TABLE OF CONTENTS

• March 2024 Release
• February 2024 Release
• January 2024 Release
• December 2023 Release
• November 2023 Release
• October 2023 Release
• September 2023 Release
• July 2023 Release
• June 2023 Release
• May 2023 Release

March 2024 Release

New Features

Integration with BGL 360 (Beta)

We're thrilled to announce a long-awaited update that our customers have been asking for a native integration with BGL 360! With this highly anticipated release, you can now connect to BGL 360 from Active Workpapers to pull the Trial balance and General Ledger details.

Note: Due to current API limitations, we are unable to push journals from Active Workpapers into BGL. As we continue to improve this, adjustment journals can be manually raised in BGL to reflect the balance in Active Workpapers. 

Define Standard Chart of Accounts:

We are excited to announce that firms can now define a standard chart of accounts for different entity types at the firm level in Active Workpapers. This means the accounts will be presented in a standardized manner regardless of the accounting software used, such as Xero or MYOB. If you are an Active administrator in your firm, you can configure the chart by going to Workpapers Admin > Standard Chart.

Streamlined Binder and Ledger File Navigation: Say Goodbye to Tab Spam!

We've heard your feedback loud and clear! Clicking on a binder name or ledger file name will now open the binder or ledger file directly within the current window. This eliminates the creation of unnecessary tabs and keeps your workspace clutter-free.

Want to open a binder or ledger file in a new tab? No problem! Simply right-click on the name and select "Open link in new tab."

This change ensures a smoother and more efficient browsing experience for all our users.

Binder Updates

2024 Fringe Benefits Tax

We are excited to announce the release of the latest version of our FBT Workpapers, now with a refreshed design and enhanced functionality to streamline your fringe benefits tax calculations and reporting. With a focus on user experience and efficiency, this update introduces two new worksheets: a specialised worksheet for managing multiple cars and a comprehensive employee summary sheet, each designed to optimise your tax reporting processes.

The first addition, the FB20 Multi-Cars Fringe Benefits worksheet, is specifically designed to accommodate the complexities of calculating FBT for multiple vehicles. This enhancement not only simplifies data entry and calculations but also enriches the reporting capabilities, ensuring a more efficient and comprehensive tax reporting process for businesses managing vehicle fleets.

We have also introduced the FB19 FBT Employee Summary worksheet, designed to provide a holistic view of all employee benefits in one place. This sheet makes it easier than ever to review and analyse the total reportable benefits across your entire workforce. With all employee FBT data consolidated into a single, easy-to-navigate worksheet, you can now ensure no detail is overlooked in your FBT reporting.

2025 Salary Sacrifice

Our latest update also includes Salary Sacrifice Workpapers, engineered to calculate potential savings for employees engaging in salary sacrifice arrangements. This feature is designed to provide clear, concise insights into how salary sacrifice can impact take-home pay and tax liabilities, offering employees a transparent view of the financial benefits of such arrangements.

2024 Tax Planning

Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living - Medicare Levy) Bill 2024 (Stage 3 Tax Cuts) passed both Houses on 27 February 2024 and received Royal Assent 5 March 2024. This change resulted in the Medicare levy low-income threshold for the 2023-2024 income year increasing from $24,276 to $26,000. And the phase out threshold increased from $30,345 to $32,500. For this reason, we have re-released the 2024 Tax Planning starter to take into account the new rates. 

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

Ability to export Asset Reports in PDF and Word formats

Users can now export Asset Reports as PDF files or Word documents.

Mapping Report Available in Reports Tab

Effortlessly visualize the grouping of all source accounts to Active Ledger groups and classifications, enhancing clarity and precision in your financial mapping. Plus, you can now export this insightful report directly into Excel for seamless analysis and sharing.

February 2024 Release

New Features and Automation

ATO Integration: Integrated Client Account and Income Tax Account

We are excited to announce two more features to our ATO Integration series - Integrated Client Account and Income Tax Account. Simply insert our new H50 Integrated Client Account and C50 Income Tax Account templates into your binder and it will auto-populate with all the relevant ATO transactional data for these accounts. No more logging into the ATO portal to manually retrieve these data. Imagine the time you will save for each job.

Watch the video below to see it in action. 

Learn how to use the H50 Integrated Client Account and C50 Income Tax Account templates here.

Fixed Asset Automation with Active Ledger & Reporting

Introducing our latest feature in Active Workpapers' automation series: Fixed Asset Automation with Active Ledger. If you manage assets in Active Ledger & Reporting, simply insert the improved G10 Fixed Assets Reconciliation workpaper template in Active Workpapers, and watch the automation working its magic - fetching fixed asset data from Active Ledger & Reporting and populating G10! This saves you significant time by eliminating manual data entry and speeding up the reconciliation process.

Watch the video below to see it in action. 

Our comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to use the Fixed Assets Automation with Active Ledger & Reporting. Click here

Improved Workpaper Template: G10 Fixed Assets Reconciliation

Based on valuable user feedback, we redesigned the G10 Fixed Asset Reconciliation workpaper template to help you reconcile your Fixed Asset Register and Accounts, regardless of where you maintain the assets balances. 

If you manage the fixed assets outside of Active Ledger and Reporting, simply enter the data manually in the G10 Fixed Assets Reconciliation workpaper.

J50 BAS Lodgements Updates

We have improved our J50 BAS Lodgements worksheet to now prepopulate the last activity statement before the start of the current financial period. For example, in a binder where the period has been set to 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, the data for the June 2022 Activity statement will also be included and will be brought across to J51 GST Reconciliation and N80 Wages & PAYG to reconcile the opening balances.

Current Year Earnings account in the Trial Balance

We have listened to your feedback and have now included a Current Year Earnings account in the Equity section of the Trial Balance. This system account reflects the net profit of the year, and by including it in the Equity section, it ensures that the total Equity balances with Net Assets in the Balance Sheet.

