Why do I need to submit my annual financial accountability reports?

Submission of annual financial accountability reports is a requirement under the NSW Department of Education's Grant Programs Terms and Conditions.

By which date do I need to complete my financial accountabilities?

Financial accountabilities released on Wednesday 14 June 2023 must be completed by Friday 28 July 2023.

How do I know if I need to complete my online financial accountability reports?

An email notification is always sent to the primary contact of each service provider to advise that the statement has been added in the Early Childhood Contract Management System (ECCMS) and is ready for completion.

To review or update the contact details for your provider, please log in to ECCMS and select the Main Details tab under the Service Provider menu item.

Do I have to complete my financial accountabilities online?

Yes. All financial accountabilities must be submitted via ECCMS.

Do I need a myGovID to complete my financial accountability?

Yes. Financial accountability is completed through ECCMS. To access ECCMS, you will need a myGovID and be linked to the provider in RAM. Read step-by-step instructions on how to set this up.

How do I complete my financial accountability in ECCMS excluding Start Strong Long Day Care (LDC)?

• Financial accountability can be accessed from the To Do list tab or in the ECCMS left-hand menu by clicking Funding Specification (Start Strong Free Preschool and Capital Works Financial accountabilities can be accessed directly from the bottom ECCMS left-hand menu).
• Locate and click the financial accountability that corresponds with the funding you have received.
• Click the Accountability tab.
• Locate the correct Financial Year, and then under the Accountability tab, click the Financial hyperlink, which opens the financial accountability to be completed.

How do I complete my Start Strong Long Day Care financial accountability in ECCMS?

• Financial accountability can be accessed from the To Do list tab or in the ECCMS left-hand menu by clicking Funding Specification.
• Locate and click the financial accountability that corresponds with the funding you have received.
• Click the Accountability tab.
• Locate the correct Financial Year, and then under the Accountability tab, click the Financial hyperlink, which opens the financial accountability to be completed.
• The accountability displays the annual funding amount received in the Total Income field (GST exclusive).
• The Expenditure section now has three separate line items for reporting how the funding was spent.
• Enter the expenditure amount for the relevant line item (GST exclusive).
• Surplus: Form will automatically report any Unexpended Funds as a surplus. If you have any surplus ECE grant funds, these must be returned to the department. The department will contact you to discuss next steps.
• Add supporting information to how funds were spent in the Additional Information section (limited to 200 characters maximum).
• Once completed click Save. The status of the financial accountability will remain as Draft.
• Click Preview. You can download your financial accountability in PDF Format. The status of the financial accountability remains as Draft.
• When you are sure all numbers are correct, you can then review the statement of acknowledgement and select the Accept check box. Click Submit. A confirmation and information message will display.
• Click OK. The status of the financial accountability will change to Submitted.

The Accountability Return Guide can assist you to complete this online. If you require further details on how to complete your financial reporting requirements online via the Early Childhood Contract Management System, please see pages 74 to 87 of the ECCMS Service Provider Guide (PDF, 6.94MB).

(Please note: when a financial accountability is added in ECCMS, it has a status of Draft. After the statement is submitted, its status will change to Submitted).