Josh Lewis

The Utah Division of Finance's Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap to enhance financial reporting, strengthen internal controls, improve customer service, leverage technology, and invest in workforce development, aligning with the Department of Government Operations' vision for an efficient, effective, and collaborative government. The plan's core objectives include building a highly talented team, optimizing customer service, stabilizing the HCM/Payroll (Vantage) system, enhancing loan system operations, redesigning the data warehouse with modern business intelligence, developing a uniform chart of accounts, ensuring data privacy and system security compliance, implementing a comprehensive end-user training program, rewriting statewide accounting policies, monitoring agency compliance, and introducing vendor self-service, bank validation, and tax refund payment tracking solutions. The overarching vision is to promote trust and integrity in financial governance and responsible management of taxpayer funds for the benefit of all Utah citizens.

The meeting addressed critical updates following the implementation of the Vantage HCM system, focusing on system stabilization, payroll coordinator access, and reporting availability. Key discussion points included the adjustment of the Vantage system downtime, internal team role changes, and cross-training initiatives. Presenters also reviewed the impact of new payroll systems on labor distribution, accounting journals, and supplemental payrolls, while highlighting the need for end-user feedback on system errors and training gaps.

The meeting covered various updates regarding financial and budgetary processes. Key discussion topics included system stabilization for Vantage HCM, updates on accounting journal and labor distribution, fiscal year-end procedures for Concur, and legislative updates on employee benefits, retirement, and compensation. Additionally, the agenda addressed receivable clean-up procedures, CAGE registration information, the annual budget setup process, and upcoming deadlines for the fiscal year.

The meeting included discussions on non-lapsing budget procedures, updates regarding Vantage HCM training and bank reconciliations, and developments in Concur and fleet management. The committee also covered key project timelines, including payroll go-live dates and user acceptance testing requirements. Additionally, the group discussed processes for cash advances, reconciling P-card and lodge card transactions, and the implementation of two mileage rate options for agencies.

The meeting focused on updates regarding the new Vantage HCM payroll system and detailed accounting procedures. Key discussion points included the status of HCM implementation, payroll tax updates, and information concerning Concur and SAP Concur systems. A significant portion of the discussion involved detailed changes to comp time accrual and usage within Vantage compared to SAP, specifically addressing the 'comp leave additive' where the default additive percentage is changing from 30% to 7%. Attendees were informed about the final parallel payroll run (Pay Period 26) and subsequent validation activities scheduled around the week of February 2nd. Furthermore, updates were provided on CMIA/state treasury agreements concerning minimizing the delay between state expenditures and federal reimbursement. Agencies were also advised about changes to transaction types in the state data warehouse and accounting journal when querying payroll budget impacts in the new system.