A Look Back at the Municipal Accounting Services’ Year

Since 2021, the League has worked to maximize the impact of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds allocated by the state, working directly with municipalities across North Carolina. In 2024, the League made significant strides in supporting towns by transitioning its ARP team into the Municipal Accounting Services (MAS) team to better reflect the department’s evolving focus. The MAS team provides a comprehensive suite of financial services, including accounting, software conversion, one-on-one accounting training and mentorship, as well as ongoing technical assistance.

A cornerstone of MAS has been accounting software conversion for cities. This program includes access to a comprehensive accounting system that is specifically geared towards government finance, allowing greater flexibility in building reports and streamlining financial accounting and payroll processes, among other features. Additionally, towns receive personalized training from a League accounting specialist.

“As far as having help from the League, if you run into any situations or you have any problems ... they’re there to help you. Whereas any other software that I know of, you don’t have that,” Ashley Eure, Hertford finance director, said. “That’s a big plus, especially for a small town when you have one person juggling a lot of things. It is nice to be able to have that help.” 

“I think the MAS program is a crucial program in streamlining resources. I cannot stress enough how much I really have appreciated it,” Katie Atkins, Caswell Beach director of finance, said. “It has made my transition into this position smooth. It has boosted my confidence, and it has provided me with valuable resources and knowledge that I would not have been afforded otherwise.”

At the end of 2024, 21 towns had completed this thorough, months-long transition to the new accounting software platform. Dozens of other towns are in the pipeline to receive this service and will be undergoing conversions in the near future. 

This past year, the League also launched its Accounting Instruction & Mentorship (AIM) program, designed to enhance the financial health of towns that historically lacked the training and resources necessary to thrive. The program offers customized instruction on accounting procedures, practical guidance to ensure finance departments remain on track, and catch-up bookkeeping and auditing services for towns facing a backlog. Additionally, AIM provides hands-on learning through dedicated mentors and creates an environment where finance officers can ask questions tailored to their specific needs.

“Going through this so far has allowed me to know what I am doing well, what I can sharpen on, and as a result, each time we are done with our training I feel a little bit more confident,” Joe Killion, Bailey town administrator and CFO, said. “To know that I have someone I can call makes all the difference in the world.” 

In addition to accounting software and mentorship, the League’s cybersecurity team has also trained hundreds of municipal employees in cybersecurity awareness, equipping them with the tools necessary to safeguard both town operations and citizen data.

Alongside its accounting program, MAS has delivered measurable outcomes through its other technical services also. In partnership with Witt O’Brien’s, the League’s grant-writing program has secured over $2 million in funding for participating towns.

The grants received will serve to make towns safer by funding projects to improve dangerous intersections and providing police forces with bulletproof vests.

The town of Hertford in Perquimans County was awarded the NC Department of Congress’ Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant to rehabilitate the Hertford State Theater, one of the town’s historical landmarks. Hertford was one of only two towns that received the full $850,000 of grant dollars available. 

“If it was not for Witt O’Brien’s I do not know if we would have been able to get the full dollar amount, because we were able to win that grant and get the full dollar amount,” Doris Walton, Hertford interim town manager, said. “And we are so beyond grateful for this program because at a time where we are rebuilding and for the League to offer that service to us, I cannot put a value on it.”

The League has also facilitated partnerships with law firms to support towns in developing policies and procedures, drafting requests for proposals and addressing other legal matters, including a projects such as creating an interlocal water agreement between municipalities and facilitating design agreements for the creation of a recreational park. Furthermore, the cybersecurity team has trained hundreds of municipal employees, equipping them with the tools necessary to safeguard both town operations and citizen data.

Concluding a successful year, the MAS program was honored with the Government Finance Officers Association’s Award for Excellence in Government Finance, recognizing innovative programs that offer creative solutions to common challenges and uphold GFOA best practices. We are proud to have received this prestigious national distinction.