How To

• 3% Income Tax Withholding Requirement Delayed
  
  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was signed into law on February 17, 2009, delays for one year the new withholding requirement for government payments to contractors under Internal Revenue Code subsection 3402(t). The requirement now applies to payments made after December 31, 2011.
   This review, by CPA Ric Nelson of Watkins Meegan, provides all the essentials you need to know.
• BizDev via the Veteran’s Institute for Procurement (VIP)
  

  TBS Principal Joe Jezior is a founding member of GovConNet, part of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. He along with other chamber members established the Veteran’s Institute for Procurement VIP - an educational training program for veteran business owners, principals and C-level executives.

• Borrowed Genius – Cloud Integration Platforms Deliver Dramatic Benefits.
  

  In this whitepaper series Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) review the vulnerabilities associated with traditional custom software integrations, explore the facets of the integration lifecycle and how ETL technology delivers dramatic efficiencies, and itemize the benefits of today’s cloud- and platform-based integrators for organizations looking to connect their Accounting systems with their corporate HR, CRM or other systems.

• Buyers Guide: Today’s Reporting Tools vs. Deltek Report Writers
  

  The TBS Buyers' Guide to Deltek Reporting explores the differences between reporting tools, like Claritas, and report writers. One empowers users -- Project Managers and Financial Managers alike -- with information. The other delivers data, or raw facts.

• Can I Save This GCS Premier Contract Setup?
  

  There are occasions when you may want to change the contract type (such as from a T&M contract type to a FP or CPFF contract type). This guide from Cordia Partners will help you make those conversions cleanly.

• Changing Pay Frequencies in GCS
  

  Aside from backing up your data, what other steps should you take in order to change pay frequencies? These steps from Cordia Partners will help you make the changes in a smooth and straightforward manner.

• Citrix XenApp Web Client Installation and Account Setup Instructions
  

  The PC or Laptop you are using to access applications hosted by TBS must have a standard Citrix Web Plug-in installed. This is a free application and only needs to be downloaded once per machine. To install the Citrix Web Plug-in, please follow these steps.

• Cloud Computing: Defining “The Cloud”
  

  This white paper by Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) will help you understand what cloud computing is and what it can do for your company. It’s the second in a series of TBS whitepapers on cloud computing that will define the cloud and discuss its benefits, why companies of all sizes, including Google, Microsoft and the Federal Government, are embracing it, and how you can leverage this new technology at your firm.

• Cloudy with a Chance of Savings: Automation Secrets Your Consultants May Not Want You to Know.
  

  Increasingly, corporate software is becoming more automated, turn-key and configurable, with powerful enterprise systems like Salesforce.com, Google Docs and Alfresco Document Management capable of installation, business-rule matching and deployment in literally a matter of weeks, even days.

  These agile, scalable systems leverage The Cloud for delivery and upgrades, and their ability to save significant IT resources and time over traditional “on-premise” software is generally well understood.

• Comp Time Policies – Accounting Impacts for Government Contractors
  

  The term “Comp Time” is often overused and can mean different things to different people. These suggestions by CPA Stephanie Widzinski of Watkins Meegan, will help guide you as you develop your firm's comp time policy.

• Deltek Vision Year-End Checklist
  

  At year-end, it's critically important for all Deltek Vision users to perform this key software checklist. This will ensure a smooth close for the current fiscal year and transition into the new fiscal year.

• DEMO VIDEO: An introduction to the TBS Claritas “My Projects” Module.
  

  An informative and informal introduction to TBS Claritas, user-friendly and budget-friendly Contract Performance and Information Management SaaS for Deltek.

• Document Retention Policies: How Long Should You Keep Things On-File?
  

  When should you hold on to documents and when should you toss them? This reference guide from Watkins Meegan should help you keep your documents under control.

• Does it Rain in the Cloud? The Importance of Having an Umbrella Just in Case.
  

  This whitepaper, by Mike Mellor and John Harder, Partners with Argy, Wiltse & Robinson PC's Business Consulting Group, demonstrates why it is best to be prepared when considering moving any aspect of your organization’s operations to the cloud. A key part of that vetting process should include the internal controls in place at the service provider and reviewing the results of any assurance services that have been performed over those controls.

