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IconCMO Fund Accounting
by Icon Systems
by Icon Systems
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
We help make selecting a software for your business effortless, economical and efficient.
by Icon Systems
by Icon Systems
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
The implementation process for IconCMO Fund Accounting software involves several key steps, each designed to ensure that the software meets the specific needs of a church or religious institution. The typical duration of the implementation process can vary depending on the complexity of the organization's requirements and their readiness to transition to a new system.
1. Initial Setup and Configuration
- Account Creation: The process begins with setting up an account for the church, which involves registering with Icon Systems and providing basic organizational details.
- Software Configuration: This includes setting up the general ledger, chart of accounts, and other foundational elements of the fund accounting system. The setup guide provided by Icon Systems offers detailed instructions on how to configure these elements.
2. Training
- User Training: IconCMO provides comprehensive training resources to help users understand how to effectively use the software. This includes in-depth guides, free webinars, and the option for one-on-one training sessions. The training is designed to accommodate users with varying levels of financial expertise.
3. Data Migration
- Importing Existing Data: For churches transitioning from another system, IconCMO supports the migration of existing financial data into its system. This step is crucial for maintaining continuity in financial reporting and record-keeping.
- Data Validation: After data migration, it’s important to validate the data to ensure accuracy and completeness. This may involve checking the transferred financial records against old reports and rectifying any discrepancies.
4. Customization
- Adapting to Church Needs: IconCMO allows for significant customization to cater to the specific needs of different churches. This can include customizing financial reports, setting up specific fund accounts, and tailoring the user access controls.
- Integration with Other Systems: IconCMO can integrate with various external applications and services such as email marketing tools and online donation platforms, enhancing its functionality and providing a more comprehensive management solution.
5. Testing
- System Testing: Before going live, it’s essential to conduct thorough testing of the system to ensure that all features are working as expected and that the system is fully operational without any major issues.
6. Go-Live
- Launching the Software: Once testing is completed and the church staff are comfortable with the system, the software can officially go live.
- Ongoing Support: IconCMO offers ongoing support and customer service to address any issues that may arise after implementation. This includes access to a knowledgeable support team that can assist with both technical and accounting-related queries.
Duration of Implementation
The entire process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, largely depending on the preparedness of the church, the volume of data being migrated, and the level of customization required.
Yes, IconCMO Fund Accounting software can be customized to fit specific business needs, particularly for churches and religious organizations. The customization capabilities of IconCMO are designed to ensure that the software can adapt to the unique requirements of each organization, enhancing both financial management and overall operational efficiency.
1. Custom Reports: IconCMO allows for the creation of custom reports. Users can set up the columns they want to see, filter records, and sort data as needed. The custom report interface provides access to complete database tables, enabling users to select fields and specify ranges of data. These reports can be generated in PDF, Excel, or HTML formats.
2. User-Specific Permissions: The software supports the creation and configuration of user accounts with specific permissions. Permission levels include Read, Read/Write, and No Access levels to different screens, ensuring that users only access the information and functionalities relevant to their roles.
3. Email and Text Communication: IconCMO facilitates group communication through email and text messages, allowing for the sending of reminders and last-minute updates. This feature can be customized to target specific groups within the organization, enhancing engagement and communication efficiency.
4. Fund Accounting Module: The fund accounting module helps manage and track financial transactions by individual funds, enabling organizations to maintain financial integrity and comply with donor restrictions. This module is adaptable to the specific financial structure of the church or religious institution.
5. Integration with Payment Processors: IconCMO integrates with two main payment processors, supporting recurring gifts and importing data into the contribution module. Churches can also use a file import method to bring data from other payment processors they use, offering flexibility in managing donations.
6. Pledge Management: The software can handle pledges for multiple funds, any date range, multi-year, and various giving frequencies. Donation statements can be customized to include or exclude pledge information, depending on the organization's preferences.
7. Customizable Lists and Groups: IconCMO allows for the customization of various lists, such as groups, talents, attendance, status codes, phone and email types, relationships, gender, and milestones. This feature enables organizations to tailor the software to their specific operational and management needs.
8. Mass Emailing and Texting: The software supports the creation of custom groups for mass emailing or texting, facilitating efficient communication with members and visitors. This feature can be used to send quarterly or monthly donation statements, reminders for events, or other important announcements.
There are no explicit mentions of additional costs such as setup fees, maintenance, or support charges for IconCMO Fund Accounting software. The pricing structure is primarily subscription-based, determined by the number of households managed within the system. The subscription includes various features and functionalities without explicitly listing additional charges for setup, maintenance, or support.
Furthermore, one of the highlighted pros of the software is the inclusion of support within the IconCMO package, with no additional fees for data storage, updates, or support, except for the payroll module. This suggests that customer support and software updates are included in the subscription price, providing value to users without hidden or extra costs.
However, for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding any potential additional costs, it would be advisable to directly contact Icon Systems, the provider of IconCMO Fund Accounting software.
IconCMO Fund Accounting software offers a comprehensive range of training and support options to assist new users in effectively utilizing the software.
User Training Resources
1. Webinars: IconCMO offers free webinars that provide training on specific topics related to the use of the software. These webinars are available both as group sessions and as one-on-one sessions upon request, allowing for more personalized guidance.
