Vision Municipal Solutions

 02/02/2012 - 2012 Vision Annual Report Training

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

2012 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT TRAINING SCHEDULE

We have confirmed our 2012 Annual Financial Report training locations and dates and wanted to get this release off so that you can make your plans to attend.

   · March 1st @ Dupont - Liberty Inn
   · March 2nd @ La Conner - Maple Hall Center
   · March 5th @ Omak - Omak City Hall
   · March 6th @ Yakima - Oxford Suites
   · March 9th @ Spokane - Hampton Inn (near the Spokane Airport)

The class will cover the preparation of the "Cash Basis" Annual Financial Report for all Local Government entities (cities, counties, fire, water, sewer and special purpose districts including conservation and irrigation districts) reporting in Washington State. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Whether you are a City, County, or Special Purpose District you have a reporting requirement. We will review all required statements, schedules and notes for cash basis financial reporting with a focus on the new report changes for 2011 and the updates in the 2012 BARS release that are retroactively applied to 2011. Course content will include:

   · Fund analysis and consolidation for reporting purposes
   · GASB 54 impacts (Special Revenue funds and reserves) and how to report
   · Financial Statement format changes (C1,C2,C4,C5)
   · Supplemental schedule changes (Schedule 04,05,09,11,12,16,17,19,20,21,22)
   · Incorporation of financial data such as
       > Short-term and Long-term liabilities
       > Reserved and Unreserved fund balances (beginning/ending)

For our Vision customers we will be reviewing the software system updates that will address the fund rollups and statement changes and for our ASP customers and all other attendees we will discuss the best method for complying with all SAO/BARS reporting requirements. Course materials shall include samples of all required reporting schedules, statements and notes for your entity type.

Bring last year's annual report plus 2011 year end financials for class use and reference.

To register, please click here and complete the registration form. Class size will be limited, so register early to guarantee your spot. For those Direct Access customers, please don't forget that you get a 25% reduction on registration fees.

   · Registration fee is $110 (includes lunch)
   · Registration opens at 8:30 AM.
   · Class begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM
   · A course certificate of completion will be provided for those who need CPE.

 01/06/2012 - 2011 Year End for Vision

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

To our friends and customers:

We would like to thank you once again for choosing Vision.

Your continual trust over the years is greatly appreciated.

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!


IRS W2 Changes

The good news for 2011 is that there are no changes to the 2010 format. Please refer to the How To - Vision W2's And 1099's provided with the link below.

The 2012 Publication 15 (Circular E) is not available for downloading. Please refer to Notice 1036 in the meantime.

Vision customers; your applications will automatically be updated pending any new changes with Click-Once. The Withholding Allowance Schedule is on page 1 of Notice 1036. The Annual Tax Schedule is located on page 3 and 4 of Notice 1036. Congress extended the 4.2% employee Social Security tax rate through Feb. 29, 2012 (employee portion only), as per page 1 of Notice 1036. Note: If you have multiple Social Security and Medicare rates, adjust accordingly.

Helpful Links:

How To - Vision W2's And 1099's

2012 IRS W2 and W3 Instructions

2012 Standard Mileage Rates

2012 Publication 15 (Circular E not yet available, will be linked when available)


Year End Procedures (Vision)

Here are some helpful hints for preparing 2011 year end

Remember there is no year change in Vision!


Financial year end tips

• Process 1099s in the Forms menu. (How To - Vision W2's And 1099's)
• 508 account Ending Fund Balances are New General Journal debit postings.
• All state schedules and annual reports are provided in the Washington folder of the Reports home page.
• Burn backups to media to send to auditors. (located in the Vision backups folder)
• Electronic Schedules 04 and 05 for the state are located in the Washington folder of the Reports page. (Export to CSV and send to State Auditors)
• Set up Council Meeting dates for 2011 in Setup Fiscals on Home page.
• 2012 Budget in Budget Forecasting. (How To Guide Financials)
• 308 account Beginning Fund Balances are New General Journal credit postings.

Open Period

• You now have the ability to set up a January 2012 council meeting for 2011 obligations.
• Go to Setup Fiscals on Home Page of Financials.
• Highlight 2011 in the Fiscal column and December in the Period column.
• Click the + button above the Council Date to add the new meeting for open period payments.
• It is recommended that a new Council Meeting also be set up in the month of December for a 2011 corrections period as well.
• All end of year corrections will be easily identifiable.