Improved Document Link functionality

This enhancement empowers users to effortlessly add documents to the 'Notes/Hyperlinks' section in Excel workpapers by right-clicking and selecting the 'Add Document Link' option. Users can either upload a new document directly or link an existing one, enabling seamless cross-referencing of documents in their workpapers. 

When a worksheet does not have linked documents, the "Add Document Link" button prompts users to add a document.

However, if the workpaper has existing documents available, users can select a document from the available list or upload a new one using the 'Add More Documents' button.

Binder Updates

Tax Planning

The latest update to our Tax Planning binder enhances the user experience with a redesigned, more intuitive interface, including easier navigation between worksheets. This update also introduces the ability to compare current and previous period tax data. These improvements, along with our core offerings of optimising tax position strategies and techniques for minimising tax liabilities, solidify Active Workpapers as a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for efficient tax planning and management.

Template Improvements and Bug Fixes

N15 Entertainment

Presenting a preloaded Entertainment template. Now, you can directly import transactions from Xero, which saves time and minimises errors from manual data entry. This template also simplifies the identification of non-deductible amounts, which are seamlessly integrated into the Tax Reconciliation process.

F05 Trade Debtors and H05 Trade Creditors 

The latest update introduces a streamlined design overhaul for both the Trade Creditors and Trade Debtors worksheets, enhancing the user experience with a more user-friendly interface. This update also includes new graphical sections, which provide a visual representation of financial data to aid you in your analytical work. Additionally, "Analytical Insights" have been integrated into both analysis sections, offering deeper, actionable insights into financial standings.

We are excited to release the revamped Provision for Doubtful Debts section, featuring a "Debtors at risk" table that highlights the top 10 'at risk' debtors based on customisable sensitivity settings. These design and feature updates not only enhance the visual and functional aspects of the templates but also incorporate advanced analytics features, significantly improving insights and efficiency in managing monthly workpapers.

N75 Superannuation

Our latest release features a redesigned superannuation template, aimed at improving user navigation and efficiency. Alongside the aesthetic enhancements, we've corrected a previously encountered bug where late payment warnings were not appearing as intended. This update ensures a smoother experience and better compliance with superannuation payment deadlines.

J50 BAS Lodgements

In line with our recent updates across various templates, the BAS Lodgements sheet has also undergone a redesign to ensure consistency and enhance user experience. The sheet also introduces a new feature: a deferred GST column. This addition is designed to provide users with more flexibility and accuracy in managing GST obligations, particularly for those dealing with imported goods and opting for deferred GST schemes.

C25 Group Tax Reconciliation

We're thrilled to introduce our new group tax reconciliation worksheet, developed in response to your valuable feedback. Designed to simplify the task of summarising tax positions across various entities, this tool also efficiently handles trust and partnership distributions among entities. Furthermore, it allows for the inclusion of your tax planning estimates, enabling a comprehensive comparison with the final results.

Company Tax Return

Changed the Closing Stock figure to display as a positive in the Financial Information section, so that it would import into APS Tax correctly.

January 2024 Release

• Balance Sheet Filter
  Added a dedicated "Balance Sheet" filter in the Trial Balance section for easier navigation.
  
  
• Source Logo and 'Last Refresh' Timestamp
  Now displays the source logo and the last refreshed timestamp on the Index page for better visibility.
  
  
  
• Improved 'Record Details' Page
  Now, clicking the 'i' icon next to any record instantly reveals a pop-up window displaying all the information you need. Plus, we've fine-tuned the button layout for a smoother experience.
  
• Introducing 'Quick Comment'
  Right-click on any account or record and use "Quick Comment" to add comments like "No action required" or "No movement during the period". These comments will then appear below the account/record.
  
  Note: Quick comments are not subject to any approval workflow. If you need a comment that requires formal approval, please use the "Comment" feature within "Add Record."
    
• Export Trial Balance
  You can now export the trial balance from Active Workpapers as a .csv or .xlxs file using the "Export Trial Balance" option under "Settings & Tools."  
  The exported file includes four columns: Account No, Account Name, Debit, and Credit.
   
  

• Office Filter and Column
  "Office" is now available as both a filter and a column in the work paper and ledger listing pages for improved organisation.

• Introducing Document Link functionality
  Now, users can effortlessly link an existing document to any cell in the 'Notes/Hyperlinks' section in Excel worksheets, enabling seamless cross-referencing of documents in their workpapers. 
  
  Once the document has been saved in Active, use the 'Document Link' functionality to cross-reference a document in your Excel worksheets:
  
  

• Add Internal Notes and Client Queries directly from Excel
  Users now have the ability to create internal notes and client queries from the right-click menu when working in the Excel binder. These actions are also now available in the add-in ribbon:

  
  

  

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

• New Page: Financial Excerpt 
  Users are able to create a financial statement page that shows the contents of a single nominated account. Simply add a new 'Financial Excerpt' page when drafting the financial reports, select the required account and generate your financial report:
   

• Hide Page Numbers
  Users now have the ability to remove page numbers when drafting financial reports. Either make this change per individual report to customise the output or adopt this change on a firm level in the Admin centre: 

  
  

  

• New Standard Chart Accounts Header for  'Other Operating Income'
  We have introduced the ability to now group accounts under an ‘Other Operating Income’ header. Once grouped, users can now show the Profit and Loss statement with this new header:
  

• Import All Accounts 

We have introduced the ability to import all accounts from a source system. Import accounts with nil balances to see a full listing of all available accounts when working through your compliance jobs.

• Formula Editor Fixes :
  • Users are now able to hide the total row if the formula output produces a nil/0 result
  • Fixed a bug where the cursor would not pick up standard formula symbols within a financial table
• Admin centre improvements now allow users to view the count of how many times a page template has been linked to a report master template.
   

