private def validate(entity: CostCenter): List[String] = {
    //var vomit, and why do I need to use .::() instead of just ::?
    var conflicts: List[String] = List[String]()
    if(entity.getName == null)
      conflicts = conflicts.::("A Costcenter must have a Name. ")
    if(entity.getCode == null)
      conflicts = conflicts.::("A Costcenter must have a Code. ")
    if(entity.hasDepth) conflicts = conflicts.::("A Costcenter must have a Depth. ")
    if(entity.hasCategory) conflicts = conflicts.::("A Costcenter must have a Category. ")
    conflicts
  }