Reports to run for Financials
To create a set of paperless reports:

• Create a folder 2011 End of Year in desired location
• Run desired reports, select Acrobat(PDF) file format, and Export, save report in 2011 folder
• Reports may be printed if desired
• All report parameters should include the fiscal year desired, and all periods within that year
• Account Activity - Rendered for Excel (this report is not for printing, there are too many columns)
• Outstanding Transaction Directory
• Register
• Transaction Activity
• Vendor Activity
• Annual Reports are in the Washington folder on Reports home page

Payroll year end tips

• Process W-2s in the Forms menu. (How To - Vision W2's And 1099's)
• Remember, payroll for 2011 may be processed before W-2s are printed.
• Set up Pay Periods for 2011 in Setup Pay Periods on Home page.
• Change new L&I and Employment Security rates in Components.
• Remember, rate changes for all components may be changed very quickly by selecting the component, clicking on the Employee tab, and changing all employee amounts on one screen

Reports to run for Payroll

• Benefit Summary (for each Component Group)
• Component Activity
• Component Directory
• Component Employee Directory
• Cost Center Account Activity (Detail option)
• Cost Center Timesheet Activity
• Employee Activity
• Employee Component Directory
• Paycheck Activity
• Paycheck Detail Activity
• Payroll Distribution
• Register
• Timesheet Activity
• Timesheet Summary Activity

Please contact Craig for more information.

 01/06/2012 - 2011 Year End for ASP

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

To our friends and customers:

We would like to thank you once again for choosing Vision to support your ASP needs.

Your continual trust over the years is greatly appreciated.

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!


IRS W2 Changes

The good news for 2011 is that there are no changes to the 2010 format. What this means to you is that the application that Vision provided to you last year will continue to provide a solution for the ASP product line. Please download the ASP 1099 & W2 Instructions provided with the link below.

The 2012 Publication 15 (Circular E) is not available for downloading. Please refer to Notice 1036 in the meantime.

ASP customers will find the the Withholding Allowance Schedule is on page 1 of Notice 1036. The Annual Tax Schedule is located on page 4, Table 7 of Notice 1036. Congress extended the 4.2% employee Social Security tax rate through Feb. 29, 2012 (employee portion only), as per page 1 of Notice 1036. Note: If you have multiple Social Security and Medicare rates, adjust accordingly.

Helpful Links:

ASP W2's And 1099's

2012 IRS W2 and W3 Instructions

2012 Standard Mileage Rates

2012 Publication 15 (Circular E not yet available, will be linked when available)


Year End Procedures (ASP)

Wrapping up 2011 - ASP Year End Task List

Here are some tips on how to get ready as the end of year approaches.


Payroll:

• Remember to process your W-2's before you close 2011 in Payroll
• Make at least two backup copies
• Print any hard copies of reports you wish to keep
• Do your year-end close for 2011 ( You must close 2011 before you journal any payroll in 2012)

Budget:

• If you posted 2012 budget as a next year item, make sure it is journalized before you close 2011
• If you posted 2012 budget as a current year item, do not journal until you have closed 2011
• Post your ending fund balances to your 508's in the General Journal Posting
• Print all desired reports
• Make at least 2 backup copies
• Remember to close the month and the year at the Year End Close

Please contact Craig for more information.

 12/19/2011 - Holiday Office Closures

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT: Office Closures

Vision Municipal Solutions will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26,
and Monday, Jan. 2 in observance of Christmas and New Year's.

Vision and ASP clients who contact us by e-mail or phone with questions
during this time will receive responses in the order they were received when
the office reopens on Tuesday, Dec. 27 and Tuesday, Jan. 3.

We welcome your inquiries and do appreciate your patience at this time.

 08/17/2011 - 2011 Vision Conference Invitation

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

Vision Annual Conference

Join us in Leavenworth on October 17^th, 18^th, and 19^thfor the 2011 Vision Conference.

We are very happy with the Agenda we have been able to put together to share the latest information and training for the entire Vision Software suite,
Reporting Services for Vision and ASP, and ASP Budget, Payroll, and Utility Billing.

