Getting Started

Introduction

Now it's time to see how Jewel actually works! We hope you will find that Jewel makes your job as church treasurer easier, and perhaps even fun! Before we get into the actual processes you will be performing, let's find out what to expect Jewel to look like and how to find your way around. Also in this introduction, we will introduce you to some features you will find throughout the program to make your work easier.

How to Get Help

Perhaps the most important question many of you may have at this point is, "So how do I get HELP?" You actually have lots of options.

Jewel Wiki

Congratulations! You've already found the most up-to-the-minute Jewel helps. The Jewel Wiki contains the updated version of the Jewel Handbook (an older version is available under Help in the Jewel program). This Handbook, and its accompanying articles, are meant to be a guide both as you are first learning Jewel, as well as later on if you need to reference back or get further information.

Jewel Helps

The easiest-to-access helps will be those built in to the Jewel program, reached by simply press F1 on your keyboard. This will take you to the helps applicable to whichever screen you happen to be on. For example, if you need further information about writing a check, simply go to Write Checks and hit F1. A new window will open, giving you detailed help about writing checks. The second way to access Help is by clicking the Help menu item on the Jewel Main Screen. Choosing either the Contents or the Index options will open up the help window where you can use the Table of Contents, Index, or Search to find the topic you need help with.

Tips

As you begin using Jewel, you will notice small dialog boxes with "Tips" popping up at various times. Pay special attention to each of these - at least the first time you see it! These dialog boxes give you tips regarding the particular step you are on in the process. Once you have read a Tip and know you will not need it again, click the box next to "Don't show this Tip again" located towards the bottom of the Tip dialog box. Again, don't ignore these tips - they will save you a lot of time in the long run!

Auditor/Tech Support

Another way for you to get help is through your conference auditor or, if your conference has contracted with us for tech support, directly from Jewel. Please be sure to check this handbook for answers to your question BEFORE calling your auditor/tech support. This will save time both for you and your support. You can contact Jewel's tech support via phone at 352-326-0093 (English) or 352-535-0093 (Spanish), or via email (both languages) at support@jewelsda.com. Conference contact information can usually be found on the website on the Auditing or Treasury department page.

Navigation within Jewel

Menu Bar

This menu is located across the very top of the window, with the items File, Offerings, Accounting, Maintenance, and Help. Click on each of these menus and notice the drop-down menus with many more options available to you. You can use these menus to access everything you need in Jewel.

Quick Links

The processes you will be using the most, NextStep, Write Checks, Transfer Funds, Reconcile, and Reports & Graphs, are listed in the middle of Jewel's Home Screen. They have been placed here for quick and easy access. Simply click, and the desired screen will open.

The NextStep button at the top of this list is one of the features that sets Jewel apart from other accounting software. This button will guide you through the entire accounting process - all the way from entering offerings to closing out the year. The item listed beside NextStep will change according to where you are in the accounting process - reminding you of where you left off and what your next step is.

General Use

Following is an explanation of various buttons and icons you will be seeing throughout Jewel:

This button is located in the top right corner of virtually every screen in Jewel. Click this button either when you are through viewing the screen (such as a Tip) or when you are finished entering your data (i.e. Write Checks, Contribution Entry). Clicking OK indicates that you are done with a particular process and would like to save the changes you have made. Clicking OK on a NextStep process will let the NextStep move to the next process in the accounting cycle.

Use this button to cancel the process you are working on. But be careful! Only click this button if you intend to lose the information you have just keyed in (the exception to this is the Bank Reconciliation, which gives an option to save your work when cancelling). This button is useful if you have perhaps entered something incorrectly and just want to start over. When you click Cancel on a NextStep process, that process will remain at the NextStep until you have completed it and clicked OK.

Click this button to close the window you are in, such as on a reports screen. You will also see the Close button in Contribution Entry. Note that your changes will NOT be lost by clicking Close. The NextStep button will bring you right back to the envelope where you left off.

Click this button to print the report, check, or any other screen you would like to print. Please make sure your printer is plugged in and with the appropriate paper loaded in the printer before clicking this button. On the reports screens, you may also select how many copies of the report you would like to print.

You will find this symbol located to the right of data entry fields, such as in the Donor Name box in Contribution Entry. This symbol is a quick way to add a new name or account, depending on which field it is located on. Simply click the (+) button and you will be taken to either Edit Names or Edit Accounts, where you can add a new name or account. When you close the Edit Names/Accounts screen, you will be taken right back to where you were when you clicked the (+).

NOTE: Instead of clicking (+), you may also type the full new name or account directly in the text box and press ENTER on the keyboard to get to Edit Names/Accounts.

This symbol is located beside fields for the selection of a name or account. Clicking on the down arrow will open a drop down menu showing all of the names or accounts to choose from. When looking at the drop down menus for names and accounts, you will notice that they are listed both with and without the ID number attached. This is intentional, so that you can search by either ID number or alphabetically, depending on which is more convenient.

NOTE: Instead of using the down arrow, you may just begin typing the ID number, name, or account in the text box. As you type, the program will find matches for what you are keying in. When the desired name/account appears, click Enter. Use whichever method is convenient for you.