Prerequisites for an Accounting Report

This article aims to provide essential information about accounting reports while outlining certain prerequisites that you must fulfill to ensure you are ready for an accounting report.

What is an Accounting Report?

An accounting report is a custom report (.repx file) created by our Report Development team that automatically extracts costs from DESTINI Estimator so that you can import into your accounting software with little-to-no manual effort.

This report is customized based on your company's unique DESTINI Estimator Implementation and accounting software configuration. Once a report is implemented, you can export into the desired format .csv, .xlsx, .txt to import into your accounting system.

What We Need From You

1. Provide an import file that was previously imported into your accounting software
   A sample file would help us to uncover minute details about your accounting software import requirements
2. WBS Properties for organizing costs:
   For example, WBS Properties for your Accounting codes/description must exist in your database. Also, if you wish to spread costs into different cost categories than the standard Labor, Material, Sub, Equipment and Other categories, WBS properties could be used to sort the costs in the import file 
3.  Four weeks of collaboration: 
   1. Once the Reporting team commits to work on your accounting import file, we will be in constant communication and collaboration throughout the phases of the accounting export development. It is important that you are able to work together with us.
   2. If you are unable to accommodate this timeline at the moment, let our team know so we can reconvene after a couple of weeks when you are ready.
4. Provide sample estimate:
    A test estimate that includes all the needed WBS and fees should be provide to the report developer by the end of the scoping phase. The estimate should be similar to your other projects in DESTINI. This allows the report developer to refer to real data through the implementation. 
5. Access to estimating and accounting experts:
   The Accounting export development process is most efficient and effective when both the individuals involved in the estimation process and the individuals responsible for importing the data into the accounting software participate in the discussions.

An Overview of Accounting Export Development Processes:

1. Scoping 

The goal of scoping is to outline the output requirements for translating an estimate from DESTINI Estimator into a client's accounting platform.

In order to proceed with the scoping phase, specific requirements must be met. This includes, and may not be limited to the following:

1. Understand how line items are broken down and fit into the accounting system.

2. Line items tagged with Accounting Code and Description (if applicable) using one or multiple WBS Properties.

Fees

1. Understand their estimate fee structure and how it fits into the accounting system.

2. For each Fee within Estimator's Fee Table, identify its associated Accounting Code, Description, and Category (if applicable). 

2. Development

The goal of the report developer is to create an accounting export that meets the requirements outlined in the agreed upon scope of work that was created during the scoping phase. 

3. Testing

The goal of testing is for the client to dedicate time to run the accounting export against multiple estimates to ensure the costs are extracted correctly from DESTINI and imported into the accounting software without errors. Any bugs found during testing will be fixed.

How Are Accounting Import Files Generated?

Currently the reporting team will develop a client-specific template (.repx file) in DevExpress Report Designer based on the report requirements. When this report runs against any estimate in DESTINI, it opens a file in the Report Previewer which you can export into the format required by the accounting software (.csv, .xlsx, .txt etc.).