Training Workshops
Each day we will be providing four training tracks to choose from. In addition to these training tracks you will have non-software trainings throughout
each day that will be of benefit to you as well.

With multiple simultaneous training tracks offered each day, it is a perfect opportunity for multiple employees to attend and then acquire more
knowledge to share with each other when you return to the office.

Click here to register now!

Location

Enzian Inn
500 Highway 2
Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-5269

Make your reservation early to take advantage the group discount. Be sure to mention the Vision Conference Group number 8610.

We look forward to seeing you in Leavenworth!

Click here to register now!

This year’s conference pricing will include all meals; including Tuesday night’s Gala Dinner, Awards (from Monday night’s mini-golf tourney), and
Entertainment; and Monday and Tuesday nights' Evening Receptions. Each attendee will receive a certificate for 6 CPE Credits.

 08/10/2011 - Bars Restructure                                                        Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

Changes were made to the BARS structure. These changes came from the results of surveys, workgroup meetings, and rebuilding the current BARS structure. The new Chart of accounts will be included in the 2012 BARS update and required for 2013 financial statements.

The new chart of accounts eliminated various detailed accounts because they were not being used steadily.

“Local government still can use previous accounts to keep historical data or create new ones for additional internal accounting and reporting needs.  However, reporting to the State Auditor’s Office must be consistent with the new chart of accounts, which in most cases will be at a high level.” (State Auditor’s Office.)

The number of categories and details were reduced across the chart of accounts.  Some accounts were moved to create more distinct operating categories.

BARS Code	Existing Category	New Category
510	General Government Services	General Government Activities
520	Public Safety	Public Safety Activities
530	Utilities and Environment	Utilities
540	Transportation	Transportation
550	Economic Environment	Natural and Economic Environment
560	Mental and Physical Health	Social Services
570	Culture and Recreation	Culture and Recreation

Click the following links to view the changes to Revenues and Expenditures and you may also view the Restructuring Comparison chart for both Revenues and Expenditures.

 08/10/2011 - Fire Districts BARS Restructure

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

Following the BARS revised chart of accounts also comes a BARS revised chart of accounts for Fire Districts!

Below are some key changes made to the Fire District chart of accounts. (Information from State Auditor’s Office)

Revenues:

Expenditures:

For more information view the Fire District BARS document or see the Comparison chart from past to present.

 05/27/2011 - Utilities Launch Events Center                                    Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

We had a wonderful time visting Burlington, Longview, Yakima, Okanogan, and staying in our own backyard of Spokane to share our new Utilities software application with about 90 individuals from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Please visit the Utilities Launch Events Center to view the PowerPoint presentation from the Events or download it for more information about our new software application.

Thank you if you were able to attend one of the events! If you were not able to, we hope you enjoy viewing the next generation of Utilities software and we look forward to hearing from you!

The Vision Team

 04/20/2011 - Vision Utilities Community Launch Events                  Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

May 17-19 & May 24-26

See the next generation of software for utility providers.

Vision Utilities is the latest municipal software application designed by Vision Municipal Solutions, a leading municipal software firm serving cities and special districts in Washington state with Payroll, Financials, Cash Management, and Utilities applications.

These events are open to all, but we we ask you to register to ensure your spot at the event of your choice!

Join us at one of the Vision Utilities Community Launch Events to discover how you can leverage the power of Microsoft SQL Server together with Reporting Services integrated into a Microsoft Office based user interface to meet the needs of any utility provider.

In this demo-filled day, we will look at how we have developed our software to incorporate all the best technologies into Vision Utilities; like Windows 7, Office 2007/2010 ribbon control, SQL Server, Reporting Services, and wizard driven automation into a secure, reliable, cost-reducing application.

So whether you have been one of our customers for the last 20 years, or we have never had the opportunity to introduce ourselves to your agency, please accept our invitation to attend this exciting launch event.

Please visit the Vision Utilities Micro-site to learn more about the software and launch event locations and to register to see Vision Utilities in action live!

We look forward to seeing you at one of the events!
The Vision Team

 04/07/2011 - Upcoming Vision Workshops, Training, and Cash Management Module Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

Cash Management Module Publish

We are getting ready to publish an update for Vision Cash Management. This update will allow for the posting of receipts in Vision Cash Management for ASP Utility Billing with automatic updating to Vision Financials.

