The Clerk Communique' April 2008 Vol. 2
  

Greetings Dear Clerks!

We're still basking in the glow of the WA Municipal Clerks Association Conference 03/19/08 to 03/21/08 in Wenatchee. Kudos to the Conference Planning Committee: Tes Ongoco, Lakewood; Irene Mock, Lynnwood; and Virginia Olsen, CMC, Mountlake Terrace; and to the Education Committee Co-chairs: Molly Towslee, CMC, Gig Harbor; and Melody Valiant, Tumwater. Paula Swisher, Brier, outdid herself with the Conference decorations. The black & gold themed "A Night of All Stars" Annual Banquet table settings were absolutely enchanting.

The very prestigious WMCA Clerk of the Year Award was presented at the Annual Banquet by President Alice Bush to Virginia Olsen, CMC, City Clerk/Community Relations Manager of Mountlake Terrace. It was an emotional moment when Virginia's name was announced. She was surprised by her husband, two children, Mother, Mountlake Terrace Mayor Jerry Smith with his wife, Judi; two Council Members and the City Manager. President Bush cited Virginia's exceptional devotion to public service, her continuing contributions to WMCA, and her dedication to the City of Mountlake Terrace.

Outgoing WMCA Executive Committee members were honored. Charles Tokar, MMC, IIMC President, swore in Ali Spietz, CMC, Mercer Island, as President.

The "pre-Silent Auction" entertainment Wednesday night was worth the price of admission. Irene Mock was coaxed to the stage and belted out "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)" by John Michael Montgomery. Next, to everyone's amazement, Colleen Nicol, MMC, City Clerk of Riverside, CA, IIMC District IX Director, bounded forward and sang a song that included yodeling.....all barely 5' tall of her!

An educational, good time was had by all. As a Sponsor and Exhibitor, we thank every Attendee. You made us feel welcome and appreciated.

Yours in WMCA Conference Bonding and Laughter,

Karen Semerad and all your friends at BIAS

(Pictured left to right are Karen Semerad, Irene Mock, and Mark Felchlin.)
 

DAVID'S RULES OF DISORDER

BIAS Product Specialist, David Calechman, CPA, recently attended the Cash Basis Annual Financial Reporting Class in Pasco. David's "High Points" include:



1. Review funds classification for C4/C5 Reports BEFORE preparing your annual financial statements. General and Street Funds always go on the C4, in addition to all other Funds with revenue in excess of $250,000. Funds with revenue less than $250,000 and Agency Funds are included on the C5.

2. Grant fund sources must be reported correctly on Schedule 16. This is especially important for FEDERAL Grants. Federal money passed through the State is still FEDERAL money. Loan proceeds and Grant advances are also reported with expenditures on Schedule 16.

3. Annual financial statements are inter-related. They need to "tie out." Generating financial statements should not be a "mechanical process." Make sure your reports balance before submitting them.

When in doubt, seek assistance from the WA State Auditor's Office.

Accounting & Auditing HelpDesk
 

GO! FIGHT! WIN! ELECTRONICALLY FOR DUANE'S DREAM IN '08!

Annual Reporting days are here again, fa la la. This is the time of year we try to remember everything we did LAST year. The Annual Reporting process can be simple or fairly difficult, depending on your Software capabilities.

If you have ever spoken with Duane Walz, of the WA State Auditor's Office Local Government Comparative Statistics Project, you know how "excited" he gets this time of year. At least somebody gets excited this time of year.

Duane says his greatest dream is for 100% of WA State Annual Reports to be filed electronically. Let's team up to make Duane's Dream come true! We encourage all Clerks to file their 2007 WA State Annual Reports electronically. Duane layed the ground work for his dream to come true by allowing the Reports to be sent electronically in multiple ways/formats, i.e. emailing or uploading your Report to the SAO website. Speak with your Software Provider to facilitate your electronic participation.

Our motto is:

GO!  FIGHT!  WIN!  ELECTRONICALLY FOR
 DUANE'S DREAM IN '08!

Duane's email address is: walzd@sao.wa.gov

WA State Auditor's Office
 

April Bouquet of Anticipation

"But if we learn to think of it as anticipation, as learning, as growing, if we think of the time we spend waiting for the big things of life as an opportunity instead of a passing of time, what wonderful horizons open out!"           Anna Neagle

The BBC aka BIAS Book Club Suggested Reading:

"Sunset Western Garden Book"  Completely Revised & Updated   ....The last word on gardening in the West.

-Golden Links-

 

WMTA 25th Annual Conference

"Fishing for Silvers"

04/09/09 -
04/11/08

Campbell's Resort - Chelan

WMTA Conference Information
 

2008 Northwest Clerk's Institute

University of Puget Sound

PD I :
06/01/08-06/06/08
PD II :
06/08/08-06/13/08
PD III :
06/15/08-06/20/08
PD IV :
Advanced Academy
06/11/08-06/13/08

Registration Brochures
 

AWC Training

NEW! Basic Training for Clerk/Treasurers
05/08/08 - SeaTac
This Workshop will focus on the basics that are critical for every clerk or clerk/treasurer to know, whether new to the job or on the job for several years.  

For More Information & to Register
 

BIAS Annual Repoprting Training

BIAS Cash Basis Annual Financial Reporting

BIAS Instructor is David Calechman, CPA, Product Specialist

(Taught in conjunction with 04/24/08 Spokane WFOA Annual Financial Report Training Class)

Wednesday
04/23/08
All Day
Open

BIAS Annual Financial Reporting Class
 
Links:
WA State SAS 112 Highlights
 AWC (SAS112)
 AWC 75th Annual Conference
 WA Municipal Clerks Association
 WA Municipal Treasurers Association
 WA Finance Officers Association
 WFOA 2008 Non-Conference Training Opportunities
 WA State Auditor's Office BARS Manuals
 BIAS Accounting
BIAS Accounting Inc • 3001 S Mt Vernon Suite 200 • Spokane • WA • 99223