Sub Specialty Contractor

  • 1.  Accounting and Project Management Intergraded Software

    Posted 03-11-2022 08:53
    Good morning,


    We are electrical contractors approx. 105 employees with 5 project managers. We are currently looking to improve our accounting software
    to include integrating our project management team, allowing them more visibility on project performance.

    In our search for a new system, a crucial function for our AP department is an electronic bill approval process that allows project managers to view
    and approve their job-specific bills. We are currently running QB Enterprise Contractors 22. In my search I've looked at Foundations Software, Sage Intact, and SAMpro.

    Does anyone have any experience with any of these programs, or could you provide feedback on what you are currently working on that I may want to demo?

    Thank you, I appreciate your help.



    ------------------------------
    Paula Ramos
    Camsan
    Stamford CT
    (203) 327-1120
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Accounting and Project Management Intergraded Software

    Posted 03-12-2022 12:44

    Hi Paula - This information has helped members reduce risk in their software selection AND onboarding.

    There is greater risk for subcontractors when they unite project management and accounting due to the complexity of their work so using the 'attached' safeguards AND including all the services below IN YOUR AGREEMENT will help you get a better result with no surprise invoices.

    First - check these short video out: 

    1)  Do this to avoid smoke-stacking:

    2)  Do this to avoid unfair subscriptions:

    3)  When you're onboarding, get the subscription fees delayed until you're onboarded so they don't smoke-stack you.

     Here are all the services you should include in your agreement to ensure a successful go-live: 

    1. Import and verification of vendor list, customer list and related data                                                                                          
    2. Inclusion of company logo into all external documents                                              "
    3. Completion of employee list/safety/experience/HR data                                                            
    4. Completion of GL account listing, open jobs listing and cost code listing                                                                                          
    5. Scoping for custom integrations               
    6. Set up payroll defaults, union, DB, CPR, fringe                                             
    7. Secure sample GL Transactions for replication                                             
    8. Secure sample check stubs (Payroll, AP, Garnishment) for replication                                                                                          
    9. Secure sample job cost/job budget for replication                                             
    10. Complete items database development for each branch/company/division to enable effective item

                 selection for POs (Specialty Contractors require item codes by vendor and descriptions, UOMs, dimensions,

                 properties, expense types to be included in database development to maintain accurate material management)                                                                                                        

    1. Sample reports (PO, AR invoice, PM reports) for replication, including WIP to align with WIP in go-live
    2. Complete AR aging (By Customer/Job) and outstanding retainage (By Customer/Job)

               NOTE     Historical SOV's should be manually entered to enable accurate retainage billing                                                                                             

    1. Trial balance (Same date as AR)               
    2. Invoice & cash receipt register               
    3. Creation of billing templates to customer/GC invoice templates                                                                           
    4. Creation of vendor PDF invoice template mappings for PO matching                                                                                          
    5. Complete change order log for replication                              
    6. Secure all sales tax rates/reporting for replication                                             
    7. Secure monthly WIP reports (Fiscal Year) for validation                                                            
    8. Employee YTD &payroll info – pay stub/time sheet for replication                                                                           
    9. Secure payroll register reports for replication                                             
    10. Secure sample reports (CPR, Union, etc.) for replication                                                            
    11. Sample direct deposit and positive pay files for replication                                                            
    12. All open subcontracts for replication                              
    13. Complete benefit plans/enrollment for replication (RE: ACA)                                                                           
    14. Prelim training or training materials review and Q&A for customer, vendor and employee info
    15. Prelim training or training materials review and Q&A for inventory/material management
    16.   Prelim training or training materials review and Q&A for vendor pricing, job special pricing and POs
    17.   Prelim training for payroll info; pay rates (Union/Davis Bacon, prevail wage, benefits, safety cert etc.)
    18. Secure open AR for replication and tie off before go-live                                                            
    19. Secure open AP / Discount Report for replication and tie off before go-live                                                                                          
    20. Secure trial balance for go-live               
    21. Secure employee YTD's (Quarterly) - 940 & 941 for replication                                                                           
    22. Secure open check lists/deposits for replication and tie off before go-live                                                                                          
    23. Secure open/pending change orders for replication and tie off before go-live                                                                                                         
    24. Bank balance as of trial balance (All) for tie off before go-live                                                                           
    25. Bank reconciliation (All) for replication in documentation and tie off before go-live                                                                                                         
    26. Job cost to date for replication and tie off before go-live                                                            
    27. Budget's for replication and tie off before go-live                                             
    28. WIP Report review and customization if needed                                             
    29. Training for payroll/HR, Accounting and Financial management reporting                                                                                          
    30. Training for pre-construction, job start up and purchasing                                                            
    31. Training for job costing, document control, contract and subcontracts                                                                                          
    32. IMPORTANT: emergency data repair of 1st month end to ensure future month ends are sound                                                                                                            
    33. Training for executives as well as foreman and workers on mobile apps                                                                                          
    34. Punch list creation for outstanding gaps and functions for optimization                                                                                          
    35. IMPORTANT: emergency data repair for 1st quarterly to ensure future QRTLYS are sound                                                                                                            
    36. Review, punch list and sign off
    49.   IMPORTANT:  Year-end emergency data repair of 1st year to ensure future year ends are sound