Featured highlights:


Be sure to check the entire list of updates in your Help menu icon. Also, be sure to make arrangements with your IT staff to accommodate the publish if it is required at your agency. We are scheduling the Publish for Monday, April 11th.



2011 Software Assurance Workshops

Vision workshops are intended to provide a forum for open discussions as to how we can improve our software. We will also cover the future development of the software and technology choices. As always this years workshops are free as part of your Software Assurance Plan. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

To register, please complete the registration form. Class size will be limited, so register early to guarantee your spot.


Vision Reporting Services Training

Vision advocates the importance of training and wishes to provide opportunities for you to obtain the knowledge to successfully get a better understanding of your software. The trainings will focus on working with your existing reports more efficiently, custom report builder, snapshots, and subscriptions. Learn more


Direct Access customers receive a 25% reduction on registration fees.

To register, please complete the registration form. Class size will be limited, so register early to guarantee your spot.




IRS issues W-2 reporting guidance from the AWC CityVoice

Filing less than 250 W-2’s? IRS Notice 2011-28 delays your health premium tax reporting requirement. Learn more on the IRS website.



Are we serving all of your needs?

We invite you to take a further look at our solutions in addition to software; Professional Services, IT Services, and Vision Forms.

Thanks for your continued support. It's always a pleasure helping each of you improve your efficiency with the software!
The Vision Team

 04/04/2011 - Vision at WMCA, WMTA, and Annual Report Training Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

We would like to thank everyone who said hi at the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA) Conference. Toni, Pat, and Chad enjoyed their time at the conference speaking with our current users and future users.

We have two congratulations from the conference we would like to share with everyone. As a company we were all thrilled for Margo Tackett, the Clerk-Treasurer of the City of Westport, upon witnessing her receiving the Clerk of the Year Award! It is our honor as a company to provide software and services to cities like Westport, to make the daily work of municipal workers more efficient. And congratulations to Jodi Lee Wycoff, Deputy City Clerk of the City of Duvall, for winning the 23" Monitor from our booth giveaway.

On a fun note, it was a pleasure for Vision to be able to sponsor the charter bus to and from the Dinner Cruise. The feedback we received of heartfelt thanks that everyone appreciated having safe transportation to the cruise and back to the hotel, after an evening of great food and entertainment was very rewarding.

We would also like to thank each of you who attended one of our Annual Financial Report Trainings. The feedback we have received has been very positive. Whether you were able to attend or not, we have published the training documents for download in the VisHub Forum.

We truly enjoy the time we are able to spend as sponsors of Association events tied to the work you do and look forward to seeing you in the near future at a conference or at one of our company events. We are excited to see those of you who are attending the Washington Municipal Treasurers Association Conference April 13-15 in Chelan. We will see you on Wednesday at the Golf Tournament and Dinner back at Campbell's Resort.

Keep your eyes on your inbox in the next couple weeks for e-newsletters announcing further details about upcoming Software Assurance Workshops, Reporting Services Trainings, the Cash Management ASP Module publish, and the statewide Utility Billing Launch Events.

Thank you!
The Vision Team

 03/10/2011 - Vision Financials Software Publish                             Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

We are getting ready to publish an update for Vision Financials. The main highlight of this publish is to ensure that the Annual Report Package meets the State's requirements. Be sure to check the entire list of updates in your Help menu icon. Also, be sure to make arrangements with your IT staff to accommodate the publish if it is required at your agency. We are scheduling the publish for Thursday, March 17th.

Thanks for your continued support.
The Vision Team

 01/17/2011 - 2011 Vision Annual Financial Report Training Schedule Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

The Annual Financial Report due date is May 30th. We have confirmed our training locations and dates and wanted to get this release to you immediately so that you can make your plans to attend one of these valuable classes.

     · March 1st: Dupont - Liberty Inn
     · March 2nd: Burlington - Hampton Inn
     · March 4th: Spokane - Hampton Inn (near the Spokane Airport)
     · March 8th: Yakima - Oxford Suites
     · March 9th: Omak - Koala Street Grill (Located at 914 Koala Ave.)

