UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 16, Page 8
January 5, 1995
TechTalk
Departmental accounting package gets rave reviews

     Departments across campus are using a new departmental accounting
software package on the MVS system and have found it to be a helpful
and effective way to keep track of revenues and expenses and to create
reports for individual or multiple accounts.
     The pilot software was developed in conjunction with the College
of Marine Studies. Robin Harbaugh, Senior Administrative Assistant,
has been instrumental in helping the Information Technologies staff
design a program that includes functions most account managers are
accustomed to using.
     The new package allows a user to track revenues and expenses as
they occur, and to compare (or "reconcile") the unit's records -
online-with those held by General Accounting. Up-to-the minute
balances and reports are available by account code, object code or
project label.
     In addition, a "view-only" feature allows administrators to see
the current status of any of their accounts at any given time-one of
the most convenient features, Harbaugh said. "We no longer have to
mail out summary sheets or the general accounting statement, and
General Accounting will only have to send us one set of accounting
statements for audit purposes, which will save lots of paper," she
said.
     Currently, a users group meets monthly to discuss ways to enhance
the program and to share ideas on how to more effectively use it or
apply it in the workplace.
     A bulletin board on MVS also is devoted to this program, where
programmers post updates to the software and solutions to frequently
asked questions. Online help is available from within the program, and
a paper document is provided when a department is added to the system.
     For more information or to use the new software, contact Bev
Murray in management information services at 831-6070.
                                                          -Ruth Glazer