• Financial Audits – Deficiencies & Material Weaknesses & Their Meaning
  

  A financial statement audit is designed to express an opinion on the financial statements, not on the entity's internal controls. However, obtaining an understanding of these controls remains a key part of every financial statement audit. Phil Philips, CPA of Watkins Meegan helps explain the language surrounding control gaps and deficiencies.

• Government Contracting Teaming and Procurement Strategies
  

  For Government Contractors located near the nation's capital, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has established the group Government Contractors Only (GCO) in an effort too promote teaming strategies and procurement opportunities via organized networking sessions and on-site visits with Montgomery County-based private Federal contractors.

• HOW-TO VIDEO: Deltek Time & Expense Utilization Inquiry
  

  In this quick video, our Deltek Time & Expense Product Director walks users through simple steps to query team utilization.

• HOW-TO VIDEO: Setting Up Your TBS WebDAV Connection
  

  This short video shows how to create a WebDAV connection to the TBS Hosting Center, for quick file uploads and downloads.

• Installing and Using WebDAV
  

  WebDAV stands for "Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning". It allows users to upload/download, edit and manage files on the TBS server. This How-To walks through the steps to setup and access WebDAV.

• IT. Agility for Your Enterprise?
  

  This white paper by Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) discusses how Enterprise Clouds are ushering in a new era of "Agile IT," technology that is flexible, nimble and scalable, empowering businesses to evolve and thrive. It’s the sixth in a series of TBS white papers on cloud computing that defines the enterprise cloud and discusses its benefits, why companies of all sizes, including Google, Microsoft and the Federal Government, are embracing it, and how you can leverage this new technology at your firm.

• John Burson on Income Statements
  

  What should a design firm's compiled financial statement look like? John Burson details some pointers for highlighting financial details in the A&E accounting environment.

• Loading Per Diem Rates for Deltek’s Expense Module
  

  Periodically the United States government will update the per diem rates for locations around the globe. These rates can be lumped into two groups, “CONUS”, which stands for Continental United States (includes all of the states except Hawaii and Alaska), and OCONUS which stands for Outside Continental United States. It is the responsibility of each Expense user to periodically download and upload the new rates to ensure accurate per diem amounts.

• New Software Integration model is “Genius.”
  

  In this whitepaper series Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) review the vulnerabilities associated with traditional custom software integrations, explore the facets of the integration lifecycle and how ETL technology delivers dramatic efficiencies, and itemize the benefits of today’s cloud- and platform-based integrators for organizations looking to connect their Accounting systems with their corporate HR, CRM or other systems.

• Password Worst Practice – Avoid It
  

  Password cracking is as easy as 123456, according to a recent study by Impervia of 32 million RockYou.com passwords.

• Planning and Control for the Non-Financial Manager
  

  The managing principal of a design firm is often an architect or engineer who is a non-financial manager not trained in accounting. In this article first published in A&E Business, John Burson details the key metrics non-financial managers should be aware of in their decision making process.

• Preparing Your Deltek GCS Premier System for 2011 Year-End
  
• Preparing Your Hosted Deltek Costpoint System for 2011 Year-End
  
• Preparing Your Hosted Deltek Vision System for 2011 Year-End
  
• Reconciliation Methods Best Practices
  

  It is Important that Unbilled Receivable Amounts in the General Ledger Are Reconciled to Computed Unbilled Receivables in the Billing and Accounts Receivable Module. Following these simple steps should make the process easier.

• Reconciling Accounts Payable – General Ledger Out of Balances in Deltek GCS
  

  Track down out of ballance discrepancies quickly with this guide from Cordia Partners. In it you will find seven common causes for the Open A/P report to differ from the amount in the General Ledger for the A/P account.

• Requirements for an Acceptable Accounting System
  

  By ensuring that your accounting system is set up properly, Cordia Partners show you how you can limit risk, reduce costs, and improve the quality of financial and operational information that is critical to make informed business decisions. 

• Security of a Higher Level – Unparalled Security and Compliance with the Enterprise Cloud
  

  In our first three installments of the TBS Whitepaper Series by Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) we’ve defined cloud computing and explored the differences between private and public cloud environments, and examined how public enterprise cloud hosting delivers a true reduction in costs, not just a transfer from in-house expenses to third-party charges. In this fourth installment in the series, we explore the security and compliance advantages of enterprise cloud hosting.