• Various improvements to Standard Accounts. Users can now:
  • Add varying names to standard headers/accounts based on the entity type.
  • Add the ability to define MASTER matching rules that link to standard accounts and limit rules to entity types.

• Fixed an issue with the column width when exporting financial reports to Word and PDF.
  
• Fixed a bug where, on bulk asset disposal, the balancing journal is being calculated on the prior years WDV.
• Fixed a bug where the filter dates in the report columns changed upon saving.

December 2023 Release

New Features:

We are excited to introduce our new FYI Integration! The Active-FYI Integration allows users to seamlessly search and link documents from FYI directly within Active Workpapers, thus eliminating the need to switch between applications. Additionally, the integration enables users to export finished binders as Zip files directly to FYI, bypassing the manual process of downloading and uploading completed binders. This streamlined workflow saves time and minimises the likelihood of errors.

Watch the video below to see it in action.

Our comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to configure and utilise this integration effectively. Click here to access the article. 

Improvements & Bug Fixes

• Improvements to the Excel Import Process
  Exciting news for our users! The Excel Trial Balance import process is now more streamlined than ever. Enjoy an enhanced workflow with improved efficiency and precision. The update prompts users with step-by-step guidance, ensuring a smooth experience, and allows the upload of a predetermined format to guarantee the correct details are imported seamlessly. Click here to read our comprehensive 'how to' article.

  
  

  
• Improvements to the Binder Lockdown Process
  Completed binders can now be securely locked down, preventing users from creating or editing notes and queries within them. This feature is designed to safeguard the contents of your completed binders and ensure that no unauthorized changes can be made once the binder is finalized. 

  
  

  
• Enhanced workflow for binders connected to Active Ledger. When selecting your dataset, the column headers, start dates, and end dates will now be automatically prefilled for your convenience.
  
• Effortlessly transfer your journals from Excel by using the copy-and-paste feature. Simply select the desired cell for journal entry, press the 'ESC' key on your keyboard, and proceed to paste your journal. 
• Improvements to the General Ledger worksheet now include detailed information regarding a Transaction ID and Transaction Type to provide more context for transactions
• Improved workflow when creating a new binder to ensure Binders cannot be created with end dates that precede the start date
• Improved filtering options in the Add Record screen to ensure results are entity specific
• General Ledger workpaper records now feature enhanced convenience during data retrieval. When pulling a workpaper record, users will notice that the transaction type and ID columns are automatically pre-filled with relevant information instead of numerical IDs
• Improved messaging in a binder when a linked Active Ledger dataset has been deleted
• Improved error messaging now provides clear alerts to users regarding incompatibility issues when creating a reconciliation field that includes special characters. The updated messages offer actionable steps to guide users in resolving the error efficiently
• Fixed an issue where formulas in the 2022 C20 Trust Tax Reconciliation are not optimising on opening of the binder. This fix will update the formula when the binder is opened to avoid any #VALUE errors
• Fixed a bug where the manual journals in Xero were coming in with a different date in the general ledger worksheet when the user is working in a different time zone

New binder

Personal Tax Return (applicable to UK clients only)

We are excited to announce the release of our Personal Tax Return binder, designed to streamline and enhance the process of completing personal tax returns in the UK. This binder includes a summary sheet and 14 individual sheets, each designed to facilitate a seamless flow of information back to the summary in line with tax return labels. With a focus on user feedback, this release marks an advancement in simplifying and optimising the process of completing personal tax return workpapers in the UK, by enhancing the overall efficiency, accuracy, and user experience.

Template improvements

J51 GST Reconciliation

In response to valuable user feedback, we're excited to announce future enhancements to the 'J51 GST Reconciliation' template:

• Streamlined Reconciliation Field: To optimise screen real estate, we've reduced the size of the Reconciliation Field and relocated it to the header. This change effectively minimises white space, providing a more focused workspace.
• Enhanced User Guidance: We've listened to your requests for improved usability. Now, you'll find comprehensive instructions thoughtfully integrated throughout the template, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience.
• Enhanced Navigation: We've introduced additional buttons to enhance navigation within the template. These new buttons will help you move through the template with greater ease and efficiency.
• Introducing a Sales Sensibility Check: We've added a Sales Check function to help you effortlessly detect variances between ledger balances and ATO lodgements, including the functionality to incorporate GST-free sales. This feature empowers you to maintain precise financial records with confidence.
• Fixed a bug where the Accounting System amount was not being picked up for the September quarter after adding the Xero report.

C20 Tax Reconciliation

• In this release, we've added the functionality to incorporate SBE amounts to adjust the distribution amount accordingly.
• Furthermore, we've enhanced visibility by displaying the income tax expense amount, along with the new option to include dividends paid or distributions that exist in the profit and loss statement.
• We have deactivated previous versions of the template. If you're working on jobs from before 2023, you will still have access to the latest template version with accurate tax rates for that specific year. This update guarantees seamless data transfer from prior years, resolving the previously encountered rollover issues when transitioning from 2022 to 2023.

N80 Entertainment

• Introducing a prefilled Entertainment template. Import Xero transactions directly, saving you time and reducing manual data entry errors. Easily identify non-deductible amounts that automatically flow through to the Tax Reconciliation.

D03 Debit Loan Summary

• Reconciliation fields were added to all totals in the Debit Loan Calculator Summary, in order to enable their detection by other binders using the ‘external links’ function.

M03 Capital Gains

• Fixed a bug where the CGT gain discount was not calculating 50% when the entity type was an Individual.

November 2023 Release

New Features:

Internal notes, client queries, checklist items and navigation improvements in the Index 

With this enhancement, you can create and manage internal notes and client queries directly from the Index, simplifying the process of reviewing existing information or adding new ones. 

