Federal Accounting_Grants Administration

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2008-06-21T20:53:00.002-04:00

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Federal Grants Management issues

2008-04-19T20:21:00.002-04:00

GRANTS MANAGEMENT Grantees’ Concerns with Efforts to Streamline and Simplify Processes United States Government Accountability Office, Report to Congressional Committees (July 2006).

Federal grantees continue to identify areas where the goals of P.L. 106-107 have not yet been met. These include continued lack of standardization and continued inefficiencies in grant administration across agencies and technological difficulties with implementing Grants.gov, the Web site where grantees can find and apply for grants. Grantees report they continue to need to use different application, reporting, and payment systems, and definitions differ across agencies.

Further, some inefficiencies continue to exist, such as agency grant processes not aligning with typical grantee business practices. In addition, problems using Grants.gov, such as search engine problems and complex registration practices, have caused grantees frustration as they have used the site for identifying and applying for grant opportunities. The Grants.gov Program Management Office has taken actions to address some of these problems and has plans for further improvements.

The National Grants Partnership

2008-04-19T20:16:00.000-04:00

The National Grants Partnership was established in 2004 to bring together government and non-government individuals with an interest in improving the grants process in the United States.

Read the lastest update on FFATA/SF424 which is about the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requiring OMB to develop a publicly available.

Grants Management Associates

2008-04-19T20:12:00.000-04:00

Grants Management Associates
helps foundations and individual donors increase and extend the impact of their giving.

National Grants Management Association

2008-04-19T20:07:00.002-04:00

Membership is $60/year (July - June) Membership Application

Starting a home business in Ohio

2008-04-19T19:02:00.006-04:00

When I retire, I am planning to start a home Accounting/Grants Consultant. For me to get ready for this, I need to understand how to start this before I retire. Work from home Accounting will require the basics which will include a fax machine, copier and computer with spreadsheet, word processing and database software. An adding machine will also be needed. Sometimes, additional accounting software will be needed. Starting a home bookkeeping business will require "networking" by joining business and community organizations. Specializing like grants management, auditing and etc will help establish a bankable reputation. Designing a logo is an important step when starting an important business.

To Start:
Starting a business in Ohio: Ohio Business Gateway To help you start a business legally. You can also go to this site: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division

To go The 1st Stop Business Connection is a free state-level information needed to get started or continue on an entrepreneurial journey. This will provide a business information kit which contains the basics all business must know and the state-level regulations and forms specifically for your business.

Depending on the legal form of business such as Corporation, Sole Proprietorship, LLC or whatever, this will required a business person to register the business name as a legal entity with the The Secretary of State of Ohio's Business Services Webpage

Those who are intending doing a business that will collect sales tax, are required to register with Ohio Department of Taxation

Join Columbus' location SCORE is a volunteer organization that uses the skill and experience of retired executives to assist individuals with their decisions to begin or to operate small businesses. SCORE counseling sessions are usually held in SCORE office in downtown Columbus, 401 N. Front St., Suite 20

The Small Business Development Centers of Ohio (SBDC of Ohio) provide free, professional, in-depth and confidential business consulting and training to new and existing entrepreneurs For me, I live in Franklin County and my contact will be at The Ohio SBDC at Columbus State Community College.

For additional information, go to the Small Business Development Centers of Ohio's EntrepreneurOhio.org

Future Goals as an Accountant

2008-04-04T18:33:00.002-04:00

In my other blog, Jim's DEEP Thoughts , I posted about my future. I am thinking of going back to college this coming fall so I can study for Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Between 1978 and 1981, I took accounting and business courses at National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID) which is one of the colleges of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). I am sending a letter and form to RIT to send transcripts to the college I am planning to attend in Columbus, Ohio.

I still have another 7 years or so left before I retire but I want to be ready. After I retire from my accounting job, I want to start a grant management consulting service, financial reporting and maybe Forensic Accounting (preventing, detecting, and investigating financial frauds). Or, I can work for CPA firms part time. I have over 27 years of accounting experiences including about 20 years in federal grants accounting and financial reporting. I understand that my experience may be counted toward the experience requirement for the CPA certificate.

I am debating to start in the summer or in the fall. It appears, according to my family's schedule, I will probably will start in the fall. This will give me time to put my act together and be ready. I have several financial resources including one from my employer's tuition reimbursement program. Employer's tuition reimbursement program is tax free up to $5,250 annually (see IRS Publication 508, Tax Benefits for Work-Related Education). I am going to apply for other financial aids even if you don't think you'll qualify, worst thing they can do me is say "NO". Anyway, I am going back to school part-time and taking night classes. If possible, sign up for online classes. I am sending a letter and form to RIT to send transcripts to the college I am planning to attend in Columbus, Ohio.

State Agencies with Federal Accounting and Grants Administration

2008-04-04T17:57:00.002-04:00

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Resources for departments to track accounting activity associated with the receipt of a federal grant. Guidance for Agencies, How-To, Hints

USA.gov Government Employees, Grants and Financial Management links.

State of Ohio's Office of Budget and Management's Federal Grants Resource Center including The Grants Management Workgroup is a collegial group of state employees working to build an efficient and effective grants management workforce throughout Ohio State government by sharing knowledge and expertise with others in the grants community.

State of Indiana's Office of Federal Grants & Procurement

If you know a State that provides Federal Grants Administration guidances, please let me know. Thanks.

This will be updated time to time.

Purpose of this Grants Blog

2008-02-10T12:09:00.000-05:00

I am an accountant, but more specificially, I am a grants accountant. It is my role in grants administration by providing oversight and coordination, contributing substantially to the development and implementation of departmental grant policies, procedures, guidance documents and planning efforts; preparing and responding to federal and state audit findings and requirements,and resolving problems and issues that affect statewide departmental grant services and operations.

Majority of grants accounting I am involved with is Federal Grants. I have had almost 20 years of grants accounting and 27 years of over-all accounting experiences.

I will be posting updates of any grants or accounting news or bulletins.