2. Setup Guides and Documentation: Detailed setup guides are available, such as the Fund Accounting Setup Guide, which provides step-by-step instructions on setting up the organization's information, personal preferences, accounting funds, and the chart of accounts. These guides are designed to help new users understand and implement the software correctly.
Customer Support and Assistance
1. Technical Support: IconCMO offers live technical support, which is highlighted as a significant advantage of the software. Users can call directly to receive assistance with any issues they encounter while using the software or during the trial period. This support is available at no additional cost as part of the subscription.
2. Support Forum: Users have access to a support forum within the IconCMO application where they can search for answers to common questions or post new queries to be addressed by the support staff.
Setup Guides and Documentation
1. Comprehensive Setup Guides: The software comes with detailed documentation, such as the Fund Accounting Setup Guide and Fund Accounting 101 guide, which help users understand the fundamentals of fund accounting and how to set up their system effectively.
2. E-books and Blogs: IconCMO also provides e-books and a regularly updated blog that covers a wide range of topics relevant to church management and accounting practices. These resources are designed to help users deepen their understanding of best practices in church finance.
On-Demand Video Training
1. Training Videos: IconCMO includes a series of how-to videos embedded in the system, which users can watch anytime to learn how to complete specific tasks within the software. These videos are designed to provide quick, visual instructions that are easy to follow.
IconCMO Fund Accounting software employs several security measures to protect data, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of church and nonprofit organization information.
1. User Access Controls: IconCMO allows for detailed user access controls, where administrators can assign specific permissions to users based on their roles within the organization. This ensures that users only have access to the necessary parts of the system, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.
2. Data Encryption: The software utilizes encryption to protect data both at rest and in transit. This encryption safeguards sensitive information from unauthorized access and ensures that data is securely transmitted over the internet.
3. Regular Data Backups: IconCMO incorporates regular backup features to securely safeguard data. This is crucial for data recovery and maintaining the integrity of the church’s information in case of data loss or system failure.
4. Secure Hosting: The software and data are hosted in secure data centers equipped with robust physical and network security measures. These data centers employ firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and physical security controls to enhance the protection of stored data.
5. Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: IconCMO prioritizes compliance with relevant data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This commitment ensures that church data is handled in full accordance with privacy laws and regulations.
These comprehensive security measures implemented by IconCMO Fund Accounting software provide robust protection against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other potential security risks, enabling churches and nonprofit organizations to manage their operations and store their data securely.
IconCMO Fund Accounting software is updated regularly to ensure users have access to the latest features and improvements. The management of updates is handled by Icon Systems, the provider of IconCMO, as part of their Software as a Service (SaaS) model. This approach means that updates are applied automatically by Icon Systems, so users do not need to manually download or install anything to benefit from the latest software version. This seamless update process is a key advantage of using a web-based system like IconCMO, as it ensures that all users have immediate access to new features and security enhancements without any additional effort on their part.
IconCMO Fund Accounting software does not explicitly detail its policy on data ownership and portability in the provided sources. However, general practices in cloud-based software services, like IconCMO, typically allow clients to own their data. These services often provide options for exporting data to ensure portability, allowing organizations to maintain control over their information and transfer it as needed for reporting, backup, or migration purposes.
For specific policies related to data ownership and portability, users should refer to the service agreement or contact Icon Systems directly to obtain detailed information on how they handle data ownership and the portability of data within their IconCMO Fund Accounting software. This is crucial for organizations to understand their rights and capabilities regarding the data they input and manage through the software.
IconCMO Fund Accounting software offers scalable pricing and features to accommodate changes in organizational needs. According to the information provided, the software's pricing scales with the number of families managed by the organization. This allows for flexibility in adjusting the service level as the size of the church or organization changes, either growing larger or smaller.
For specific terms related to scaling up or down, such as adjusting the number of user accounts or features available within different pricing tiers, users would typically need to consult directly with Icon Systems. They can provide detailed guidance on how to adjust the software's capabilities and costs in response to changes in the organization's size and needs. This approach ensures that churches can maintain efficient operations and cost management as their requirements evolve.
The terms and conditions for contract renewal and cancellation for IconCMO Fund Accounting software are not explicitly detailed in the provided sources. However, based on general practices for Software as a Service (SaaS) models like IconCMO, users typically have the flexibility to renew or cancel their subscriptions based on their needs.
For specific terms regarding contract renewal and cancellation:
- Subscription Model: IconCMO operates on a subscription basis, which usually allows for easy renewal at the end of each subscription period (monthly or annually). This model often includes auto-renewal options unless the user opts out.
- Cancellation Policy: Users can generally cancel their subscriptions at any time. SaaS models like IconCMO typically do not involve long-term contracts, providing flexibility for users to discontinue the service without penalty if it no longer meets their needs.
For the most accurate and detailed information regarding the renewal and cancellation policies for IconCMO Fund Accounting software, it would be advisable for users to review the service agreement provided by Icon Systems or directly contact their customer service. This ensures that users fully understand their commitments and the process for making changes to their service plans.
IconCMO Fund Accounting software meets compliance standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The software is designed to ensure that churches and nonprofit organizations adhere to the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) within the United States. Specifically, IconCMO has been reviewed for compliance with FASB guidelines, including SFAS No. 117, which requires that the equity of the funds must be reported as Net Assets and not in a liability or other areas of the Chart of Accounts[12]. This compliance is crucial for larger churches and nonprofit organizations to maintain transparency and accountability in their financial reporting.