Use the Add Internal note option in Index (+) to add internal notes such as To do, File Note, Matter for Manager, Matter for Partner or Review Point* (The review point option appears only if you have the approver access).

Clicking on the Excel record will now open your Excel binder. If your binder is already open, the navigation will take you to the appropriate tab for easy viewing. 

Bulk Insert

We're thrilled to introduce a user-inspired upgrade: the capability to bulk accept recommendations and roll over records within binders. This enhancement is designed to improve efficiency by eliminating the need for individual acceptance of records, saving you precious time. Whether you're setting up a new binder or managing an existing one, this feature seamlessly integrates into your process. 

For new binders, it's part of the setup wizard; for existing ones, simply navigate to Settings & Tools. 

Email Notification

We are delighted to unveil a significant enhancement in Active Workpapers: the introduction of Email Notifications. This latest update empowers you to efficiently communicate binder/job statuses with your team, ensuring a seamless workflow. Whether it's notifying a reviewer about a binder ready for review or simply sharing the binder link with another team member, this feature promotes enhanced connectivity and productivity.

*Please note that these notifications will be dispatched from no-reply@businessfitness.com. To guarantee uninterrupted communication, we recommend coordinating with your IT team to whitelist this email address.

Review Mode

We're excited to introduce a redesigned review process based on valuable customer feedback, placing review actions at the forefront of the platform.

Watch our brief video walkthrough of Review mode to see it in action. 

Active Workpapers - Review Mode from Business Fitness on Vimeo.

Improvements & Bug Fixes

• 'Open Record Details' button and optimised record details screen
  We've introduced a dedicated icon for accessing record details in the Index. Simply click on it to open the enhanced record details screen. 
  
  
• Matters Screen Now Renamed to Notes & Queries
  In line with the improvements on the Index screen, the Matters screen is now renamed to the Notes & Queries screen. This screen will house all your internal notes and client queries. 

  
  

  
• Improvements to the Index when working with large columns of data. Using the horizontal scroll, ensure all information is visible as needed when working through your compliance jobs.
  
  
  
• Improved messaging to alert users that Class source connections have limitations when posting journals from Active back to the source.
• Enhanced Client Creation Experience: We've streamlined the process of creating new clients or client groups. Now, when you create a new client or client group, the client screen opens automatically, eliminating the need to search through the client listing to find your newly added client.
• Improved messaging for workpapers that got disconnected from their source file after the workpaper had successfully connected before.
• Fixed an issue with Xero accounts not being classified to the right category when the account type is ‘Direct Costs’. These will now be correctly auto-mapped to 'Cost of Sales'.
• Fixed a bug where merged QBO accounts were not pulling sub-ledger details into the trade debtors workpaper.
• Fixed an issue where formulas in the 2022 C20 Tax Reconciliation are not optimising on opening of the binder. This fix will update the formula when the binder is opened to avoid any #VALUE errors.
• Fixed a bug where flags change their colour in the Index screen upon PDF export of the binder.
• Fixed a bug where the reconciliation box disappears sporadically when linking to Active Ledger Accounts.
• Fixed a bug when creating a binder with a MYOB connection pulling in data for any date range that is not equal to 1 year.

Coming Soon

Deactivation of prior year C20 Tax Reconciliation templates

In November 2023, we will be deactivating previous versions of the C20 Tax Reconciliation template. If you're working on jobs from before 2023, you will still have access to the latest template version with accurate tax rates for that specific year. This update guarantees seamless data transfer from prior years, resolving the previously encountered rollover issues when transitioning from 2022 to 2023.

Improvements to the J51 GST Reconciliation template

In response to valuable user feedback, we're excited to announce future enhancements to the 'J51 BAS Reconciliation' template:

• Streamlined Reconciliation Field: To optimise screen real estate, we've reduced the size of the Reconciliation Field and relocated it to the header. This change effectively minimises white space, providing a more focused workspace.
• Enhanced User Guidance: We've listened to your requests for improved usability. Now, you'll find comprehensive instructions thoughtfully integrated throughout the template, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience.
• Enhanced Navigation: We've introduced additional buttons to enhance navigation within the template. These new buttons will help you move through the template with greater ease and efficiency.
• Introducing a Sales Sensibility Check: We've added a Sales Check function to help you effortlessly detect variances between ledger balances and ATO lodgements. This feature empowers you to maintain precise financial records with confidence.

We hope these updates will further streamline your workflow and make your experience with our product even more productive. As always, your feedback is essential in driving continuous improvement, so please don't hesitate to share your thoughts with us.

October 2023 Release

New Features:

Income Tax Automation (Beta)

We are excited to introduce our latest feature in Active Workpapers' automation series: Income Tax Automation (Beta)

The Income Tax Automation (Beta) will work through a series of steps to compare the ledger balance to the worksheet balance and journal the required values of Income Tax Expenses for the period. After the initial automation is completed, it will continue operating in the background and automatically make any necessary adjustments to the journal if there are changes to supporting worksheets or values.

Watch our brief video walkthrough of Income Tax Automation (Beta) to see its capabilities in action.

Active Workpapers - Income tax automation from Business Fitness on Vimeo.

Dive deeper into the feature's functionalities and best practices through our comprehensive guide: User Guide

Note: As this feature is currently in beta, your feedback and insights are invaluable to us. Your experience, suggestions and feedback will play a crucial role in refining and enhancing Income Tax Automation to meet your unique needs.

As with any beta feature, there might be occasional hiccups or issues, and we appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to refine and enhance the feature based on your input.

If you encounter any issues, have questions, or want to share your thoughts, please get in touch with us by clicking the help button and submitting a ticket. Your input is invaluable to us, and we're here to assist you every step of the way.

Improvements to the Loan Repayment Calculator and associated templates:

As discussed last month, a review of our loan-related templates was undertaken to streamline and eliminate any duplicate offerings. 