The class will cover the preparation and presentation of a "Cash Basis" Annual Financial Report for all Local Government entities reporting in Washington State. The session will include a comprehensive review of all required statements,schedules and notes for cash basis financial reporting. We will additionally focus on all of the new report changes for 2010 and those in the 2011 BARS update that are being retroactively applied to 2010. Course content will include:

     · Fund analysis and consolidation for reporting purposes
     · GASB 54 impacts (Special Revenue funds and reserves) and how to report
     · Financial Statement format changes (C1,C2,C4,C5)
     · Supplemental schedule changes (Schedule 04,05,09,11,12,16,17,19,20,21,22)
     · Incorporation of financial data not previously reported
          ^o Long-term liabilities
          ^o Reserved and Unreserved fund balances (beginning/ending)

For our Vision customers we will additionally be reviewing the software system updates that will address the fund rollups and statement changes and for our ASP customers and all other attendees will be review the best method for implementation of these changes.

Course materials shall include the samples of all required reporting schedules,statements and notes for your individual entity type. Everyone is encouraged to attend, whether you are a City, County, Special Purpose District, Fire,Library, Conservation, Port or Transit you have a reporting requirement. Bring last year's annual report plus 2010 year end financials (revenue/ expenditure reports, cash and investment activity&/or treasurer's report) for class use and reference.

For our Direct Access customers remember that you get a 25% reduction on registration fees.

To register, please complete the registration form. Class size will be limited, so register early to guarantee your spot.

     · Registration fee is $100 (includes lunch)
     · Registration opens at 8:30 AM.
     · Class begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM
     · A course certificate of completion will be provided for those who need CPE.

We look forward to seeing you at a class!
The Professional Services Team

 01/11/2011 - Reporting from Vision Financials                                Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

The 2011 BARS updates have been released and several of the changes are being retroactively applied to the 2010 report year. If you haven't had a chance to review this update you can be assured that our Professional Services division has already completed this analysis. There are new reports needed, changes to formatting for financial statements and supplemental schedules and new posting requirements for beginning and ending fund balances.

We want to let you know that we are already working on the needed updates for both Financials and Payroll in order to meet these new reporting requirements. There will be a few items that you will want to prepare for that are not part of the financials system update, those are:

• Notes to Financials - revisions that include the budget appropriations for the report year (no longer reported on the financial statements)
• Beginning and Ending fund balance posting for both "reserved" and "unreserved" balances (this was an optional allocation that is now required)
• Long-Term liabilities must now be reported on Schedule 09
• Fund roll up and reclassification (the Vision update will include the ability to select which funds to roll, but you must evaluate which ones need to be rolled)

We hope to have these updates available to you by mid-February so that you can begin to prepare your Annual Financial reports.

If you have any questions, please contact Toni Nelson: Email or (509) 315-8845 ext 210.

 01/11/2011 - Reporting from ASP Financials                                   Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

The 2011 BARS updates have been released and several of the changes are being retroactively applied to the 2010 report year. If you haven't had a chance to review this update you can be assured that our "Professional Services" division has already completed this analysis. There are new reports, changes to formatting for financial statements and supplemental schedules and new financial information requirements for reserved and unreserved fund balances and long-term liabilities.

One of the most significant reporting requirements for our ASP customers is the rolling of multiple funds. General fund activities must be rolled into a single general fund and proprietary activities (typically your utility funds) must be rolled into a single fund for each utility. This requirement is applicable to the financial statements and the supplemental schedules (Schedules 04, 05, 11 & 12).

The second significant change is the re-configuration of the financial statements (C4 & C5's). The requirements of which funds to report on which schedule has changed, along with the removal of the budget columns and the inclusion of new fiscal data for reserved/unreserved fund balances (both beginning and ending balances) along with a total column for all funds reported.

Last but not least are the changes to Schedule 09 (debt) and the Notes to Financials. The schedule must include long-term liabilities and the Notes will now reflect the budget information previously reported on the financial statements.

For our ASP customers we want to let you know that while your software may not be able to comply with these format changes, our Professional Services division can help you with the steps needed. Financial reporting is a key audit compliance issue and we want our ASP clients to be successful in this area. Here are some steps that you can take as you prepare to draft your 2010 financials:

• Analyze your fund structure. Determine which funds need to be rolled and which ones will remain as a single reporting entity.
• Begin to make plans on how your will consolidate your multiple fund data onto the financial reports.
• Review your 2010 beginning balance entries and repost to reflect which balances are "reserved" and those that are "unreserved".
• Post ending fund balances with the same attention to "reserved" and "unreserved" designations.
• Download the new 2010 templates for financial statements and supplemental schedules.

