Overview
The Automated Budget and Evaluation System of Texas (ABEST) is a cloudbased platform created to streamline the budgeting, performancemeasurement, and reporting processes for state agencies, local governments, and education districts. Launched in 2022 by the Texas Comptrollers Office in partnership with the Office of the Governor, ABEST replaces the legacy spreadsheetdriven workflow with a unified, datarich environment that supports realtime analytics and transparent decisionmaking.
ABEST is designed around three core objectives:
- Accuracy: Reduce manual entry errors by integrating with existing financial systems.
- Speed: Accelerate the annual budgeting cycle from months to weeks.
- Accountability: Provide dashboards that link budget allocations directly to performance outcomes.
Key Features
ABEST offers a suite of tools that cover every phase of the fiscal planning process.
| Feature | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Centralized Data Repository | All financial, staffing, and program data are stored in a single, secure database. | Eliminates duplicate data entry and ensures consistency across agencies. |
| Interactive Budget Builder | Draganddrop interface for creating lineitem budgets with builtin validation rules. | Reduces budgeting time by up to 40%. |
| Performance Metrics Dashboard | Customizable visualizations that tie expenditures to key performance indicators (KPIs). | Improves transparency and helps leaders assess program effectiveness. |
| Scenario Modeling | Run whatif simulations for revenue changes, policy shifts, or emergency funding. | Supports datadriven decision making under uncertainty. |
| Automated Reporting Engine | Generate statutory reports (e.g., OMB, Legislative Budget Board) with a single click. | Ensures compliance and reduces administrative workload. |
| RoleBased Access Control | Granular permissions limit data view/edit rights to approved users. | Protects sensitive fiscal information while enabling collaboration. |
Benefits for Stakeholders
State Agencies gain a unified platform that connects budgeting with outcome measurement, helping them justify funding requests and demonstrate results to the legislature.
Local Governments can align citywide spending with community goals, such as public safety or infrastructure maintenance, while staying compliant with state mandates.
Education Districts receive tools to track perpupil spending, correlate resources with academic achievement, and respond quickly to enrollment fluctuations.
ABEST has already saved participating entities an estimated $12million in administrative costs during its first two years of operation.
How It Works A StepbyStep Walkthrough
- Data Integration Existing ERP systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, SAP) push financial and HR data to ABEST through secure APIs.
- Budget Drafting Users build the fiscal year draft using the Budget Builder, supported by prepopulated historical trends.
- Validation & Review Automated rules flag inconsistencies; supervisors conduct a multilevel review within the platform.
- Performance Linking Program managers attach relevant KPIs to each line item, creating a living link between dollars and outcomes.
- Scenario Planning Decision makers explore alternate revenue or policy scenarios and instantly see budget impacts.
- Approval & Publication Once approved, the final budget is published to the public portal and feeds into the states financial reporting system.
- Continuous Monitoring Throughout the year, dashboards update in real time, allowing for midyear adjustments and performance tracking.
Implementation Steps for New Users
Adopting ABEST follows a proven fivephase methodology:
- Discovery Conduct workshops to map current processes, data sources, and stakeholder needs.
- Configuration Tailor the systems chart of accounts, KPI library, and workflow rules to the organization.
- Data Migration Cleanse and load legacy data; run parallel testing to confirm accuracy.
- Training Provide rolebased training sessions, elearning modules, and a sandbox environment for practice.
- GoLive & Support Launch the system, monitor adoption, and provide ongoing technical assistance.
Most agencies complete the full rollout within 90days, with minimal disruption to ongoing fiscal activities.
Learn More or Request a Demo
If you represent a state agency, local government, or school district and would like to explore how ABEST can transform your budgeting process, please reach out. Our team is ready to schedule a personalized demonstration and discuss pricing options.
Contact the ABEST Team