The summary of template changes are:

* Data from H24 will rollover into H11 or H13 as required.

H11 Chattel Mortgage Schedule

• Now available in 'Accounts and Tax' and 'Connected' starters.

H12 Loan Summary

• Used in the Loan Repayment Calculator starter only.
• Has been split into two summary sections – Chattel Mortgages and Hire Purchases.

H13 Hire Purchase Schedule New

• Created to distinguish between Hire Purchase loans and Chattel Mortgages. 
• Available in the Loan Repayment Calculator and as a standalone in 'Accounts and Tax' and 'Connected' starters.

The recommended workflow for multiple loans is:

• Use the Loan Repayment Calculator starter.
• Add as many H13 Hire Purchase Schedules and/or H11 Chattel Mortgage Schedules as required. 
• Data will automatically be summarised in H12 Loan Summary.

NOTE: If you still wish to utilise any of the templates that are marked for deactivation, download the relevant templates and upload them as worksheets for your firm. Refer to our support article Uploading a new or customised worksheet on how to do this. However, any functionality such as rollovers and data prefill will NO longer operate. 

Template Improvements and Bug Fixes:

C05 Dividends Paid and Franking Accounts

• Under the franking account closing balance, new fields have been added which calculate the maximum franked dividend and maximum dividend payable based on the company’s retained profits.

D01 Motor Vehicle Expenses

• Registration and insurance row has been split into separate expense items.

J05 Annual BAS

• Based on user feedback, J05 has been re-instated.

F20 Livestock

• Rounding has been adopted when calculating the average cost of livestock.

M03 Capital Gains

• The entity type requirement in the checklist has been removed and included in the main section of the template.
• The formula calculating discounted capital gain has been updated to include individual taxpayers.

M40 Car FBT

• The formula which notifies whether the log book is out of date has been amended in accordance with the required retention period.

N75 Superannuation

• The tolerance variance used to determine the reconciliation status has been amended from 2% to 0%.
• The opening balance reference has been updated to allow for manual entries.

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

• Enhanced User Interface for Handling Large Consolidated Datasets:

  Experience a streamlined interface for effortlessly managing extensive consolidated datasets. With our latest update, each data line now displays its corresponding source and entity information, providing you with complete transparency. Gain a comprehensive overview of your entity and dataset information on a single screen while navigating through large consolidated datasets. Moreover, easily sort datasets by choosing between Tree View or Flat View for added convenience.

  
  

  

  
  

• Improvements to Dataset Creation:
  We've refined the process of creating datasets with improved messaging. Now, users will receive alerts when attempting to create sources that already exist, ensuring a smoother and more efficient workflow. 

  
  

  
  In addition, we have improved the import process to ensure leading spaces in account codes and names are removed on upload
  
  
• You can now delete your saved report files as you work through your Reports module.

  
  

  
• We have fixed a bug in the journal screen where formulas and negative quantity values were not being recognised.
• Fixed a bug where an accounting policy name was changed in the Admin centre but this was not being reflected in the Financial Reports.
• Fixed a bug in the trial balance report where the column names did not align with the data within the respective columns.
  

September 2023 Release

New Features:

Binder Setup Wizard

Introducing a user-friendly set-up wizard based on customer feedback, streamlining the binder creation process in Active Workpapers. Say goodbye to confusion as the guided wizard seamlessly walks you through binder creation and data setup, ensuring a smooth transition and empowering you to maximize your productivity.

Watch the video below to see the Setup Wizard in action. 

Active Workpapers Binder Setup Wizard (updated) from Business Fitness on Vimeo.

Integration with Class (Beta)

We're thrilled to announce a long-awaited update that our customers have been asking for a native integration with Class! With this highly anticipated release, you can now connect to Class from Active Workpapers to pull the Trial balance and General Ledger details.

Note: When connecting to Class, due to current API limitations, we are unable to push journals from Active Workpapers into Class. As we continue to improve this, adjustment journals can be manually raised in Class to reflect the balance in Active Workpapers.

Index User Experience Improvements - Phase 2

We're excited to introduce Phase 2 of our Index screen redesign, driven by valuable customer feedback! This update improves navigation by introducing intuitive tabs and easy-to-use binder infographics, allowing you to effortlessly gauge the status of your binder at a glance. 

• Improved Navigation
  Experience instant access to your essential information the moment you open your binder, thanks to our enhanced tab layout. With this update, you can effortlessly toggle between the General and Trial Balance tabs, enabling you to concentrate on your binder's specific areas. 

  
  

  

• Binder Infographics
  Introducing a visual enhancement that puts actionable insights front and centre in your binder. Now, at the top of your binder, along with the binder status, you can effortlessly view infographics highlighting Outstanding Records and Unreconciled Records. With just a click, you can instantly navigate to these outstanding issues for a seamless and efficient workflow.
  
  

• Settings & Tools button
  All the fields and tools that were formerly on the 'Home' screen will now be centralised under the 'Settings & Tools' button, providing convenient and easy access to these resources.

• Improved supporting document visuals
  We've improved the way supporting documents are displayed, making it easy to see how many documents are linked to a record right on the Index page. When there are multiple documents present, we've also added a dropdown option that allows you to effortlessly preview these attached documents directly from the index.

  
  

  

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

• Based on Feedback, we have renamed the 'Review Centre' to ‘QA Centre’. The QA centre is a handy end-of-job sanity check tool where you can ensure comprehensive file completion by reviewing any outstanding items.
  
  
  
• We have listened to your feedback! You can now export your completed binders straight from the web. Use the Export PDF button in the QA Centre to download a zip folder of all your completed work to store in your third-party document management system.
  
  
  
• Improvements to the accounts screen to allow for easy custom header creation and account grouping. Use the right-click menu to create additional custom headers and groupings to organise client data. 
  
