Recent changes to the financial reporting requirements of Local Government in Western Australia have prompted an innovative response from a chartered accountancy firm. Using both off the shelf accounting software and their own products, a computerised accounting solution has been developed by chartered accountants, UHY Haines Norton, providing a low cost alternative for rural and remote Local Government authorities while delivering a high level of management reporting functionality.
It also features Rate Book Online (RBO) developed by UHY Haines Norton to provide a compliant and affordable rates management solution to clients.
Rate Book Online is currently in use in 16 Local Governments across Western Australia. UHY Haines Norton Director, David Tomasi, said Rate Book Online has been designed by people who have worked in the Local Government industry and who continue to support it.
“We have designed RBO to be housed on a secure server so you are able to access your own data with a web browser from any location,” he said. “The program is the same for all users, meaning that all program upgrades are rolled out to all users at the same time. It also means that should staff move from another Council which uses Rate Book Online, their screens and reports will be exactly the same. It is also important to remember Rate Book Online is Internet based and application service provider hosted.”
Rate Book Online only requires a standard desktop computer with Windows explorer and a reliable connection to the Internet.
Wagin Council Deputy CEO, Braden Fisher, said the software was a win-win for the Council.
“It would have cost about $80,000 to buy the specific software and the hardware we needed for a Local Government of this size and Rate Book Online was a far lower cost,” he said. “The Rate Book Online combined with the Quickbooks means we can easily meet our legislative requirements. Many other Local Governments are now using the software.”
For further information contact David Tomasi by email at david@perth.hainesnorton.com.au
