THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
Everyone
benefits in some way from the Christmas Season-the aura of "holiday cheer,"
family gatherings and traditions, gifts and even economic activity—yet
only one inexpressable gift really matters:
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Mild
he lays his glory by.
Born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Charles Wesley
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COMPUTERS ON THE FARM ESCAPES TO PARADISE
Attend a
computing refresher course while you're being refreshed at the annual
Missouri Farm Computer Users Conference and Trade Show, January
6 and 7, 2006, at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, Missouri. This
year's program includes a session on managerial accounting, a demonstration
of Software as a Service (SaaS) and a break-out session for FBS users. To
register, click on: http://agebb.missouri.edu/cotf/details.htm
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CROPSHOP.2006: PLAN
ON FEBRUARY 14TH
What very
special occasion comes around in the middle of February every year? FBS's
CROPSHOP seminar, of course!
Conveniently scheduled on the day prior to the massive National Farm
Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky, CROPSHOP always
offers Big Management Ideas to guide your shopping for Big Iron. This
year you'll get your first look at an advanced planning tool, benchmark
costs with other leading operations, explore new technologies,
plus receive down-to-earth training to streamline your recordkeeping
chores.
We haven't forgotten the other event that occurs on February, 14th,
so we'll adjourn in time for you and your sweetheart to enjoy one of the
fine restaurants in the Louisville area. Note that CROPSHOP
is being held at a new location this year: the Louisville Southwest
Holiday Inn, 4110 Dixie Highway, which is holding a block of sleeping
rooms under the FBS name. Hotel rooms will be hard to find
show week, so we encourage you to call the Holliday Inn at 502-448-2020
now to make your reservation.
The final agenda will be posted on our website in early January. To
receive more information, click here.
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CHECK THE TRADE SHOW CALENDAR
We hope
to see you at one or more of the six trade shows we'll be attending this
winter. Click here to view
our show calendar.
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IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR YOU CAN REALLY APPRECIATE INTEGRATION
Are you
way behind with your records? If so, you've likely been "punting"
when making critical decisions due to incomplete financial, production,
inventory or cost accounting information. Could your predicament
have something to do with trying to maintain data in separate accounting,
production and spreadsheet software? If those applications
were seamlessly integrated you'd be using your computer as a real-time
management tool rather than a rear-view mirror.
Visit
our Integrated Crop Demo to see what's possible in 2006.
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SEASONAL STOCKING STUFFERS
Looking
for productivity tools to implement this tax year? May we suggest
the following?
| 1.
|
If
you haven't done so already, renew your TiMEsavr
service agreement. |
| 2.
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TransAction
Plus Contract, Import / Export modules |
| 3.
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Smart
Feeder Feed Mill and Packer Interfaces, Feed Budget, Group
Monitor |
| 4.
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Crop
Audit or Smart Feeder, CE
for handhelds. |
| 5.
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JETT
CE handheld computer. |
Most FBS programs can
be instantly activated on your computer by just calling 800.437.7638.
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25 YEARS AGO
/ 25% OFF TRIVIA QUIZ
Congratulations
to Ron Piester, Coats, Kansas, for identifying the "Friendly Farm
Computer" mascot popping out of a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model II, which used
floppy drives the size of IHOP pancakes. Ron will receive 25%
off the FBS program of his choosing, plus a USB mug warmer to power his
coffee.
Over the past year we were pleased and encouraged to hear from some really
long-time FBS clients. We'd now like to recognize the longest continuous
user of FBS software with a $2,500 credit
on any FBS-authored modules. We'll judge entries on three criteria:
| 1.
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The
number of years in your data set. |
| 2.
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The
documented month and year you purchased your first
FBS module. |
| 3.
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A
brief testimonial on why you're still using FBS after all
these years. |
We'll announce the
winner (who may also be the longest continuous user of any ag software)
in our February, 2006 issue. So send your applications to norm@fbssystems.com.
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SOFTWARE Q&A
– WITH Q'S FROM YOU, OUR CLIENTS!
Send
us your questions/problems–be they short, long, simple or downright
frustratin'!–about SeRVware
and we'll handle them right "on the air" for the benefit of all.
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Q.
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What year-end procedures do I need to do? |
| a.
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There are several reports you should check at year's end (or any time for that matter).
Tip: you can "drill-down" and edit entries
from any report screen. |
|
1. |
Be sure your Check Reconciliation Report agrees with your latest bank statement. |
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2. |
Run a User-Defined Report for undefined entries (check the undefined box in the upper right of the report parameter screen). The report should be blank. Edit any entries that appear. |
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3. |
Be sure your Balance Sheet and Trial Balance "balance." |
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4. |
Run a Ledger Account Detail Report recapped by centers. Be sure all the centers in the recap belong in that ledger account. |
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5. |
If you have Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable modules, compare the A/P and/or A/R Detail Report with the total in the Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable ledger accounts.
Tip: Use separate ledger accounts for any
A/P and A/R entries that are not entered through
the A/P or A/R modules. |
|
6. |
Run a Ledger Detail Report for all accounts.
Tip: Set up and store a report "macro" for each type
of ledger account (standard, money borrowed, livestock, capital
livestock purchases, capital purchases, hired labor, and crop
purchase/sale ledger accounts) by moving columns in the desired
order. |
|
7. |
If
you use the Payroll module and pay taxes on a cash
basis, on December 31 you need to make a Reversing Journal
Entry to "back out" the accrual posting of payroll taxes expensed
and accrued to employer's FICA, Medicare, FUTA, SUTA and made
to a pension or cafeteria plan that are not yet paid. Just
check the "Reversing Entry" box when you roll over to the
new year. On the first day of the new year the entry will
reverse itself. |
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8. |
You
can begin the new accounting year any time by going to File / Change
Company and selecting the new year. Ending
balances from asset, liability and owner equity accounts are
automatically "rolled" into "Beginning Balance" entries in
the new year. Once you have closed the current year,
go to Utilities / Create Beginning to "re-roll" balances. |
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9. |
Calculate
Retained Earnings. |
|
|
a. |
If
you haven't done so already, go to Setup / Accounting /
General Information and select the retained earnings account. |
|
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b. |
After
you have rolled balances into the new year (Step 8) go to
Input / General and under Accounting Input double
left click on Calculate Retained Earnings. Confirm
the Retained Earnings Account and choose the first month of
your fiscal year. Then click on Calculate. |
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10. |
If
you are using Crop Audit and/or Smart Feeder,
verify that your crop, livestock, crop inputs, feed and drug
inventories are tied out with your physical inventories. |
|
Call in your questions (800.437.7638) or e-mail them
to support@fbssystems.com.
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