Category Archives: Technology

New Year Dictionary of Governmental Budget and Accounting Terms

By Black Mountain Software | Published January 11, 2019

Has your EOY caused your prior-year encumbrances and expenditures to deplete your reserves, or were you in the black because those expenditures were WRTFY?

If all this budget and accounting talk has your head spinning, we’re going to lighten it up with some Happy New Year Vocabulary, courtesy of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.

So if you don’t know your program budget from your appropriations, give them a quick once-over with a New Year Review of Governmental Budget and Accounting Terms.

NEW YEAR DICTIONARY OF ACCOUNTING & BUDGET TERMS

H – Hourly (or Non-Exempt)
An employee who fills a temporary or short-term position. Read more >

Posted in Accounting Basics, Back to School Tips, Best Practices, BMS Events, BMS Partners, BMS Products, BMS Staff, BMS Tech Tips, City Clerk Cafe, Clerks in the News, Cloud Computing, Customer Spotlight, Dashboard News, Government Accounting Standards, Latest News, Office Efficiency, School Software, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized, Utility Billing | Leave a comment

Goal Setting by Month for a Better and Balanced Work Year

By Black Mountain Software | Published January 7, 2019

How was 2018 for you? Did you accomplish all you wanted to accomplish? Did you do everything you hoped you would do? Were you able to strike a balance between work and relaxation?

How the previous year went plays a large role in determining how we execute our goals and resolutions for the year to come. If portions of your work life left you feeling the need for a little more organization and fun in 2019, here are a few monthly suggestions to spark some enthusiasm in your goal planning for the New Year.

Month-By-Month Goal Setting for a Better and Balanced Work Year

January
Set work and personal goals for the New Year.  Read more >

Posted in Accounting Basics, Back to School Tips, Best Practices, BMS Events, BMS Partners, BMS Products, BMS Staff, BMS Tech Tips, Clerks in the News, Cloud Computing, Customer Spotlight, Office Efficiency, School Software, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized, Utility Billing | Leave a comment

Goal Setting by Month for a Better and Balanced Work Year

By Black Mountain Software | Published January 7, 2019

How was 2018 for you? Did you accomplish all you wanted to accomplish? Did you do everything you hoped you would do? Were you able to strike a balance between work and relaxation?

How the previous year went plays a large role in determining how we execute our goals and resolutions for the year to come. If portions of your work life left you feeling the need for a little more organization and fun in 2019, here are a few monthly suggestions to spark some enthusiasm in your goal planning for the New Year.

Month-By-Month Goal Setting for a Better and Balanced Work Year

January
Set work and personal goals for the New Year.  Read more >

Posted in Accounting Basics, Back to School Tips, Best Practices, BMS Events, BMS Partners, BMS Products, BMS Staff, BMS Tech Tips, City Clerk Cafe, Clerks in the News, Cloud Computing, Customer Spotlight, Latest News, Office Efficiency, School Software, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized, Utility Billing | Leave a comment

Helping You Adapt to Change

By Black Mountain Software | Published December 20, 2018

“The only thing that’s constant is change.”

Regulations change, reporting requirements change, and technology changes, too. Within the past few years, we’ve seen a number of reporting requirements change–from the Montana Public Retirement System to Federal Affordable Care Act reporting. These changes are frustrating for clients. It means new reports, more data entry and a system to check for errors. But we are determined to ease that pain, to the best of our ability, by creating add-ons to our software and updating our systems whenever there are new mandated compliance requirements for our clients.

How BMS Software Eases the Pain of Changing Compliance Requirements

  • US-based support.
    • Read more >
    Posted in Accounting Basics, Best Practices, BMS Products, BMS Staff, BMS Tech Tips, Government Accounting Standards, School Software, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized, Utility Billing | Leave a comment

    Helping You Adapt to Change

    By Black Mountain Software | Published December 20, 2018

    “The only thing that’s constant is change.”

    Regulations change, reporting requirements change, and technology changes, too. Within the past few years, we’ve seen a number of reporting requirements change–from the Montana Public Retirement System to Federal Affordable Care Act reporting. These changes are frustrating for clients. It means new reports, more data entry and a system to check for errors. But we are determined to ease that pain, to the best of our ability, by creating add-ons to our software and updating our systems whenever there are new mandated compliance requirements for our clients.

