2016 Review of AccountantsWorld – Practice Relief

• Product contains an intuitive user interface
• Excellent integration with other modules in AccountantsWorld Power Practice Suite
• Users can access the product from any location using a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smart phone
• Offers a good scheduling tool that synchs with Microsoft Outlook
• Offers excellent analytical reports including project profitability and staff productivity

Potential Limitations

• Much more powerful when used in conjunction with the Power Practice Suite from AccountantsWorld

Practice Relief, from AccountantsWorld can be utilized as a stand-alone product, or used as part of the Power Practice suite of applications designed for accounting firms, which includes client bookkeeping, document management and document storage, payroll processing, and website development. The product offers solid time tracking and management, invoicing functionality, as well as a robust scheduling option that can be synched with Microsoft Office.

Basic System Functions: 4.75 Stars

Completely web-based, Practice Relief offers users an easily navigated screen, with quick access to Time Tracking, Billing, Scheduler, Reports, Email Broadcast, Setup, and Firm. A series of icons provide access to all functions within Practice Relief. The product comes with pre-configured tasks and expenses, making product setup quick. Users can choose to use the pre-configured data or simply add their own. When setting up employee information, users can set up billing charges by either role or task, and multi-level security offers password protected system access, with managers able to grant system access by application, if used in conjunction with Power Practice. Managers can also define system access by assigned role, providing employees with access to needed functions. The Email Broadcast function allows users to easily send messages and other information to their clients.

Time Management Capabilities: 4.75 Stars

Practice Relief can be accessed via any Internet connection, and is compatible with mobile devices. Time can be entered directly into the system by using the desktop time tracker, or the mobile Time and Expense Tracker. Just click on the start task option and the time will automatically launch. When the task is completed, just stop the time, and post the time directly to a timecard. With synching available with Microsoft Outlook, users can create billable tasks directly from appointments. On a side note, the Time Tracker feature is an application that is installed separately from the main product and can be used even if the user is not currently logged into Practice Relief. Time can also be entered manually by choosing a client, entering task detail, time spent on each task, total billable hours and any related notes. Each employee can have a default set of tasks assigned to them, notating whether each assigned task is billable, with users able to set up multiple default billing rates for employees. All tasks can be edited, deleted, or managers can add new tasks to an employee at any time. Users can also enter any related expenses to each client, which can later be invoiced along with any billable tasks.

Invoicing Functions: 4.75 Stars

Invoices can be created from all tasks and expenses that have been entered, by billing a client that is on retainer, or by simply entering invoice details directly from the invoice screen. Practice Relief allows users to post separate expense entries with users able to quickly choose which expenses they wish to post directly to a client invoice. Users can choose one time billing, or choose to automatically bill clients, such as those on retainer. Client payments are easily monitored, with user able to enter client payments, as well as view client payment history. An accounts receivable aging report allows managers to quickly review all outstanding client balances.

Practice Relief allows users to easily print invoices for general mailing, or invoices can be emailed directly to clients. Invoices are fully customizable, with users able to create a custom invoice for each client, or utilize the invoice template that is included with the product.

Management Features: 4.75 Stars

Practice Relief includes a scheduler function that can track appointments. The scheduler synchs with Microsoft Outlook, reducing the chance of missed appointments. Once an appointment has been completed, users can convert the appointment into a task for easy invoicing. The product offers three groups of reports; Client Reports, Staff Reports, and Firm Reports. Client reports provide management with client analysis, including profitability analysis, which details which clients are the most profitable for the firm. Other reports client reports include Client Aging, Client Summary, and Client Ranking. Staff reports analyze staff productivity and ROI, and Firm reports analyze all services provided by the firm, determining which services are most profitable, while providing detail on how much each project actually costs. Other Firm reports include Expense Listings, Firm Performance, and Invoice Summary. All reports can be exported to Excel or to any format that supports .RTF files, such as Microsoft Word.

Integration/Data Management: 4.5 Stars

Practice Relief seamlessly integrates with other AccountantsWorld applications, including Accounting Relief, Payroll Relief, and Website Relief, eliminating the need to export data or re-enter information numerous times. The Email Broadcaster is a terrific feature, providing firms with an easy way to stay in touch with clients on a regular basis. All Practice Relief data can be exported to both Microsoft Word and Excel, and the Scheduler function synchs with Microsoft Outlook.

Help/Support: 4.75 Stars

Solid help functionality if found throughout the product, and users have quick access to a variety of help and related tools such as webinars and whitepapers. Product support is included in the purchase price, with web support available at any time, and telephone support available during regular business hours. Additional webinars are also available, and are also free of charge to product users.

Summary and Pricing

Practice Relief, from AccountantsWorld, is an excellent practice management component of the Power Practice Suite. Designed for small to mid-sized accounting firms, Practice Relief offers anywhere/anytime access, along with complete mobile accessibility. Pricing for Practice Relief is $495 per year, which includes multiple users and client capabilities. For added functionality, users can use y, Practice Relief in conjunction with Power Practice, which offers additional modules.    

2016 Overall Rating: 4.75 Stars