SkyStem ART

Pros: I like the display and ability of it's functionalities. I like that the tool has potential to work cross functionally with our other merchandise tools to provide accurate numbers of inventory and reports.

Cons: I dislike that I need to upload an excel file into the ART system in order to have it run query for inventory purposes. It creates double work on my team to have to fill out an excel file and then submit it into ART in order to function properly and accurately. Perhaps having better functionality with excel sheets to be able to limit the double work in the future.

Pros: The software allows us to keep track of the status of our account reconciliations each month and quarter.

We had problems in the past with our Excel spreadsheets not being done and no one knew about it.

Converting to SkyStem also popped out a few things that were wrong and hadn't been identified in over 2 years.

Cons: We keep learning things that would have been better for us to set up at the beginning, but we just didn't understand at the time. I wish we could have had more time to set up at the beginning. This was probably more our fault as opposed to SkyStem.

Overall: Responsibility and accountability have increased. The team has come together to discuss better ways to use the software and how the software has helped them in their monthly close responsibilities.

Pros: Easy to navigate once you get used to it.

Like the prompting of due and overdue items.

Cons: The user Icons were a bit small and could do with more clarity

Overall: Quite happy with overall experience.

I believe it is much more 'user friendly' than the Blackline experience I had

with a previous employer.

Pros: I like that SkyStem allows me to save paper. Its great if I have an item that stays on the recon, I can just leave it open with the support attached. The team is also super helpful!

Cons: It would be nice if I could put the items in a specific order and not just have to sort by name, amount or date.

Overall: Its great at saving paper and not having to worry about formulas in Excel.

Pros: It gibes a clear view on the accounts and changing details is easy. It gives a central storage location for easy access for the accounts

Cons: The software slows down drastically at the end of the month when the accounts are to be tallied and stuff and uploading important data will have to hold for a while too.

Pros: Better than nothing - what we had before. Prior to this everyone did their own form of reconciliations and this forced us into uniformity.

Cons: Submitting journal entries. Difficult to navigate and figure out what hasn't been submitted for review. Reconciliation forms leave a lot to be desired as well.

Pros: All of the reconcilements and backup documentation are organized by month making audits a breeze. I also like that you can verify that all balance sheet accounts have been reconciled and reviewed for a given month.

Cons: I wish there was an option for daily or weekly reconcilements for certain accounts and not just monthly.

Overall: Organization of our reconcilements and one place to find all reconcilements prepared and reviewed for a given month.

Pros: I like the home page with the graphs and the task manager ability. I like the fact that you can see the review notes and you also receive an email with the review notes.

Cons: Recon page is too broken up between adjustments and support sections. Too many items to check off once you have completed the recon. One statement to certify should be sufficient. Also don't like the fact that you can't go back and edit adjustment items the next month.

Pros: I find the system straight forward and very self explanatory. I have never had any major issues using this.

Cons: Sometimes you get logged out of the system and have to log back in. Not a major problem but can be inconvenient

Overall: I do not really get the benefits as an individual but I think my company sees the benefits of this as they can link in with all the various offices.

Pros: Not one item rises to the surface. Some functions are expected, so nothing rates a "favorite" category.

Cons: Updated balances need to be manually performed by Corporate Offices, often we are trying to balance to an old figure and have to manually determine what is the correct balance.

Overall: Still determining this.