AccountingWeb today published an article and a link to say that the ICAEW's IT faculty had written a report about online accounting software.
The report, hearteningly, was written in plain English, and made a lot of valid points about how online accounting software helps accountants play a much more hands-on role in their clients' businesses. In these straitened times when small businesses are likely to need all the help they can get, a proactive accountant is always good news.
It talked in more detail about 5 different online packages: accountsIQ, Liberty Accounts, Liquid Accounts, Sage 50's online system, and WinWeb.
What surprised me, however, was that the report only mentioned these 5 packages. I realise there's a limited amount of space in these reports, but I was surprised not to see KashFlow, a recent winner at the Software Satisfaction Awards, and perhaps even more surprised not to see Xero, which is accredited by the ICAEW (as are accountsIQ and WinWeb).
And, as well, I would have liked more detail on the nuts and bolts of using these systems. How easy is it to set up a new client? To extract important information like debtors, creditors and bank balance? To prevent and correct mistakes? To post year end journals and close off a year end? None of that was included in the report.
What would any other accountants like to know about online systems before they invest?
M
Twinfield decided they wouldn't pay the amount requested to be included. I assume the same may be true for the other ommuissions.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you'll have to write your own review for everyone's benefit.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm biased - but missing our KashFlow after the awards we've been accumulating and the market share we have is a pretty big oversight.
ReplyDeleteIt's easily explained though. Like Twinfield, we (KashFlow) wouldn't pay the money requested to be included nor would Xero. Hence we're not in there.
I do feel sorry for ICAEW members and the people who pay for this report. You'd think that you'd be getting an impartial guide.