Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Technology

Question
Our financial software package is increasingly inadequate. Is there a good package for finances? We called several local communities and they are all using the same software and are also dissatisfied.

Answer
We have a reference book from ICMA called Software Reference Guide. We can fax pages from this book on the type of software you are looking for. We do not endorse a particular firm but there are several steps you can take to find the best product for your needs and save in expenses. When you contact the vendors, ask them for a reference list of current users that are small municipalities. Ask for a demo and make sure you use the demo before purchasing. Include all the users in the decision making process to discover how well the program works with each user function. You have already discovered several communities in the same situation and might be able to use this to your advantage. Perhaps you can get a group discount if several communities agree to purchase the same software. In addition, you could share training expenses.