  
• Improvements to the general ledger view now let you see more details for any journals posted within Active. Using the right-click menu in your Index screen, see all account breakdown details as well as any adjustment journals posted without having to navigate away from this screen. 

• Added a mechanism to stop unrelated named ranges from being created when worksheets have been copied between binders.
• Improvements made to lags in syncing when working in the Excel Add-In task pane.
• Fixed a bug where binders would show an ‘already activated’ message on opening. This fix allows users to continue with the work.
• Added a fix to stop users from approving a record with outstanding matters.
• Fixed an error where bank accounts were not aligned in chronological order, incorrectly showing as unreconciled in the Index.
• Fixed a bug when importing a trial balance where duplicate accounts exist.
• Improved error warning when a journal pending export does not have an account ID. The new error now gives the user prompts to help troubleshoot and solve the issue.
• Fixed a bug in QBO when exporting journals back to the source to ensure journal dates in QBO align with Active. All journals from Active will be pushed back into QBO with the year-end as the journal date.

Binders and Templates

2023 Capital Gains Tax binder:

• Enhanced C28 SBE Aggregated Turnover with updated external hyperlinks.
• Introduced an additional row and associated summary total row for Adjustments to Consideration received in the J30 GST Margin Scheme.

2024 Company Debit Loan binder

• Updated the D08 UPE Repayment Calculator to align with 2024 benchmark interest rates.
• Improved the G31 Division 7A Calculator by:
  • Added a drop-down box for selecting the loan security.
  • Introduced an auto-calculate cell for Loan Remaining term.
  • Updated to reflect 2024 benchmark interest rates.

Content Improvements and Bug Fixes:

L05 General Ledger

• We have introduced an automatic import feature for GST amounts, making it easier than ever to manage your GST-related data.
• We have removed text wrap from the Contact Name column, enhancing the readability and presentation of your General Ledger.
• We have updated the reconciliation status to show "Reconcile" if there are amounts in the debit or credit columns and the balance is nil. 
• We have unlocked the General Notes cells.

C05 Franking Account

We have added additional line above the tax rate in dividends paid section to select whether company is a base rate entity.

FB10 Car FBT

We have included a journal for employee contribution including GST, to be able to eliminate the FBT component.

N75 Superannuation

We have introduced a new column (G) labelled 'Adjustments' within the template. This addition allows you to account for salary sacrifice arrangements, providing you with a more comprehensive and accurate analysis of your data.

N80 Wages

Fixed bug where the Wages Expense was not being picked up in the reconciliation field. 

Introducing future improvements to the Loan Repayment Calculator

We are currently in the process of reviewing our collection of loan-related templates to streamline and eliminate any duplicate offerings. We anticipate unveiling the updated suite by the end of October 2023.

The summary of template changes are:

H12 Loan Summary

• Split into two summary sections – Chattel mortgage and Hire Purchase.
• Reconciliation fields on totals can be used as “external links”.

H13 Hire Purchase Schedule New

• Created to distinguish between Hire Purchase loans and Chattel Mortgages. 
• Will be available in the Loan Repayment Calculator and as a standalone in Accounts and Tax.

The recommended workflow for multiple loans is:

• Use the Loan Repayment Calculator binder
• Add as many H13 Hire Purchase Schedules or H11 Chattel Mortgage Schedules as required
• Data will automatically be summarised in H12 Loan Summary
• The totals contain reconciliation fields that can be used as 'external links' in other binders.

New Features:

Improved Cashflow Work Area

Experience a more streamlined cashflow statement preparation process with our latest update. Our enhanced cashflow work area now offers a dynamic column view, allowing you to effortlessly make and track the impact of changes without needing to generate reports. Plus, you can customize labels, headings, and cashflow categories for a tailored presentation in your financials.

Improvements to the Asset Module

• Our latest import options make it a breeze to auto-balance your general asset pool when bulk-loading assets. 

  
  

  

• Introducing the 'Post Automated Journals' button within the Assets area for seamless posting directly from the Assets interface, eliminating the need to access the dataset separately.
   
• You can now post automated disposal journals through the 'Post Automated Journals' button. Set up the accounts for cost, depreciation and disposal within the asset group settings to post values to the right accounts. 

  
  

  

• In the Full Summary report, taxation columns now feature grey highlighted cells for better clarity. All Assets reports now include fixed headers to ensure you never lose track of your data while scrolling. Additionally, we've added expand/collapse all options to Asset reports, and your ordering preferences in the assets list view will now be remembered from session to session, providing a more personalized and efficient workflow. 

  
  

  

Export to CSV/Excel

You can now export into Excel or CSV directly from the Accounts screen. Our export feature allows you to generate CSV/Excel files that include account balances, but also any relevant groupings, making data management more comprehensive and convenient. 

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

• You can now leverage the capability to reference accounting note disclosures in your financial reports directly to the relevant accounting standards. Upon completion, you can effortlessly generate an export that provides a handy compilation of all referenced note disclosures for your convenience.
  
  
  
• Improved wording to alert users when creating multiple Excel data sources when data is coming from the same system. This will help avoid duplicating of datasets 

  
  

  

• We have enhanced the alert messaging system for generating financial reports to promptly notify users of discrepancies found in the Statement of Retained Earnings 

  
  

  

• Fixed a bug where copying and pasting text fields into the report editor was causing errors in downloading a report into a Word/Excel/PDF format
• Fixed a bug when posting journals that include negative quantity values that would cause the journal to clear out
• Fixed a bug where the recommendations in the Accounts screen would disappear and require refreshing the screen to bring them back
• Resolved a bug to enhance the viewing experience on the Accounts screen, where longer lines of text were not properly concatenated

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

Improved Client Screen

We're excited to announce an enhanced Client screen layout designed to provide users with a comprehensive view of all client-related information. Now, at a glance, you can access key details such as client group, entity types, and trading name (where applicable).
Note: Please note that the office column will be visible only if you are using a multi-office setup and have permission to access more than one office.