    ------------------------------
    Chad Pearson (dealer of truth in build)
    Director of Business Development
    Plexxis
    Brampton ON
    (416) 574-1677
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)



  • 3.  RE: Accounting and Project Management Intergraded Software

    Posted 03-14-2022 10:22

    Hi Paula, we are a glazing contractor similar in size to you in terms of number of current employees & PMs. We have been successfully using Viewpoint's Spectrum software for 5 years and it has gotten our PMs much more involved with using PM functions including a solid electronic A/P approval process that starts with POs, monthly AIA billing input,  monthly job cost projections and ongoing change order management. I can't speak to the specific additional needs of an electrical contractor, possibly a robust inventory system for service department billing, etc. Definitely worth a look. To piggyback what Chad lists, the key to a successful implementation is find a local service provider that has the experience of many installs of whatever product you choose and is able to quarterback the process. As with many software products, the up-front decisions on how to use the software setup options can be critical. Good luck. John

     

     

    John Bieber, CPA, CCIFP

    Chief Financial Officer

     NATIONAL  Glass & Metal Co., Inc.

    1424 Easton Road; Suite #400     Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044

    D: 267-532-1780  ǀ  O: 215-938-8880  ǀ  C: 267-650-9271 

     






  • 4.  RE: Accounting and Project Management Intergraded Software

    Posted 03-14-2022 05:54

    Hi Paula,

    You may want to consider integrating MineralTree with your QB Enterprise application.

    We are currently using MineralTree with QB Enterprise to pay bills electronically.  We are currently not using the approval feature, but I know it is available.

    Good luck with your search!

    Teresa

     

    Teresa Cockeram

     | 

    CFO

    Dagostino Electronic Services, Inc.

    Office:

    412‑306‑7320

    Mobile: 

    412‑709‑9434

    Email: 

    tcockeram@descomm.com

    Visit: 

    www.descomm.com

    [des081418]

     


    The information contained in or attached to this email is intended only for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, or retaining this email or any part of it. It may contain information which is confidential and/or covered by legal, professional or other privilege under applicable law. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by return email. The views expressed in this email are not necessarily the views of Dagostino Electronic Services, Inc. Dagostino and its respective directors, officers and employees make no representation, nor accept any liability, regarding its accuracy or completeness, unless expressly stated to the contrary.






  • 5.  RE: Accounting and Project Management Intergraded Software

    Posted 03-15-2022 10:22
    Paula,
    I have experience with Foundation.  Their document imaging allows for routing and approval. The PM can modify their invoices before posting if they see errors which is a nice feature. Did you happen to look at their Executive HQ or Project HQ products?  Both are great options for your project management team. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions. From past experience I know some times a salesperson may not always do a great job at selling the product.

    ------------------------------
    Craig Chisholm CCIFP
    Director of Finance
    JM Electrical Company Inc.
    Plaistow NH
    (781) 581-3328
    ------------------------------