Navigating the Selection of Financial Software for Parish and Town Councils
Your Guide to Government Finance in the UK
Essential Features for Local Council Financial Management
AGAR (Section 2) Production:
The ability to easily produce the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) Section 2 is essential for compliance. The software should simplify this process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
Integrated Asset Register:
A comprehensive asset register within your financial management software helps track and manage council assets effectively, from acquisition to disposal, including maintenance schedules and valuations.
Reserves Management:
Effective reserves management is crucial for financial planning and sustainability. The software should allow for easy tracking and reporting of reserve funds.
S.137 Expenditure Tracking:
Ensure the software can track and report on Section 137 spending, allowing for proper compliance and reporting on this discretionary spending power.
VAT 126 & Making Tax Digital:
Compliance with VAT requirements and Making Tax Digital is a must. The software should facilitate easy VAT reporting and submission, including VAT 126 reports for reclaiming VAT.
Power to Spend Analysis:
The ability to track and justify the council's spending powers, including compliance with the Localism Act's 'General Power of Competence,' is crucial for transparency and accountability.
Explanation of Variances:
The software should provide an easy way to explain variances in budgeting and spending, a requirement for year-end reporting and ensuring financial transparency.
Payments Awaiting Authorisation:
A feature that highlights payments awaiting authorization can enhance financial controls and oversight, preventing unauthorized or mistaken transactions.
Quarterly Budgeting and Forecasting:
Advanced tools for budgeting and forecasting on at least a quarterly basis are essential for effective financial management, allowing councils to adjust to changing financial circumstances proactively.
Evaluating the Reliability and User-Friendliness
User-Friendliness
Efficiency in Critical Processe
Efficiency in Critical Processe
How user-friendly is the software? Can all team members, from clerks and admin assistants to financial officers and councillors, navigate it with ease? A platform with an intuitive interface, similar to
Scribe Accounts reduces the learning curve.
Efficiency in Critical Processe
Efficiency in Critical Processe
Efficiency in Critical Processe
Does the software require users to have advanced financial knowledge?
Evaluate how efficiently the software manages essential tasks and workflows. Solutions designed to streamline these processes, allow access by multiple team members can significantly reduce workload and stress.
Expertise and Training
Efficiency in Critical Processe
Expertise and Training
What level of customer support is available? What is the experience of the support team in local council finances? Does the software provider offer email and phone support? Is training provided, and if so, is it free or at an additional cost? It's essential to understand any hidden costs that might emerge in the long run.
Regular Updates
Remote Access & Multi-Device Compatibility
Expertise and Training
Ask how regularly is the software updated with new features and security measures? Does it require manual intervention (updating software on your desktop) for updates, or are they rolled out automatically?
Remote Access & Multi-Device Compatibility
Remote Access & Multi-Device Compatibility
Remote Access & Multi-Device Compatibility
In our increasingly connected world, can members access the software remotely across various devices, including laptops, tablets, and mobile phones? Does the software support different levels of access controls, like aminstrator and read only access levels
Data Security & Backup
Remote Access & Multi-Device Compatibility
Remote Access & Multi-Device Compatibility
How secure is the data, and what backup measures are in place? In case of unforeseen challenges, how resilient is the system?
Switch To Smart Accounting Software.
I've been using Scribe Accounts for 3 years now (the last year with a new parish council) and would recommend it to any parish clerks who are looking for a bespoke finance package which will save them time and provide great support."
Clare Dolman, Trustpilot