The Leader
BEST PRACTICE: Converting to Intacct
HOW-TO: Make a smooth transition to Intacct
New option for life membership funds
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BEST PRACTICE: Converting to Intacct
It’s one of the fraternity’s 2010-15 strategic priorities to improve resources for lodge finance, administration, and building management. As such, Grand Lodge rolled out Intacct last year, an online accounting and reporting solution that simplifies processes for lodges and hall associations.
Barstow Boron Lodge No. 682 was one of the earliest adopters. Assistant Secretary James Fourr explains.
Background
Back in the 90s, our lodge was among the first to sign up for iMember, and it’s served us well all these years. So when Grand Lodge announced Intacct, we got right on board. Both our lodge and our hall association went live with Intacct in January 2013.
Team approach
Every computer program has a learning curve. The lodge secretary, hall association secretary/treasurer, and I have worked as a team to learn and implement Intacct.
- We attended in-person Grand Lodge training seminars.
- We signed up with Grand Lodge to use the Intacct test site, a stress-free way to practice with the system.
- Now that we’re all up and running, the lodge secretary and the hall association secretary/treasurer are the primary users, and I audit for errors.
Favorite features
- Time-savings: You can get any report instantly, from balance sheets to profit and loss statements.
- Keeps everyone current: No matter which of us is working in the system, we know we’re looking at the most up-to-date information.
- Info retrieval: Intacct and iMember organize information about our entire membership in one place for quick and easy access.
- Built-in checks and balances: The system immediately helps catch errors.
- Remote access: Because the program is online, we can access it from any computer, whether at the lodge, at home, or out of town.
- 24-hour support: Support is available from Grand Lodge and Intacct. If we have a question during business hours, our first step is usually to email the Grand Lodge team. We always receive a prompt answer.
Overall
- As a retired contractor, I’ve used and even taught various accounting programs, including Sage (formerly Peachtree) and Quickbooks. I’ve found Intacct to be a very good system for our lodge and hall association.
In closing
I’ve been a Mason for 67 years, and a secretary for both the lodge and hall association for many of them. I was around when the fraternity managed all of its accounting by hand, and I was part of the transition to computers. Now, the world runs on computers. Everything is digitized. Programs like iMember and Intacct make almost any task easier, including accounting.
For more information and to enroll, contact the Grand Lodge Intacct team at intacct@freemason.org or 415/292-9170.
For a closer look at the program, request a one-on-one training call with an Intacct team member and signed up for the test site. You can also log into the Member Center at freemason.org, then go to Resources and Publications>Intacct Resources and view the eight training videos.
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HOW-TO: Make a smooth transition to Intacct
Last year, Grand Lodge rolled out Intacct, a new accounting and reporting solution for lodges and halls. Considering enrolling? Here are six steps for a seamless transition.
- Attend one of the scheduled in-person trainings in your area (See Schedule Below).
- Practice on the Test Site. You will automatically have access to the Test Site once you have attended an in-person training.
- Study the training manuals and view the Intacct videos. Log into the Member Center, then go to Resources and Publications>Intacct Resources.
- Request a one-on-one training call with an Intacct team member to answer questions and to address any concerns. Contact intacct@freemason.org or call 415/292-9170.
- It is time to sign up for the Live Site. Call an Intacct team member who will help you transition from the Test Site to the Live Site. Contact intacct@freemason.org or call 415/292-9170.
- Utilize the ongoing support provided by the Intacct team at Grand Lodge. Once you are on the Live Site do not hesitate to call for help. Contact intacct@freemason.org or call 415/292-9170.
You can enroll in Intacct anytime. Contact the Grand Lodge Intacct team at intacct@freemason.org or call 415/292-9170.
2014 Intacct In Person Training Schedule
- Fresno: March 22, 2014 (Location-TBD)
- San Francisco: April 19, 2014 (Location-CMMT)
- Orange County Area: May 17, 2014 (Location-TBD)
- Southern California Area: September 2014 (Location-TBD)
- Sacramento Area: October 2014 (Location-TBD
- Union City: November 2014 (Location-Masonic Homes)
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New option for life membership funds
At the last Annual Communication, the fraternity passed legislation giving lodges the opportunity to retain Grand Lodge to invest life membership funds.
Oasis Lodge No. 854 in Los Angeles is one participant. As a new lodge with just 65 members, the lodge’s immediate focus is on membership growth and improving the member experience. It’s one of the reasons the new Life Membership Master Fund was an attractive option.
“We do not have a large membership from which to draw experienced fund management persons,” says Master David Chernik. “The Grand Lodge investment program looked sufficiently aggressive, while maintaining a reasonable degree of safety. It relieves the lodge of having to use time and resources on an investment committee, and allows us to concentrate our efforts on what is most important to us at this time.”
For information, instructions, and enrollment documents, visit the secure Member Center on freemason.org and select Resources & Publications>Life Membership Master Fund.
Questions? Contact memberservices@freemason.org.
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If your lodge is 100 years old, its funds today may come from four or five generations of Masons.
To help you prudently manage these funds, the Grand Lodge Investment Committee has created a free online resource. The Lodge Investment Program lays out comprehensive, step-by-step guidelines for lodge investments, whether you’re just starting an investment program or already have a sizable portfolio.
Expert, CMC-compliant advice is just a click away. Log into the Member Center on freemason.org, then go to Reports & Features>Lodge Investment Program.
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By partnering with Masonic Assistance, you can make sure your fraternal family knows where to turn when they need support. This section is designed to help.
A special quarterly installment, “Beyond Obligation,” features true tales of Masonic outreach in California.
They represent just a fraction of the lives touched each year by Masonic Assistance—and are only possible thanks to generous support by California Masons.
Share these stories in your Trestleboard to raise awareness of outreach services and to reflect on the good you do by supporting Masonic Assistance. To make a contribution, visit freemason.org/contribute.
This month: The Caregiver
Print in the lodge Trestleboard, and share with family and friends.
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