin replenishment, physical counts, serial/log control and more.
X-Charge Payment Processing – Thursday, November 10, 2011 – 12-1 CST – Enables clients to integrate their credit, debit, check and gift card transactions with their AccountMate software system. X-Charge merchants benefit from streamlined processes, network flexibility, improved reconciliation and meaningful reporting tools. Accelerated Payment Technology offers merchants low rates on credit card processing integrated with their point of sale, ecommerce and mobile systems; supported by world class 24/7 support.
Tech Note: Understanding the Differences Between the Cash Receipts and Payment Distribution Reports
AccountMate provides two reports that can help you monitor the customer payments–the Cash Receipts Report and the Payment Distribution Report. Both reports provide information about a variety of customer payments data; however, one is distinct from the other. Knowing the differences between these two reports helps you identify what report to use based on the information you need.
Tech Note: How to Create Custom Fields Using the Custom Field Manager Module in AccountMate 8
AccountMate 8.1 for SQL/Express introduces a powerful customization tool to accommodate special requirements. The Custom Field Manager module provides a way for the user to customize maintenance and transaction functions and to add features to AccountMate.
Article 1297: How to Create Custom Fields Using the Custom Field Manager Module in AM8
Technical Tips
Versions: AM8 for SQL and Express
AM7 for SQL, Express and LAN
AM6.5 for LAN (Builds LN603 and LN604 using Upgraded Payroll)
Module: PR
Q: I keep getting the message that the number of hours I entered exceeds the available hours when attempting to pay an employee’s leave. How can I enter a number of leave hours that exceeds the employee’s available leave hours?
A: You can enter a paid leave time that is more than the employee’s available leave hours if the paid leave code is set to allow a negative balance. Verify in the Paid Leave Code Maintenance function whether the Allow Negative Balance checkbox is marked for that paid leave code.
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Versions: AM8 for SQL and Express
AM7 for SQL, Express and LAN
AM6.5 for SQL, MSDE and LAN
Module: GL
Q: I attempted to create a prior year-end adjustment using the Journal Entry Transactions function; however, I noticed that the Prior Year-End Adjustment option was disabled. Why is this so and how do I resolve this?
A: The Prior Year-End Adjustment option in the Journal Entry Transactions function is disabled if the Year-End Adjustment period of the prior fiscal year is restricted for posting. To remove the posting restriction, unmark the checkbox of the prior fiscal year Year-End Adjustment period. For example, unmark the checkbox for Period 13 in a 12-period fiscal year setting. You must have the Supervisor user’s password to access the Posting Period Restrictions function.
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Versions: AM8 for SQL and Express
AM7 for SQL, Express and LAN
AM6.5 for SQL, MSDE and LAN
Module: AP
Q: How can I un-apply the payment made to an invoice?
A: Perform the following:
- Access the Apply Payment ► Manual Apply Payment function.
- Enter in the Vendor # field the vendor for whom you want to un-apply the invoice payment.
- Select the Invoice # in the grid; then, zero out the amount in the Apply Payment column for the invoice.
Click Save
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Versions: AM8 for SQL and Express
AM7 for SQL, Express and LAN
AM6.5 for SQL, MSDE and LAN
Module: AR
Q: How can I change the billing or shipping address shown in the AR invoice?
A: Perform either of the following:
- Access the Amend AR Invoice ► Payment/Bill To/Ship To tab ► Billing Address and Shipping Address areas, click the Lookup button to display the Address # Search window; then, choose the correct address number; or
- Access the Amend AR Invoice ► Payment/Bill To/Ship To tab ► Billing Address and Shipping Address areas, click the Overwrite Billing Address or Overwrite Shipping Address button beside the Address # field to enable the fields in the Billing Address or Shipping Address sections; then, enter the desired address and contact information.
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