In Version 19, we added a dashboard to PracticeMaster. In Version 2020, we added dashboards to Tabs3 Billing, Trust Accounting, Accounts Payable, and General Ledger!
Dashboards are an easy way to get a quick overview of important data. Dashboards can be accessed via the Dashboard tab of the Home Page and provide the following information:
Tabs3 Billing Dashboard – Displays Accounts Receivable and Work-in-Process for each aging period, as well as a Cash Receipts and a Billing History billing widget to compare figures for the past two years. The dashboard can optionally be filtered in Platinum systems for one or more timekeepers, categories, or locations.
PracticeMaster Dashboard – Displays the current month’s Calendar, a list of upcoming events, a My Task list that can be checked off, and a Recap of Hours graph. Additionally, buttons to Add Event, Add Task, and Add Fee are included.
Trust Accounting Dashboard – Displays a summary of your firm’s active Bank Accounts and a list of Recent Trust Transactions. Additionally, buttons to Import Bank Transactions, Print Checks, and Add Transactions are included.
Accounts Payable Dashboard – Displays a list of Unpaid Invoices. Additionally, buttons to quickly Print Checks, Post Checks, print a Check Register, and Add Invoices are included.
General Ledger Dashboard – Displays a summary of your firm’s Bank Accounts and a list of Recent Bank Transactions. Additionally, buttons to Import Bank Transactions and Add Journal Entries are included.
Want to see all of the new features in Version 2020? Check out Knowledge Base Article R11812, “Version 2020 Introduction to New Features!”
This article provides information on each new feature, both big and small. Features are listed by program and include screenshots and links to additional information when applicable. Each time we add a new feature to Version 2020, this article is updated so that you can get the information you need to begin using the feature.
Our Knowledge Base can be accessed at support.Tabs3.com. You can also access our Knowledge Base while in the software by selecting Help | Internet Resources | Knowledge Base.
Trust Accounting Software (TAS) and Accounts Payable Software (APS) now support Positive Pay!
Positive Pay Export utility (Checks | Positive Pay Export) allows you to export a list of approved checks that can then be uploaded to your bank or financial institution’s fraud prevention program (commonly known as Positive Pay). The export file is customized separately for each TAS or APS bank account, allowing you to provide the specific information your bank requires.
When you configure a new bank account for Positive Pay, the software walks you through the process of configuring your export file and exporting your first batch of checks. Once you have exported your initial batch of checks, the software tracks which checks have been printed, so you don’t need to specify a date range for future exports.
For more information on this great new feature, check out R11833, “Exporting Checks Using Positive Pay!”
Time is money, and how long it takes for your firm to complete tasks affects the bottom line. So how will Platinum software speed things up for your firm?
- The amount of data processed on the workstation is minimized, thereby also minimizing the amount of data transferred across the network.
- Report processing speed is increased by 10 to 30 times or more.
- Filtering and column sorting are done at the server, sending only records that have been pre-filtered and pre-sorted to the workstation. Because of this, QuickViews and use of the Search Box are also faster in Platinum.
- Tabs3 Billing and PracticeMaster Data File Integrity Checks are processed at the server. Rather than having to read and validate all of the records from a file, the workstation only receives the results of this process.
- Tabs3 Billing and PracticeMaster Dashboard data is also processed at the server, which reduces network traffic and increases the responsiveness and refresh capabilities of the widgets.
For more information about Platinum Accelerators, see Knowledge Base Article R11182, “Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Accelerators.” For more information about Platinum features, see Knowledge Base Article R11379, “Platinum Overview.” If you have any questions regarding Platinum features, contact your local consultant or contact Technical Support at (402) 419-2210.
Are you ready to file your 1099’s? Tax season is here and Tabs3 E-file can help simplify your 1099 submission process! Beginning with Version 19, Tabs3 has partnered with Nelco® to provide Tabs3 E-file, a complete solution to filing your 1099-MISC and 1096 forms. Learn how to upload your data to the Tabs3 E-file portal so that your 1099’s can be electronically filed, printed and mailed, or emailed on your behalf, which can save you valuable time and effort.
