ERETES is an expert system: it guides the user throughout the whole the compilation process of his accounts and provides assistance at each stage of the work.
This guidance is based on four tools:
Distribution of tasks
According to the classifications set up by the user, ERETES compiles a list of tasks to be completed to compile the accounts: a supply/use balance for each product, a production account and generation of income account for each industry, a from-whom-to-whom matrix for each transaction, a loading for each source.
The database administrator will then divide all these tasks between the members of the accounting team: everyone knows what he has to do.
Log (or checklist)
The breakdown of the work is displayed on the “Log” in the chronological order of its completion. Each basic task is included, showing the name of the accountant responsible for it and its state of progress: i.e. initial, started, checked.
Each time a task is completed, the accountant is invited to update the corresponding element of the Log (or checklist).
(see screen copy)
Hypertext help
If an accountant faces difficulties during his work, he can call Hypertext help. He will be asked to choose the particular point on which he needs information: the table on which he is working, the transaction or valuation mode of the cell where he is located, the sector concerned, etc. This help as two components:
- The national accounts methodology written by Michel Séruzier and updated by Charlotte Schiltz
- The system operation written by the IT developers
Notepad
If the accountant wishes to keep a note justifying his reconciliations, he can use the Notepad. This tool will propose a space to note what he wants, and will record it in the database. The context in which the note is created (product, industry, transaction, sector, etc.) is also recorded. A search tool then enables easy recovery of all the notes relating to a given criterion.