Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the formatting of data values that may be arbitrary or indeterminate collected from a plurality of sources are provided. In one embodiment, a centralized web application is accessed by an administrative user to create and distribute a standardized chart of accounts for normalization, collection, and storage of data from units associated with the multi-unit organization. The stored standardized chart of accounts data is selectively identified, filtered, anonymized, excluded/hidden from view, manipulated and/or other various calculations are performed in order to carry out data analyses and other operations. Such apparatus and methods enable abstraction of useful information from the collected and stored chart of accounts data across a range of units having similar and varying characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the analysis, manipulation formatting, templating, styling and/or publishing of data collected from a plurality of sources are provided. In one embodiment, a centralized web application is accessed by an administrative user to create and distribute a standardized chart of accounts for normalization, collection, and storage of data from units associated with the multi-unit organization. The stored standardized chart of accounts data is selectively identified, filtered, anonymized, excluded/hidden from view, manipulated and/or other various calculations are performed in order to carry out data analyses and other operations. Such apparatus and methods enable abstraction of useful information from the collected and stored chart of accounts data across a range of units having similar and varying characteristics. Methods and apparatus for generation of a stylized reporting structure for data that is, for example, arbitrary or indeterminate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of mapping accounts from a plurality of accounting files to a set of standard accounts. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying an account type of a first account having a first account name, mapping the first account to a first one of a plurality of sub accounts of the account type, and combining an amount of the first account with an amount in the first one of the sub accounts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for normalizing data, such as e.g., charts of accounts, across a plurality of entities are provided. In one embodiment, a centralized web application is accessed by an administrative user. A standardized chart of accounts (SCoA) is generated or accessed within the web application. When a financial data file from a remote user is received, a chart of accounts (CoA) is generated for the received financial data file. The SCoA and CoA are displayed to the remote user. The generated CoA is normalized to the SCoA by aligning data fields between the charts of accounts and prompting the remote user to map unaligned fields. The financial data file is modified to match the SCoA based on the normalized CoA.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of aggregating data from a plurality of QuickBooks (QB) files that may be in physically separate locations, and having at least one account name in common. In one embodiment, the method includes, assigning a different parent account identification (ID) number to each differently named parent account. The method includes creating an entry in a hash table for each parent account ID, the contents of the entry being a collection of rows including a row for each different sub account of the parent account, wherein data for multiple instances of like named parent accounts are aggregated, the key of the entry in the hash table being the parent account ID.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of aggregating data from a plurality of QuickBooks (QB) files that may be in physically separate locations, and having at least one account name in common. In one embodiment, the method includes, assigning a different parent account identification (ID) number to each differently named parent account. The method includes creating an entry in a hash table for each parent account ID, the contents of the entry being a collection of rows including a row for each different sub account of the parent account, wherein data for multiple instances of like named parent accounts are aggregated, the key of the entry in the hash table being the parent account ID.