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General Accounting Discussions: Features for Accounting Software

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    • CommentAuthorlaseredd
    • CommentTimeFeb 26th 2008
     
    I am developing a new accounting software for small businesses. It's aim is to be easy to use. I would like to know some features that are a MUST and any features that would make life easier.

    PS: Please don't tell me to use MYOB or QuickBooks or any other accounting software. This might not even have come into your head, but I got treated pretty rudely at another accounting forum.
    • CommentAuthorcbmtax
    • CommentTimeMar 3rd 2008
     
    I would first use MYOB and Qucikbooks (lol)...and a few others. This will help in determining the many issues they have and some of the good things (which are few) they do. You can then remove the stupid stuff (like not being able to close a period), add missing features (audit trails), and add the good stuff (some of QB reports are very well done).

    In a prior job, I use to sell and service AccountMate. This is a mid-range package, like ACCPAC, MAS-90. I am now a controller for another company and we use Epicor. Boy, do I wish that they had the features of some of the others!

    As an example, one thing that we found to be great in AccountMate was the ability to change/modify an invoice (either AP or AR) after it was saved. There would be an audit trail of the change (very necessary!) It would also warn you if you used a duplicate invoice number. QB and Peachtree allow changes but have no audit trail. There is also no warning if a duplicate number is used, it simply overwrites the old one.

    If you are writing new software, it is best to talk to those who use it (like here) and try out a variety of systems. Try and do "typical" entries and functions, then compare the results.

    Charles
    • CommentAuthorkatahdin
    • CommentTimeMar 14th 2008
     
    Good luck and let me know!! I've been a fairly happy user of DOS Quicken version 8 since 1996/7 or so.
    It was (still is) fast, accurate and very flexible for basic accounting and has quite flexible reports. When Intuit started windoze versions, they took out the basics that were in Dos Quicken, I assume to force people to QuickBooks, so I tried a couple of win versions - didn't like them.

    The accounting that I need to do is for a small business of a retail store and a restaurant, under same corporation. The owner really works off the checkbook, daily receipts - cash, credit cards - checks for COG, etc . That's it until end of year, where she may have outstanding liabilities, etc . No need to do the standard "accrual" accounting until then.

    If I like Dos Quicken so much, why not use it !! I am, but .... Open to errors - doesn't enforce double entry...

    I've been trying out several others - looks like MoneyDance might get there, but wish it focused on the basic data entry - checkbook / transactions / reports than the 'personal" banking /investment stuff.

    I would advise like 'cbmtax' to test out other systems - understand good points. If you like - i'd be glad to zip up the dos quicken (it's out publication) and send it to you - recall that I had it on less than a floppy, so you could test it out.

    Good luck and let me know..

    Allan

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