We realize that you will have lots of questions about these new reporting requirements and would like to assure you that we here to help answer those questions. If you have any questions, please contact Toni Nelson: Email or (509) 315-8845 ext 210.

 01/11/2011 - 2011 Training Classes                                                 Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

As part of our new Professional Services division we will be providing Annual Financial Report training sessions at five different locations throughout the state. We will be scheduling these classes during the first two weeks of March.

The classes will focus on all of the new report changes in the 2010 and 2011 BARS updates (you will note that the 2011 updates have retroactively applied several changes to the 2010 report year). During the class we will review all of the changes imposed over the past two (2) years, such as:

• Fund analysis and consolidation for reporting purposes
• GASB 54 (Special Revenue funds) and how to report
• Financial Statement format changes (C1,C2,C4,C5)
• Supplemental schedule changes (Schedule 04,05,09,11,12,16,17,19,20,21,22)
• Incorporation of financial data not previously reported
  • Long-term liabilities
  • Reserved and Unreserved fund balances (beginning/ending)

For our Vision customers we will additionally be reviewing the software system updates that will address the fund rollups and statement changes.

For our ASP customers and all other attendees we will be reviewing the best method for implementation of these changes.

Mark your calendars for the following locations:

• Burlington
• Olympia area
• Omak
• Yakima
• Spokane

Remember financial reporting requirements apply to all entity types, so whether you are a city/county/fire district or other special purpose district such as Irrigation or Water/Sewer you must file a financial report with the State Auditor's Office. Come find out how to use your financial system to meet these requirements!

For our Direct Access customers remember that you get a 25% reduction on registration fees.

 12/30/2010 - 2010 Year End for Vision                                             Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

To our friends and customers:

We would like to thank you once again for choosing Vision.

Your trust and dedication over the past 5 years is greatly appreciated.

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

IRS W2 Changes

The good news for 2010 is that there are no changes to the 2009 format. Please refer to the How To - Vision W2's And 1099's provided with the link below.

The 2010 Publication 15 (Circular E) is not available for downloading. Please refer to Notice 1036 in the meantime.

Vision customers; your applications will automatically be updated January 3rd with Click-Once. The Withholding Allowance Schedule is on page 1 of Notice 1036. The Annual Tax Schedule is located on page 3 and 4 of Notice 1036. Social Security Tax rate for 2011 is 4.2% (employee portion only), as per page 1 of Notice 1036. Note: If you have multiple Social Security and Medicare rates, adjust accordingly.

Helpful Links:

How To - Vision W2's And 1099's

2010 IRS W2 and W3 Instructions

2011 Standard Mileage Rates

2010 Publication 15 (Circular E not yet available, will be linked when available)

Year End Procedures (Vision)

Here are some helpful hints for preparing 2010 year end

Remember there is no year change in Vision!

Financial year end tips

• Process 1099s in the Forms menu. (How To - Vision W2's And 1099's)
• 508 account Ending Fund Balances are New General Journal debit postings.
• All state schedules and annual reports are provided in the Washington folder of the Reports home page.
• Burn backups to media to send to auditors. (located in the Vision backups folder)
• Electronic Schedules 04 and 05 for the state are located in the Washington folder of the Reports page. (Export to CSV and send to State Auditors)
• Set up Council Meeting dates for 2010 in Setup Fiscals on Home page.
• 2011 Budget in Budget Forecasting. (How To Guide Financials)
• 308 account Beginning Fund Balances are New General Journal credit postings.

Open Period

• You now have the ability to set up a January 2011 council meeting for 2010 obligations.
• Go to Setup Fiscals on Home Page of Financials.
• Highlight 2010 in the Fiscal column and December in the Period column.
• Click the + button above the Council Date to add the new meeting for open period payments.
• It is recommended that a new Council Meeting also be set up in the month of December for a 2010 corrections period as well.
• All end of year corrections will be easily identifiable.