Watch this three-minute video here:
Training Videos can be accessed at Tabs3.com/videos. You can also access the videos while in the software by selecting Help | Training Videos.
Have you ever encountered comments in a Client’s file stating that the client was contacted about their past due balance without any reference as to who or when? When adding comments to any Memo type field in PracticeMaster, or to the Client Notes field in the Tabs3 Billing Client file, press F5 to automatically insert the current system date, system time, and User ID for the currently logged in user. When pressing F5, the text will be displayed in the following format:
01/23/2020 01:53pm DAWN
F5 is a quick and easy way to take the guesswork out of determining when information was entered, and who entered it.
I received a check today with a statement number in the Memo field. However, the payer is not in the Client file. Is there a way for us to search for a statement number if we don’t know which client it is for?
If the firm uses Firm level statement numbering (Utilities | Customization | Options tab), meaning each statement has a unique statement number, then it is easy to enter a payment for the correct client matter as long as you have a statement number.
To enter a payment based on statement number
- From the File menu, point to Open and select Payment.
- Without selecting a Client ID, click the
(Select by Statement Number) icon. - Enter the Statement Number and click OK.
- Enter any other payment information as desired.
- Press Ctrl+S.
Note: If your firm is on Client level statement numbering, we suggest running a Client Ledger Report (Reports | Management | Client Ledger Report) with a date range that includes the likely statement number. Select any other options, and/or narrow down the Client ID range, as desired. You can then preview the report and click the Search button to search for the statement number and determine the applicable client matter.
When I print a Client Ledger Report from the Client Manager, I get a message that nothing printed. However, when I run the Client Ledger Report directly, it shows me the client’s history. Why won’t the report print from the Client Manager?
When customizing Client Manager, you can select the report definition to use. Most likely, the Include Zero Balance Clients check box is not selected in the report definition used by the Client Manager. You can edit the existing report definition, or create a new report definition via Client Manager.
To create a new report definition for Client Manager
- From the File menu, select Client Manager.
- At the bottom of the window, select the Customize option.
- Click the Client Ledger Report icon.
- Click the Report Definition button.
- On the Options tab, select the Include Zero Balance Clients check box.
- Select any other settings, as desired.
- Click Save
- Click OK to save the changes to the existing report definition.
- Close the Client Ledger Report.
- Select the Run option.
The Client Ledger Report will now run with the newly-saved settings from the Client Manager.
I sometimes miss eNotes because the eNote window is behind other open windows. Is there a way to force the eNote window to the front so that I don’t miss them?
To make sure that the eNote window is not hidden behind windows, you can select the Always on Top setting in eNote Preferences. Once selected, the eNote window will be displayed on top of any open window, provided the eNote window is not minimized.
To specify eNotes are always on top
- From the Maintenance menu, point to Preferences and select eNote Preferences.
- Select the Always on Top check box.
- Click OK.
Note: eNote is a Platinum-only feature.
I sometimes have a lot of incomplete tasks in my Task List. I want to be able to sort them, but the field I want to sort by isn’t shown. How can I add another column to the Task List?
Like other files, Column Layouts can be added or edited for the Task List to help make record sorting easier.
To add a column to the Task List
- From the Calendar menu, select Task List.
- Right-click in the Task List and select Manage Column Layouts.
- In the Manage Quick Clicks window:
- Click the
(Edit) button. - In the Available Fields column, select the field on which you want to sort, and then click the Add button.
- Click Save, and then close the Manage Quick Clicks window.
- Click the
The new column will now be shown in the Task List and can be used to sort records.
Note: Changes made to the column layout will also be present in the Task List shown at the bottom of the Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Calendar.
The beginning of our financial year is currently set to January; however, we consider November to be the beginning of our financial year. How can we change this?
You can change the Beginning Fiscal Month, which will determine the order in which months will print on financial reports, as well as Quarter-to-Date (QTD) and Year-to-Date (YTD) figures.
To change the Beginning Fiscal Month
- From the Utilities menu, select Edit GLS Client.
- Select the desired Beginning Fiscal Month.
