Sage Software/CPASoftware Division — CPAClient Write-Up

Shaun T. Powell, CPA, CMA, CFM, is the controller for GBQ Holdings LLC (www.gbq.com),
the largest locally owned practice in Columbus, Ohio, with over 60 professionals.
Powell says, “The most beneficial aspect of the program to me is the ease
in which it could be interfaced with CPAPractice Manager and AP.” The
firm underwent a conversion to CPASoftware’s Write-Up, AP and Depreciation
modules in 2003 since they already utilized CPAPractice Manager.

LEARNING CURVE & EASE OF USE — 4.5 Stars
CPAClient Write-Up offers fast, comprehensive and flexible client setup. Conversion
of data files from many products is available — too many to list, in fact.
Data entry is intuitive, smart and definitely “heads down.” The
learning curve is fast, and the interface is pleasant and easy on the eyes.
Data entry is logical and has a good feel to it. Powell advises new users to
use “the demo companies provided in Write-Up to better understand various
features, such as how the account masks work, the consolidation modules the
report writer uses for financial statements, and the various posting processes.”

REPORTING & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — 4 Stars
The flexible financial report writer puts the user in control. An adequate supply
of “canned” financial templates accompanies the system. Custom financial
reports are created utilizing a “row-and-column” methodology that
is quickly assimilated by the user, first-nature. Custom statements are available
for sharing between clients. Support for consolidations, departmental and budgetary
reporting is included. Drill-down support to source entry — that’s
way cool!

INTEGRATION, IMPORT/EXPORT & PRODUCTION PROCESSING — 4.5 Stars
This program integrates with CPAPayroll, CPAAccounts Payable, CPADepreciation,
CPADocument Manager and CPAPractice Manager. It imports data from CPAClient
Checkbook, Peachtree, QuickBooks, Quicken, MAS90, FAS, an ASCII file specification
import and ATB. It exports tax data to Lacerte, ProSystem fx Tax (including
automatic support for Pfx tax line assignments), and ProSeries. CPAClient Write-Up
offers no support for batch printing of multiple clients. The company has added
quite a few integration features, imports and exports. This includes the ability
to import and export data involving sister applications MAS 90 and Peachtree,
and to QuickBooks, allowing the accountant to make correcting journal entries
and export them back to the client.

SCALABILITY & PORTABILITY — 4.5 Stars
CPAClient Write-Up is programmed to take advantage of advanced Microsoft Windows
operating system features. Network support requires Windows 2000 or higher,
while one workstation must be running Access 2000 or higher to support the client
database.

SUPPORT, TRAINING & HELP SYSTEM — 4.5 Stars
Comprehensive context-sensitive help is available, and product demos are available
on CD and online through Runaware. Support is free for the first six months
of program ownership, and priority support is offered to new users for the first
60 days of program ownership. Hands-on training is offered in physical or virtual
(web) classrooms, and traditional (toll-free) telephone support is available.
Powell says CPASoftware’s technical support “has been very helpful
and very easy to work with.” In 2004, Powell’s firm decided to split
into five separate legal entities with one parent holding company and four subsidiaries.
“This required a ‘split’ of our existing database into three
pieces as well as a consolidation routine once completed,” Powell explained.
After discussions with support, the firm closed its year-end on January 13,
and sent the CPAPractice Manager database along with processing instructions
to CPASoftware on January 14. “CPASoftware returned the database to me
on January 19, and we were operating as five separate companies on January 20,
with all accounts reconciling perfectly.”

2005 Overall Rating — 4.5 Stars