Success Stories

The Challenge

Prior to implementing Questica Budget, the Town of Canmore used an Excel-based budgeting approach which was very labor-intensive and prone to errors or missing information. Distributing spreadsheets to department managers proved to be a confusing process, with discrepancies between what departments submitted and the information presented in budget reports. Resolving these discrepancies delayed the budget process even further. In addition, the Town was challenged with having multiple versions of spreadsheets with missing or outdated information, a common issue for local governments using spreadsheets.

The Solution

Using Questica Budget, Canmore can successfully take charge of preparing their operating, capital and salaries budgets. Everything the Town needs for managing their multi-year budgets is located in one place with secure access for department managers. With direct integration with their Dynamics GP financial system, Canmore can always feel confident that their budget data is accurate. By implementing Questica’s Budget Book powered by Caseware in 2020, the Town can publish a Budget Book that meets the standards for the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award without the countless hours of work normally required.

Business Benefits

Powerful functionality for preparing budgets efficiently and accurately

Questica Budget’s powerful functionality enables Canmore to prepare their operating,
salaries and capital budgets more efficiently and accurately. No longer will the Town need to organize multiple spreadsheets that require manual data entry and put them at risk of errors. Integrating seamlessly with their Dynamics GP financial system, Canmore’s budget data is updated every night and ensures they are working with the most up-to-date information.

Multi-user system for easily accessing and viewing budget data

With up to 20 department managers participating in the budgeting process, Questica
Budget provides a collaborative environment for budget preparation with role-based security level access. Department managers can easily access their specific department actuals or other information online at any time. Budget adjustments can be submitted using the change request system, an automated process for having proposed changes approved, while adjustments are tracked in Questica Budget.

Flexibility for managing multi-year budgets and making adjustments

Questica Budget’s flexible system allowed Canmore to effortlessly transition to a multi-year budgeting process and manage their two-year approved budget. The system makes it easy to develop a first year budget, then add any following years, plus roll or shift the budget amounts to the next year. When making budget adjustments, users can add notes, additional budget details and attach documentation for future reference.

Budget Book powered by Caseware to save time publishing the annual Budget Book

Even though Canmore produces a high-quality Budget Book every year, the Town will save countless hours of work by implementing Questica’s Budget Book powered by Caseware in 2020. This publishing tool integrates directly with Questica Budget and allows local governments to create, collaborate, edit and publish an awards-compliant Budget Book. Canmore can publish the same high-quality Budget Book to share with stakeholders and citizens, but with less time and effort.

“Efficiently creating a Budget Book has always been a thorn in every municipality’s side. I always had it at the back of my mind until we could roll out the implementation. So it’s our first year and we’re jumping in.”

— Ric Irwin, Senior Finance Officer, Town of
Canmore

Questica Budget provides the Town of Canmore with the flexibility and functionality required to successfully manage their multi-year budgets.