- Press Ctrl+S.
A few months ago I created a new account in GLS and journal entries have been entered for that account. However, our accountant has requested that we change the number of the account. Is there a way to change the account number without losing our journal entries?
The Renumber GLS Accounts function can be used to renumber any GLS account, even if journal entries have been posted for that account, or if it has an account balance.
To renumber an account
- From the Maintenance menu, point to Renumber and select Account.
- In the Old Account Number field, select the account you want to change.
- In the New Account Number field, enter the new number for the account.
- Click OK.
This process will automatically change all of the applicable journal entries, deposit slips, and recurring entries to the new account number.
Note: When you renumber an account in GLS it will automatically update the references to the old account number in Tabs3, APS, and TAS integration settings to the new number. However, any GLS report definitions and GLS Report Writer reports that use the old account number must be manually updated.
We have decided to revamp the numbering conventions for our vendors as of the first of the year. Is there a way to update our existing vendors to our new numbering sequence, or will we have to delete them and recreate them one at a time?
The Renumber Vendors program can be used to assign new numbers to existing vendors. All invoices, manual checks, EFTs, posted checks, voided checks, recurring entries, and vendor productivity amounts are renumbered as well.
To renumber a vendor
- From the Maintenance menu, point to Renumber and select Vendors.
- In the Old Vendor Number field, select the vendor you want to change
- In the New Vendor Number field, enter the new number for the vendor.
- Click OK.
Your vendor will now have the new number and is ready for use.
We are late getting year-end wrapped up and have not yet ordered 1099 forms. Does Accounts Payable have an option for generating 1099’s without printing forms?
Tabs3 has partnered with Nelco to provide the Tabs3 1099 E-file, which is a complete solution to filing your 1099-MISC and 1096 forms. Firms don’t need to deal with the forms, envelopes or postage, or configuring the printer at your office; instead, upload your data to the Tabs3 E-file portal. From here, they can be electronically filed, printed and mailed, or emailed on your behalf, saving you time and manpower every year.
To use Tabs3 1099 E-file
- From the Reports menu, point to 1099 Information and select Tabs3 1099 E-file.
- Optionally select one or more options in the Trust Transactions section.
- Click Transmit.
From here you will be prompted to enter your Nelco user name and password, or create a new account. Once logged in, you can select your desired services.
More information on Tabs3 E-file can be found in Knowledge Base Article R11788, “All About Tabs3 E-file.”
Note: Tabs3 E-file can also be started from Trust Accounting software, with similar options.
When we generated the 1099 Report, we discovered a duplicate payee. Is there a way to combine the duplicates?
Payees can be combined by first deleting the payee that you want to keep, and then renaming the duplicate payee to the deleted payee name. Since payees can be specified in Trust Transactions without being added to the Payee file, deleting a payee from the Payee file does not affect the payee information in each transaction and when the new payee is renamed, it will reattach these transactions.
To delete a payee
- From the File menu, point to Open and select Miscellaneous.
- From the Payee tab, select the payee that you want to keep. Make sure this payee has the desired spelling and punctuation.
- Delete the payee. (Note: This does not remove any associated trust transactions.)
To rename a payee
- From the Maintenance menu, point to Renumber and select Rename Payee.
- In the Old Payee field, select the payee that you want to rename.
- In the New Payee field, enter the payee that you just deleted. This must be entered exactly as it appears on transactions.
- Select the Modify existing transactions check box.
- Click OK.
One of our attorneys left the firm and we need to determine which trust accounts they were responsible for so we can reassign them. Is there a report that will show this?
A Trust Account List can be run to show all trust accounts for which the attorney is responsible.
To run a Trust Account List for a specific attorney
- From the Reports menu, select Trust Account List.
- On the Trust Accounts tab, select the desired Responsible Attorney.
- On the Options tab, select the Include Zero Balance Trusts check box.
- On the Sort tab, select the desired options.
- Click OK.
Tip: When previewing the report, click on the Trust ID or Client Name to drill-down to the Trust Account Information window. The Responsible Attorney can then be edited on the Balances tab.