Basic Electronic Reporting Tool (BERT)
Updated February 17, 2011

About BERT
System requirements
Frequently asked questions
Ten steps to BERT success
BERT User Guide
Instructions for downloading BERT
DOWNLOAD: BERT 2.1b
DOWNLOAD: Access Runtime

About BERT

Originally released in April 2007, and updated in June 2008, August 2009, March 2010, and February 2011, our Basic Electronic Reporting Tool (BERT) is designed to provide all school districts with an easy-to-use retirement deduction reporting tool that requires less data entry, features user-friendly input screens and is fully compliant with our employer reporting requirements (807 CMR 5.00).

Using the latest release of BERT, you—school district payroll officials—can:

• create your monthly deduction report database right on your desktop computer,
• create, change and delete employees’ records as needed,
• test your output file for common reporting errors and correct them BEFORE you submit your report to the MTRS, and
• export your monthly deduction report to your local hard drive, diskette, CD and/or other media.

You will still need to send us your file via MyTRS, along with your payment, which you can also submit using MyTRS.

System requirements

BERT 2.1b is a Microsoft Access application. In order to run BERT, you must either have Microsoft Access Runtime or Microsoft Access 2000 or later, installed on your PC. Information on obtaining and downloading Access Runtime for free are located in section 2.2. [Note to Macintosh users: Since MS Access is not available in a Mac-compatible version; you will not be able to use BERT unless you have both the PC-version of Access Runtime and Virtual PC installed on your Mac.]

Frequently asked questions

What has changed from BERT 2.1a to BERT 2.1b?
BERT 2.1b allows you to enter dates in the year 2011.

We are currently using BERT 2.1a successfully. Do we need to upgrade to BERT 2.1b?
Yes, if you are using BERT to prepare or review your reports with dates in 2011.

Will my old files be compatible with this new version?
Absolutely—not only are your old BERT files compatible, your old AutoReport files are compatible, and, if you are using a payroll vendor that produces an MTRS file for you, those files are also compatible.

Can I submit my deduction reports online now?
Yes—please contact your Employer Services representative for information on MyTRS.

Whom do I contact for support?
If you have any problems either installing BERT 2.1b or using the program, please:

• contact your MTRS Employer Service Representative,
• call the Employer Services helpline at 617-679-6895, or
• send an e-mail to bertsupport@trb.state.ma.us .

Instructions for downloading BERT