• In the Active Platform, we've made a modification to hide the underlying Excel binder file from both search queries and the document tabs. This alteration is aimed at preventing inadvertent deletion of the underlying Excel binder file by users. Additionally, it will streamline the document view by excluding the binder Excel file from search results when users search for source documents, resulting in a more organized and efficient user experience.
• When marking up and commenting on source documents using the PDF Editor, the commenter's name will now automatically match the current user. In the comment history, you'll see the respective user names of those who left comments accurately reflected.
• In the binder listing view, the ‘show completed’ button works as expected.

July 2023 Release

New Features:

Index User Experience Improvements - Phase 1

We've heard your feedback and are thrilled to announce the below-listed Index user experience improvements available in your Active Workpapers! 

Account Classification 

Navigate through your trial balance with ease, using our tab system to swiftly switch between account classes. 

Easy Access To Filters & Settings

The highlighted filters and settings are now easily accessible.

Visual Improvements

We have also introduced an improved look and feel of the status icons across your binder. Always know where your work is up to with clearer status icons to help you navigate through your workflow. 

Improved Display of Balances

We have improved the view of credit accounts by now showing these within brackets. Ensure easy identification between debits and credits when working through your Index.

With this update, you can expect a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, allowing you to effortlessly access and manage your information, setting the stage for even more exciting enhancements in the upcoming phases. 

Improvements to Record and Document Adding

We have listened to your feedback and have introduced a simpler way to add records and documents into your Index. Utilise our new Add Record modal to drag and drop multiple supporting documents and PDFs into your binder with minimal clicking.

Improved Sheet Navigation

Have all key information and documentation presented in one screen when working in your Excel binder with our new Record screen. Save time now with the new record screen which will now tie into the worksheet tab you’re working in and bring you all related information and supporting documentation in one screen to minimise navigating between different panes and tabs.

Expanding the ATO Integration to bring in Fuel Tax Credit Information

We have listened to your feedback! You can now use our ATO Integration to pull more data into your BAS Lodgements workpaper with Fuel Tax Credits data now pre-populating into your worksheets along with the data you are already accustomed to.

• Learn how to set up your ATO connection here.
• Learn how to use the 'J50 BAS Lodgements' template here.

Import Prior Year from Smart Workpapers

Expanding our Import Prior Year function, users can now rollover their Smart Workpapers files into Active Workpapers binders.

Read the knowledge article to learn more: How do I use the 'Import Prior Year' functionality?

New Content

In response to the recent tax legislation amendment (where small businesses are now eligible to claim a 'bonus' tax deduction equal to 20% of qualifying expenditure), we have released two templates to assist with your 30 June 2023 preparation. 

1. C40 Technology Investment Boost
2. C45 Skills and Training Boost

These two templates then prefill the relevant eligible deductions areas in the ‘C20 Tax Reconciliation’ worksheet.

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

• Improved error handling where a balance cannot be found in a calculation
• Improved error handling when there is an error on binder checkout
• Fixed a bug in the matters screen to avoid infinite load time
  
• Fixed a bug where archived or unused accounts were being incorrectly incorporated within worksheet calculations
• Fixed a bug that causes errors in the review centre when bulk editing matters
• Fixed a bug that cleared all recommendations within an account group when one recommendation had been declined
• Fixed an issue where the Outstanding Issues table looses data when changes are made in the Review Centre
• C05 Dividends & Franking Account Template- Added monthly PAYG instalments fields
• C05 Dividends & Franking Account Template - Added running balance column to keep track of running franking credit balance
• Fixed a bug in C05 Dividends & Franking Account Template so that tax payments are now prefilling as credit transactions

June 2023 Release

New Features:

Wages automation

Introducing Wages automation - one of the first in our automation series. Add the 'N80 Wages' worksheet into your Index which will initiate the extraction of pertinent data from your client's accounting file and the ATO lodged data. Our behind-the-scenes automation diligently identifies all wage accounts and seamlessly incorporates them into the reconciliation process, relieving you of concerns about overlooking essential accounts. Say farewell to the anxiety of missing key accounts as this feature takes care of it effortlessly.

Watch the Wages Automation in action here.

Or read the 'how to' article here.

Import Prior Year

Ready to kick off your jobs for 2023? Introducing the "Import Prior Year" feature, which lets you import data from the previous year's Active Workpaper binder! With this function, effortlessly set up your new year binder in seconds, saving valuable time and effort. Retain your content and settings while upgrading to the latest version, ensuring continuity and utilising compliant, consistent templates. 

Read the knowledge article to learn more: How do I use the 'Import Prior Year' functionality?

Improved General Ledger functionality

We hope that you have been enjoying our new 'GL Detail' template that prepopulates and reconciles the balance for you. You can now quickly add the same template when viewing the data from the Index. 

We have also added the journal type when viewing the general ledger of an account.

Basic mathematical formulae in journals

We are pleased to introduce basic equation support in accounting journals, aimed at saving time and reducing human error in mathematical calculations. This update saves time by eliminating the need for manual calculations while ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Note: This great functionality is also available in Active Ledger.

PDF annotation

This release introduces improvements to the PDF document editing feature by adding annotation capabilities, allowing you to highlight, underline, add notes, and draw shapes directly on the PDF document.

New Content:

In the previous month, we shared exciting news about our template redesign project. This month, we're thrilled to continue the journey by bringing you more of your favourites. We genuinely appreciate all the feedback you've provided so far, and we encourage you to keep it coming!

