Social Media Free Registration Giveaway Winner – Thoughts on the GMS Summit 2013 – 28th Annual Financial Management Conference
With the GMS Summit 2013 – 28th Annual Financial Management Conference approaching fast, we decided to catch up with Sue Wood, one of our Social Media Free Registration Giveaway Winners to get her thoughts on the conference.
GMS: Tell us about your organization?
Sue: The Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) is a collaborative body of member governments that serves as a facilitator between state and federal government agencies and local entities to provide opportunities in economic and community development through networking, education, planning, research and allocation of resources. OMEGA covers a ten county region. OMEGA partners with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and our state economic development agencies. (www.omegadistrict.org)
GMS: What is your role within your organizations accounting and finance department?
Sue: I assist the Executive Director with the fiscal management of the agency preparing and helping to administer the agency budget;
prepare financial reports for board members and funding sources; complete daily financial transactions (payroll, expenses, cash receipts); prepare for the annual audit and also assist with the negotiating of the agency health insurance. I am also the HR manager.GMS: How does the GMS system help you overcome your day to day accounting challenges?
Sue: I love the system! When you enter the information the calculations are done automatically and there is no figuring on the operator’s part. It is so easy to look for previous reports and information with just a click of a button. The reporting process is very
useful.
GMS: Why did your company choose GMS, Inc. as its accounting and financial management software provider?
Sue: The OMEGA agency entered into a contract with GMS in 1990. I was the original operator of the system. (That gives you an idea of how long I have been with the agency.) OMEGA has two sister agencies who had already contracted with GMS, they were so enthused with the system, that my director decided to also link up with them. Two years later, OMEGA contracted with the RLSS. We
have been with GMS ever since. After the conversion to windows, it is so much easier to enter data and run reports.
GMS: What are some of the benefits of attending the GMS Financial Management Conference?
Sue: There is always new information and ideas to gather, and see the GMS staff and friends you’ve met from prior conferences. I
always like the opening session. It is entertaining and gets you pumped up for the conference. I will never forget the first conference I attended. It was in Baltimore. The opening session was a mock trial using the GMS system as the subject matter. I thought it was so awesome.
GMS: What do you believe are some of the highlights of the conference?
Sue: Highlights of the conference are the computer clinic, as I mentioned before seeing the GMS staff, and the opening session. I try to attend as many sessions as I can, especially Basics of Year End. They offer so much information and keep you updated on the new changes regarding the system and accounting activities. And don’t forget to do some sight-seeing!
GMS: From your experience what sessions do you think are most advantageous for new clients attending the conference?
Sue: For new clients, I would recommend the Account Setups, Payroll Processing, Accounts Payable Processing, and Month End Processing. I know it seems like a lot, but it is worth it to have this information when you get back to the office and apply it.It is so helpful. I would also highly recommend the Year End Procedures/Preparing for Audit Intensive. It is a great information tool.
For more information or to register for the GMS Summit 2013 – 28th Annual Financial Management Conference on May 18-24, 2013 in Austin, TX visit www.gmsactg.com/events/conferences.html.
