Category Archives: Uncategorized

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

    8 Signs You Are Close to Retirement

    By Black Mountain Software | Published December 10, 2018

    There is a rapidly aging demographic in the workforce, and city clerks are no exception. In fact, when we surveyed the 700 City Clerk Café members in 2013 to find out more about them, a staggering 80 percent were over the age of 40.

    With retirement looming for many city clerks, and retirement planning for the future on the minds of the remaining city clerks, it seems relevant and timely to discuss what being “ready” for retirement actually means. So, we’ve put together a list of eight signs that could mean your days basking in the sun under a palm tree are nearing. Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, BMS Events, BMS Staff, Clerks in the News, Government Accounting Standards, Office Efficiency, Small Cities, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

    8 Signs You Are Close to Retirement

    By Black Mountain Software | Published December 10, 2018

    There is a rapidly aging demographic in the workforce, and city clerks are no exception. In fact, when we surveyed the 700 City Clerk Café members in 2013 to find out more about them, a staggering 80 percent were over the age of 40.

    With retirement looming for many city clerks, and retirement planning for the future on the minds of the remaining city clerks, it seems relevant and timely to discuss what being “ready” for retirement actually means. So, we’ve put together a list of eight signs that could mean your days basking in the sun under a palm tree are nearing. Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, BMS Events, BMS Staff, City Clerk Cafe, Clerks in the News, Government Accounting Standards, Latest News, Office Efficiency, Small Cities, Uncategorized | 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

    Five Fall-Inspired Alternatives to Drip Coffee

    By Black Mountain Software | Published November 15, 2018

    It’s the season of change and while we often don’t think twice before changing out our sandals for boots, or sunglasses for gloves, we don’t often think about changing up our in-office routine for something a bit more festive.

    The proof is in the pudding (or at least, in your coffee cup)! Think about it…how often do you make a run for that same pot of office coffee without even thinking about sprucing up your caffeine routine for something a little tastier?

    So, if your tongue is begging for a seasonal update to that black cup of Joe, consider these fall alternatives to your drip coffee—no trip to Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte required! Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, BMS Staff, Office Efficiency, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

    Five Fall-Inspired Alternatives to Drip Coffee

    By Black Mountain Software | Published November 15, 2018

    It’s the season of change and while we often don’t think twice before changing out our sandals for boots, or sunglasses for gloves, we don’t often think about changing up our in-office routine for something a bit more festive.

    The proof is in the pudding (or at least, in your coffee cup)! Think about it…how often do you make a run for that same pot of office coffee without even thinking about sprucing up your caffeine routine for something a little tastier?

    So, if your tongue is begging for a seasonal update to that black cup of Joe, consider these fall alternatives to your drip coffee—no trip to Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte required! Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, City Clerk Cafe, Latest News, Office Efficiency, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

    Stay Connected with Black Mountain Software

    If you sign up for Black Mountain Software emails, about 4 times per year you will receive a special email designed for organizations like yours that are not already Black Mountain customers. We won’t clutter your inbox, and we will provide information relevant and helpful to you. And don’t worry, your email address is never sold or given out to third parties.

    Select the Email Updates You'd Like to Receive:

    Other Ways to Stay Connected:

    Subscribe to the Blog Subscribe to City Clerk Cafe Connect with LinkedIn
    Follow on Facebook Follow on Twitter Connect on YouTube