• C05 Franking Accounts
• F05 Trade Debtors
• F10 Bank
• H05 Trade Creditors
• N75 Superannuation - upgraded to include the superannuation liability ('H08 Superannuation Liability' will be deactivated)

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

• Added an error warning detailing the issue if there is a date range discrepancy between an Active Ledger dataset and a Column when selecting data.
• In the Review Centre, when a workpaper record uses a different tolerance than the binder tolerance it will be displayed in the Tolerances grid. It is no longer considered a "Warning", it is green and considered information instead.
• Fixed a bug where you weren't being directed to your user profile when selecting 'Profile' from the user dropdown. 
• Added an option to recommend/exclude worksheet records based on if the account is a header.
• You can now select to enable or disable editing of the ABN Branch number field when selecting XPM locks. The correct value saves if it was changed.
• Improved the process of raising and editing journals when working in a binder.
• Fixed a bug where a binder with no source, but which still has workpaper records/matters/documents could not be exported. 

New Features:

Customising cashflow labels

We are excited to introduce a new feature that allows you to have complete control over your cashflow statement customisation. With this update, you now have the ability to create and customise cashflow categories, cashflow lines, and reconciliations according to your specific needs. Enjoy flexibility and control as you manage your cashflow with ease.

Trial Balance page

This allows you to generate financial reports with your clients' trial balance integrated into the reports. By adding a new page and selecting the Trial Balance format, you can seamlessly export the trial balance data into your preferred financial report format. This feature streamlines the reporting process, enhances accuracy, and eliminates the need for manual data entry or reconciliation. 

Primary production

The latest update introduces a new feature for automated primary production journals. You now have the ability to disable these journals, allowing you to configure accounts without having the automation feature active. This is particularly helpful when dealing with finalised balances from previous years that require no further modifications.

Improvements:

• When using Mozilla Firefox, users will now see the same ordered listing of entity types as shown in other browsers when editing a client/client group.
• Dataset Trial Balance report now sorts correctly by class as a default in all views and can be custom sorted by clicking on custom headers.

May 2023 Release

New Integrations:

ATO

We are excited to announce our integration with the ATO. Simply insert our new J50 BAS Lodgements template into your binder and it will auto-populate with all the relevant BAS data lodged for the period. No more logging into the ATO portal to manually enter data into worksheets. Then sit back and let your data flow through to other relevant worksheets such as Wages, Provision for Income Tax and our new GST Reconciliation. Imagine the time you will save!

Learn how to set up your ATO connection here.

Learn how to use the 'J50 BAS Lodgements' template here.

Active Workpapers + QBO Integration

Say goodbye to the hassle of importing your QBO Trial Balance via an Excel import. We are releasing our direct connection with QuickBooks Online. Now, effortlessly connect and load your source data straight from QBO into your binders, saving you valuable time and effort. 

But that's not all, you can now effortlessly raise journals in Active and seamlessly push them back into your client's QBO file. Streamline your workflow and eliminate unnecessary steps with our intuitive and efficient tools.

*Stay tuned for SMSF connections coming soon.

New Features:

Export Active Workpapers to PDF

We've added the ability to effortlessly download binders and all related support documentation as a convenient PDF zip file. Now, you can easily save and store everything you need in your firm's document manager for quick and organised access. Simply download a comprehensive PDF zip file containing the Index, worksheets, and associated supporting documents, ensuring that nothing is left behind. Experience a new level of convenience and efficiency as you say goodbye to scattered files and welcome a seamless, all-in-one solution. 

To access the export functionality, open your binder in desktop Excel. In the Workpapers task pane, click on the PDF Export button on the Home screen. The button can also be found in the Review Centre.

Note: You will need our Active Documents module to access this feature.

New Content:

We've listened to your feedback and incorporated valuable improvements into our templates. With enhanced usability and intuitive interfaces, you'll find navigating and utilising these templates a breeze. What sets our templates apart is the automation we're integrating. Say goodbye to tedious data entry and hello to automated precision.

New templates:

• J50 - BAS Lodgements
• J51 - GST Reconciliation
• C12 - Deferred Tax

Upgraded templates:

• C20 - Tax Reconciliation
• H35 - Provisions - Tax
• N80 - Wages
• L05 - General Ledger Detail

Stay tuned for regular releases of our improved templated redesign - and please provide feedback using the feedback button within the above templates.

Improvements and Bug Fixes:

• Firms can now deactivate the Business Fitness worksheet templates in the Admin Centre and prioritise their firm templates.
• Intuitive login experience when working in the desktop Excel binder.
• Users can now see their tolerance levels against each record/account in the Index sheet in their binder.

• Various content improvements including:
  • changing the wording in worksheets from 'Go to Index' to 'Show Record'
  • updated content in formulas to fix an error on importing of custom templates
  • updated display of reconciliation fields when working in a dual pane view
  • improved view of record links in worksheets

New Feature:

Bulk Asset Disposal 

Rev up your asset disposal process with our latest feature: Bulk Disposal! Say goodbye to the tedious task of individually disposing of assets in our Assets module. Now, with just a few clicks, you can swiftly select and dispose of assets by asset group, streamlining the entire process. Don't waste any more time on manual asset disposal - try out our Bulk Dispose functionality today!

Learn how to do this here.

Bug Fix:

• Fixed an issue where the accounts screen would fail to load if the user had previously selected the balance preview for a now-deleted dataset.

New Feature:

Tax Agents field

Admins are now able to assign Tax Agent numbers. This functionality is part of our ATO integration release in Active Workpapers (see above).

Learn how to do this here.

Bug Fixes and Improvements:

• Our improved redesign ensures that every interaction feels natural and user-friendly. With a clean and modern interface, you'll have no trouble finding your way around. Seamlessly retrace your steps, revisit previous tasks, and effortlessly jump between different sections of your client.

• The client screen now displays all clients. Previously this was limited to 50 clients.
• Fixed an issue where users couldn't edit an Office or Team while creating a new user in the system.