• Standardized Customizations – The Integration Lifecycle in The Cloud.
  

  In this whitepaper series Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) review the vulnerabilities associated with traditional custom software integrations, explore the facets of the integration lifecycle and how ETL technology delivers dramatic efficiencies, and itemize the benefits of today’s cloud- and platform-based integrators for organizations looking to connect their Accounting systems with their corporate HR, CRM or other systems.

• Talented Imitators – Custom Deltek Integrations Create Vulnerabilities.
  

  In this whitepaper series Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) review the vulnerabilities associated with traditional custom software integrations, explore the facets of the integration lifecycle and how ETL technology delivers dramatic efficiencies, and itemize the benefits of today’s cloud- and platform-based integrators for organizations looking to connect their Accounting systems with their corporate HR, CRM or other systems.

• Tax Law Changes for Businesses in 2010
  
  This article, by CPA Ric Nelson of Watkins Meegan, reviews the tax law changes for 2010 for businesses. The changes are the result of tax laws passed and regulations issued over the last couple of years.
• The Enterprise Cloud: Approachable and Affordable World-Class IT
  

  This white paper by Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) examines how public enterprise clouds provide Fortune 500-level IT access, reporting, and integration for small- and medium-sized companies. It’s the fifth in a series of TBS white papers on cloud computing that defines the enterprise cloud and discusses its benefits, why companies of all sizes, including Google, Microsoft and the Federal Government, are embracing it, and how you can leverage this new technology at your firm.

• The Enterprise Cloud: True Cost Reduction, Not Cost Transfer
  

  This white paper by Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) explains how public enterprise clouds bring about a true reduction in costs, rather than just a transfer of costs from your system to that of the provider. It’s the third in a series of TBS white papers on cloud computing that will define the enterprise cloud and discuss its benefits, why companies of all sizes, including Google, Microsoft and the Federal Government, are embracing it, and how you can leverage this new technology at your firm.

• The Sky’s The Limit – Expect More from Your Deltek in The Cloud.
  

  In this white paper, Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) show that as cloud delivery becomes more and more available and attractive, it’s time to expect more from the cloud. They outline four fundamental expectations any provider MUST meet before you should be confident in moving your most critical corporate software to the cloud. It’s the seventh in a series of TBS white papers on cloud computing that defines the enterprise cloud and discusses its benefits, why companies of all sizes, including Google, Microsoft and the Federal Government, are embracing it, and how you can leverage this new technology at your firm.

• Troubleshooting Revenue in GCS
  

  This guide from Cordia Partners will help give you a quick introduction into Revenue Calculation, Options by Contract Type, Budget File Effects on Revenue, Reports, and Troubleshooting by Contract Type

• Uncompensated Overtime & How It Impacts Government Contractors
  

  Many government contractors have found themselves in a “discussion” with DCAA auditors regarding uncompensated overtime at one point or another. The following article by CPA Kristen Soles of Watkins Meegan helps provide guidance regarding how to properly account for uncompensated overtime.

• Understanding Cloud Computing: What’s Best for Your Enterprise?
  

  This white paper by Jay Ethridge and Joe Jezior of Technology & Business Solutions (TBS) will help you understand what cloud computing is and what it can do for your company. It’s the first in a series of TBS whitepapers on cloud computing that will define the cloud and discuss its benefits, why companies of all sizes, including Google, Microsoft and the Federal Government, are embracing it, and how you can leverage this new technology at your firm.

• What is This EVM Thing, Anyway?
  

  The first in a series that demystifies EVM, this whitepaper by Pat Barker and Larry Ambuhl from MCR's Project Solutions Group shows how Earned Value Management is both appoachable and cost-effective for small businesses.

• Why Use Deltek’s Time & Expense?
  

  Deltek’s Time & Expense is a time/expense entry system designed to provide greater flexibility and control in project/task and expense report management through the electronic entry and approval of employee timesheets and expense reports. Based on 15 user defined tables for data collection and a solid foundation of thoughtful design, Deltek’s Time & Expense (T&E) can meet the needs of a high number of business clients today.

• Year-End Hints for Time & Expense
  

  Unlike your accounting system, T&E does not have a complex year end close process, however there ARE a few things you can do to make your transition into the new calendar or fiscal year seamless if you follow the steps from this guide from Cordia Partners and TBS.