    How BMS Software Eases the Pain of Changing Compliance Requirements

  • US-based support.
    • Read more >
    Posted in Accounting Basics, Best Practices, BMS Products, BMS Staff, BMS Tech Tips, City Clerk Cafe, Government Accounting Standards, Latest News, School Software, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized, Utility Billing | Leave a comment

    Why We Are Grateful, In Eight Words for Thanksgiving

    By Black Mountain Software | Published November 19, 2018

    “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve gratitude.”

    It’s easy to get bogged down in all that life throws at us. But fortunately, it’s even easier to be grateful. At Black Mountain Software, we are here because someone had an idea, and someone else thought it was good enough to buy. Twenty-six years later, we have a strong business with a great clientele in one of the most beautiful places in the world. And for that, today we must say, we are so grateful! Grateful for this opportunity, this industry, this location, and our customers, of course. Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, BMS Events, BMS Partners, BMS Products, BMS Staff, BMS Tech Tips, Government Accounting Standards, School Software, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized, Utility Billing | Leave a comment

    USDA Allocates $4B for Grants and Low-Cost Loans

    By Black Mountain Software | Published August 27, 2018

    Given that we specialize in Utility Billing software and many of our clients live in small, rural areas, we are excited to report that the United States Department of Agriculture has set aside four billion dollars for grants and low-cost loans to improve rural water infrastructure.

    The program aims to provide funding for drinking water systems, sewage/solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage for qualified households and businesses in eligible areas, which include most state and local government entities in towns with populations of ten thousand or less, private nonprofits, and federally-recognized Tribal organizations in rural areas.

    Applications can be filled out online via the RD Apply tool or through a local USDA Rural Development state field office. Read more >

    Posted in Accounting Basics, Best Practices, BMS Events, BMS Partners, BMS Products, BMS Tech Tips, City Clerk Cafe, Government Accounting Standards, Latest News, Office Efficiency, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized, Utility Billing | Leave a comment

    Five Reasons Work Breaks Are Important

    By Black Mountain Software | Published July 23, 2018

    John Lubbock, author of The Use of Life said, “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”

    Did he perhaps know something we do not?

    As workdays grow longer, and the lines between work and home life continue to blur, the need for midday “me time” seems to be ignored. Taking a lunch is sometimes unheard of, so why would anyone take breaks?

    While some may frown upon the 15 or 20 minute break from work, many believe breaks are key to continued concentration, focus, brain function, energy, calmness and creativity—all of which are essential to a productive and happy work environment. Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, BMS Staff, BMS Tech Tips, City Clerk Cafe, Office Efficiency, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

    Five Reasons Work Breaks Are Important

    By Black Mountain Software | Published July 23, 2018

    John Lubbock, author of The Use of Life said, “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”

    Did he perhaps know something we do not?

    As workdays grow longer, and the lines between work and home life continue to blur, the need for midday “me time” seems to be ignored. Taking a lunch is sometimes unheard of, so why would anyone take breaks?

    While some may frown upon the 15 or 20 minute break from work, many believe breaks are key to continued concentration, focus, brain function, energy, calmness and creativity—all of which are essential to a productive and happy work environment. Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, BMS Staff, BMS Tech Tips, Office Efficiency, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

    The Importance of City Permitting and How BMS Can Help

    By Black Mountain Software | Published September 6, 2017

    Permitting is an important and necessary process for cities and towns that controls and regulates construction to ensure that all work is done according to municipal code. It can be a long and arduous process for both the applicant and the municipality, but it is necessary to sustain the economic interests, safety, and growth of any community.

    Why City Permitting is Important:

    • Permitting regulates and controls construction to ensure work meets codes and city ordinances
    • Permitting helps ensure work has been done safely and inspected (if required)
    • Permitting helps enforce safety, convenience, and aesthetic standards for the city
    • Aids in establishing and maintaining property information
    • Helps enforce zoning laws
    • Permitting protects residential and commercial property value
    • Permitting helps track growth and plan for future development of land, utilities, and public services

    Though this process is generally a tedious one, Black Mountain Software offers a Permitting module designed to assist and streamline your city’s efforts. Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, BMS Products, BMS Tech Tips, City Clerk Cafe, Government Accounting Standards, Small Cities, Technology, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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