Reports to run for Financials
To create a set of paperless reports:

• Create a folder 2010 End of Year in desired location
• Run desired reports, select Acrobat(PDF) file format, and Export, save report in 2010 folder
• Reports may be printed if desired
• All report parameters should include the fiscal year desired, and all periods within that year
• Account Activity - Rendered for Excel (this report is not for printing, there are too many columns)
• Outstanding Transaction Directory
• Register
• Transaction Activity
• Vendor Activity
• Annual Reports are in the Washington folder on Reports home page

Payroll year end tips

• Process W-2s in the Forms menu. (How To - Vision W2's And 1099's)
• Remember, payroll for 2010 may be processed before W-2s are printed.
• Set up Pay Periods for 2010 in Setup Pay Periods on Home page.
• Change new L&I and Employment Security rates in Components.
• Remember, rate changes for all components may be changed very quickly by selecting the component, clicking on the Employee tab, and changing all employee amounts on one screen

Reports to run for Payroll

• Benefit Summary (for each Component Group)
• Component Activity
• Component Directory
• Component Employee Directory
• Cost Center Account Activity (Detail option)
• Cost Center Timesheet Activity
• Employee Activity
• Employee Component Directory
• Paycheck Activity
• Paycheck Detail Activity
• Payroll Distribution
• Register
• Timesheet Activity
• Timesheet Summary Activity

Please contact Craig for more information.

 12/30/2010 - 2010 Year End for ASP                                                Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

To our friends and customers:

We would like to thank you once again for choosing Vision to support your ASP needs.

Your trust and dedication over the past 5 years is greatly appreciated.

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

IRS W2 Changes

The good news for 2010 is that there are no changes to the 2009 format. What this means to you is that the application that Vision provided to you last year will continue to provide a solution for the ASP product line. Please download the ASP 1099 & W2 Instructions provided with the link below.

The 2010 Publication 15 (Circular E) is not available for downloading. Please refer to Notice 1036 in the meantime.

ASP customers will find the Withholding Allowance Schedule is on page 1 of Notice 1036. The Annual Tax Schedule is located on page 4, Table 7 of Notice 1036. Social Security Tax rate for 2011 is 4.2% (employee portion only), as per page 1 of Notice 1036. Note: If you have multiple Social Security and Medicare rates, adjust accordingly.

Vision customers; your applications will automatically be updated January 3rd with Click-Once.

Helpful Links:

ASP 1099 & W2 Instructions

2010 IRS W2 and W3 Instructions

2011 Standard Mileage Rates

2010 Publication 15 (Circular E not yet available, will be linked when available)

Year End Procedures (ASP)

Wrapping up 2010 - ASP Year End Task List

Here are some tips on how to get ready as the end of year approaches.

Payroll:

• Remember to process your W-2's before you close 2010 in Payroll
• Make at least two backup copies
• Print any hard copies of reports you wish to keep
• Do your year-end close for 2010 ( You must close 2010 before you journal any payroll in 2011)

Budget:

• If you posted 2011 budget as a next year item, make sure it is journalized before you close 2010
• If you posted 2011 budget as a current year item, do not journal until you have closed 2010
• Post your ending fund balances to your 508's in the General Journal Posting
• Print all desired reports
• Make at least 2 backup copies
• Remember to close the month and the year at the Year End Close

Please contact Craig for more information.

 12/21/2010 - HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT: Office Closures              Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

Vision Municipal Solutions will be closed Thursday, Dec. 23, Friday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 31, 2010 in observance of Christmas and New Year's.

Vision and ASP clients who contact us by e-mail or phone with questions during this time will receive responses in the order they were received when the office reopens on Monday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Jan. 3.

We welcome your inquiries and do appreciate your patience at this time.

 12/06/2010 - Software Publish                                                         Top of the page

  Posted by: Chad Heaton

Thank you all for a wonderful time at our annual conference in Leavenworth. We were very uplifted by your continued support and positive response to our efforts of growth. Vision truly would not be here without your trust.

We are getting ready to publish an update for Vision Financials, Payroll, and Cash Management. The main highlights are a new user defined Expenditure/Revenue report (line spacing, top of form, report levels), a new Chart of Accounts add routine, a new parameter filter in Reconciliation, and new parameters in most Payroll reports. Be sure to check the entire list of updates in your Help menu icon. Also, be sure to make arrangements with your IT staff to accommodate the publish if it is required at your agency.We are scheduling the Publish for Thursday, December 9th.

Thanks for your continued support. It's been a pleasure serving you all this past year.
The Vision Team.