Vista Viewpoint Articles

Having strong, consistent business procedures and internal controls is always important, but they can be especially critical in a small business office. One effective way to establish clear expectations is to create a business procedure manual that employees can read and reference. It is also a good idea to reference or link your Board policies within the manual so they are easily accessible to staff. Purchasing is one of the most important topics to address in your manual. R

Scams and fraud attempts are becoming increasingly sophisticated and more common. This article outlines practical tips on what to watch for and how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and verify any requested changes directly with the individual or organization before taking action. Vendor ACH Payments If you receive an email or letter indicating that a vendor’s ACH information has changed, carefully review the sender’s em

As the year draws to a close, another important step in preparing for year-end is reconciling your totals. Ideally, you should be reconciling your 941s each quarter before they are submitted to ensure accuracy. This not only helps confirm that your quarterly filings are correct, but also makes your year-end W2 process much smoother. When reconciling your 941, you’ll want to go beyond simply verifying the totals. It’s important to double-check that your Federal wages , Social

As summer fades and the leaves begin to change, it’s the perfect time to start preparing for the calendar year-end. Taking a few proactive steps now can help ensure your W-2s are accurate and that year-to-date deductions align with IRS limits. Review 403(b) Contributions Verify that no employee is projected to exceed the annual 403(b) limits. For 2025, the standard limit is $23,500 , with potential catch-up contributions available depending on your plan. Run a deduction repor

Now that your CAR, SES, and Transportation Reports are certified, it’s a perfect time to review your balance sheet—especially Accounts...

Bank reconciliations may not be the most exciting part of our work, but they are one of the most critical. They can also be...

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the Iowa Association of School Business Officials (IASBO)! One of the first things I tell...

Last October many of us attended the 2024 Fall IASBO Conference.  We listened to the main speakers, the Department of Education as well as fellow IASBO members.  I’ve been to several of these conferences over the last 26 years and each year I have learned something new.  Conferences are a great way to network, find out what is trending, learn of new GASB regulations, and hear what changes may be on the horizon from the Department of Education.   The first thing to consider be

You’ve decided to turn in your resignation as School Business Official to the school board and the Superintendent.  This may happen because you’ve found a different position elsewhere or even outside of school business.  Maybe your significant other has found a position in a different location (state or town).  Maybe it’s because you’re ready to retire.  Now what do you do? First take time to reflect on your career.  What did you enjoy?  What did you dislike? How did you feel