Sample Project Summaries

Exceptions Report Resolution. KEB conducted a review and analysis of processing requirements and outcomes for the system employers use for quarterly reporting under unemployment insurance laws. The purpose of this review and analysis was to recommend ways to improve processing efficiency and lower processing costs. The review focused on the large number of reports (termed “exception” reports) received each quarter requiring special handling and additional effort which increased processing costs. The project resulted in a 60% reduction in the number of exception reports, annualized savings of nearly $400,000 in lost interest earnings, annualized savings of nearly $100,000 in outside bank charges and other processing cost reductions.

Organizational Analysis and Service Assessment: KEB assisted a newly-created state human service agency in fully integrating the functions of six previously independent state agencies to become the largest agency in the state, with over 20,000 employees providing services to 1.8 million clients. KEB developed a comprehensive plan which identified major objectives, required tasks, responsible parties and related timelines for integrating the following key administrative functions and workforces from six agencies into one: management information systems, agency budget, fiscal operations, human resources and labor relations, and contracts and procurement.

University Reimbursements Review. KEB conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of the twelve public universities in Illinois to determine the extent to which they fulfill their obligations to submit employer-share reimbursement and other payments under the program of health and life benefits for State employees. In this project, KEB developed a standard and comprehensive review protocol and related review instruments for use at each of the twelve universities. The net positive impact on reimbursements resulting from the approach and analysis we undertook exceeded $2.0 million in the first year alone.

Administrative Practices Assessment of Workers Compensation Programs. KEB completed a multi-year contract with a state agency to conduct periodic independent reviews of the Workers Compensation programs in each of the state agencies with delegated authority to manage their own programs. Under this contract, KEB conducted an in-depth review of each agency’s administrative practices, operations and program outcomes to assess compliance with the Workers Compensation Act and the administrative requirements of the governing agency.

Impact Analysis of Proposed Regulatory Change. KEB completed a multi-year project for a state agency to assess the financial and operational impact of a proposed change in state regulatory requirements. KEB reviewed the processing standards and methodology of some of the nation’s largest companies in this industry sector, assessed results and prepared recommendations for changes to the proposal that would have required comprehensive changes in the processing methodologies and systems within this industry.

Day Care Regulatory Assessment. KEB assessed and proposed a plan to restructure the process used by a state agency to monitor nearly 13,000 licensed day care facilities. In partnership with a national research organization, KEB conducted extensive analysis of current day care regulations and current compliance with those regulations. KEB also prepared streamlined tools for program monitors to regularly assess this compliance, and more quickly identify violations that pose immediate threats to the health and safety of children.

Assessment and Revision of Procedures to Account for Foreign Currency Transactions. Each foreign office has an imprest account in a pre-established amount. Imprest accounts are used to pay expenses required to support the day-to-day office operations using foreign currency. During recent efforts to institute procedures to better track currency fluctuations in these imprest accounts, it became apparent that new administrative and accounting procedures needed to be developed that extended well beyond the maintenance of imprest accounts. These new procedures standardized current practices among foreign offices, reduced redundancies and improved efficiencies in foreign office accounting procedures.