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Goals & Objectives

Goals and Objectives: 2009 Biennium

Accounting Bureau


Goal #1: Produce accurate and reliable financial statements for the State of Montana.
  • Objective - Timely financial information is provided to the public in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Goal #2: Maintain a cost-effective, efficient, and stable warrant writer and electronic payment process for the State of Montana.
  • Objective 1 - Input bank information received from agencies into the State's vendor tables within 24 hours of receipt.
  • Objective 2 - Expand and promote the most efficient payment processes for the State.
  • Objective 3 - Process all forms of payment by the State daily.
Goal #3: Provide accurate and updated on-line accounting policy and support for state agencies.
  • Objective 1 - Continue to incorporate management memos that have supplemented accounting policy for 30 years into Volume II of the Montana Operations Manual (MOM) in accordance with GAAP and state law.
  • Objective 2 - Review previously written accounting policy for accuracy and update as needed.
  • Objective 3 - Upload completed MOM Volume II accounting policy to the Department of Administration website.
  • Objective 4 - Research and implement new pronouncements from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
  • Objective 5 - Provide input into the GASB standard setting process.
  • Objective 6 - Provide accounting technical education and assistance to agency personnel.
  • Objective 7 - Approve, reconcile, and monitor all non-university system inter-entity loans.
  • Objective 8 - Monitor the General Fund cash flows to determine if short-term borrowing is necessary to maintain an adequate cash balance.
Goal #4: Manage the State's Statewide Cost Allocation Plan (SWCAP) and Cash Management Improvement Act (CMIA) programs.
  • Objective 1 - Coordinate the preparation, negotiation and distribution, and billing of the SWCAP, either internally or with a contractor hired to perform the service.
  • Objective 2 - Coordinate the development and operation of the statewide implementation of CMIA regulations.
Goal #5: Provide timely, accurate SABHRS system user support and technical assistance.
  • Objective - Agency users receive a prompt, accurate response to their questions. SABHRS is contacted and involved only when necessary.
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Management Support Bureau


Goal #1: Provide accurate and timely cash reconciliation between SABHRS and the State of Montana's 60+ bank accounts.
  • Objective 1 - Monitor and enforce the cash policy that requires agencies enter only one SABHRS document per deposit, and work with agencies whose processes cause cash reconciliation issues.
  • Objective 2 - Report to management monthly on the status of cash reconciliation, so that issues can be addressed timely.
Goal #2: Maintain accurate financial records, and provide accounting support, including budget submission and maintenance on SABHRS for divisions within the Department of Administration.
  • Objective 1 - Maintain good communication between Management Support Bureau staff and Department managers on accounting and budget issues and needs.
  • Objective 2 - Review financial transactions on SABHRS at least quarterly and provide a status report, including fund balance.
  • Objective 3 - Monitor activity closely related to House Bill 2 for each division on a hearing-by-hearing basis and notify management immediately of conflicts.
Goal #3: Coordinate the state debt service activity.
  • Objective 1 - Provide assistance to agencies and bond counsel as needed.
  • Objective 2 - Provide support for the Board of Examiners and Capital Finance Advisory Counsel.
Goal #4: Provide human resource and payroll support for divisions within the Department of Administration.
  • Objective 1 - Maintain good communication between Human Resource Unit staff and department managers on accounting, budgeting, payroll, and personnel issues and needs.
  • Objective 2 - Coordinate the recruitment and selection process for all positions within the department assigned to the unit.
  • Objective 3 - Provide guidance and support for hiring, classification, performance, personnel issues, and salary and benefit administration.
  • Objective 4 - Provide new employee orientation and exit procedures for all employees entering and leaving the department.
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SABHRS Services Bureau


Goal #1: Position state managers and legislators to make informed business decisions by providing timely and accurate financial and human resource information.
  • Objective 1 - Partner with ITSD, Computer Technology Services Bureau, to ensure that the SABHRS technical environment is stable and provides reliable and efficient system performance and access.
  • Objective 2 - Promote efficient and effective business processes by providing systems that reduce data entry time, minimize the possibility of errors occurring, and provide optimum access to state employees, officials, vendors, customers, and the public within an appropriately secured environment.
Goal #2: Ensure that Montana has a reliable, stable, and cost-effective management information system environment.
  • Objective 1 - Stay current, applying software fixes and updates to the SABHRS as appropriate. Strive to implement newer releases of the applications as resources will allow, taking advantage of functionality that promotes employee self-service and other efficient business processes.
  • Objective 2 - Partner with state agency representatives, process owners, and other organizations to ensure that the SABHRS training program and help desk operation meet users' requirements.
Goal #3: Position the State of Montana to benefit from future technological advances as applicable to the information management system environment.
  • Objective 1 - Strive to strengthen Montana's alliance with Affinity Global Solutions and Oracle to insure that the State's interests are represented as application enhancements are planned and implemented, and to provide the State with greater insight into future product developments. Participate in user groups and customer conferences as appropriate.
  • Objective 2 - Strive to implement newer releases of the applications, as resources will allow, taking advantage of functionality that promotes employee self-service and other efficient business processes.
  • Objective 3 - Partner with ITSD to identify and implement new technologies, including wireless communications.
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Office of Labor Relations


Goal #1: Effectively represent the goals and interests of the Schweitzer administration in all collective bargaining matters.
  • Objective 1 - Negotiate and prepare the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 pay bill and help secure legislative support and approval.
  • Objective 2 - Negotiate two-year labor agreements with all 58 bargaining units, including broadband pay plans for all units with employees covered under Section 2-18-201, MCA.
  • Objective 3 - Represent state management in administrative proceedings before the Board of Personnel Appeals, including unit determinations, unit clarifications, unfair labor practice charges, mediation, and fact-finding.
  • Objective 4 - Assist state agencies in administering labor agreements, and represent agencies in grievance arbitration.
Goal #2: Establish and promote collaborative labor management in Montana state government.
  • Objective 1 - Implement, monitor, and review processes and services that promote effective dispute resolution and positive relationships between labor and management.
  • Objective 2 - Support and promote collaborative efforts dealing with conflict and grievance resolution, labor management committees, and interest-based problem solving methods.
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