CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business — ProSystem fx Write-Up

From the Nov. 2008 Review of
Client Write-Up Systems

As a part of CCH’s comprehensive line of professional accounting and
practice management applications, ProSystem fx Write-Up offers a fully
integrated option for accountants providing this service to their business clients.
The system supports any number of clients and departments and provides powerful
drilldown financial statement generation tools, after-the-fact payroll, bank
reconciliation functions, full checkwriting capabilities, advanced user customization
features and streamlined workflow processes. Write-Up can import or convert
transactional data from most accounting packages and can output reports to common
paperless file formats. Pricing for the program starts at $1,850.

LEARNING CURVE & EASE OF USE — 4.5 Stars
Based on the .NET platform, ProSystem fx Write-Up is extremely customizable
and flexible, with very impressive user-controllable interface options and menus
that can be personalized using simple drag-and-drop placement of the items.
During program and client company setup tasks, the program includes an import
wizard that can manage the process of pulling in or converting data from other
programs, provides templates for charts of accounts, and also offers the ability
to copy existing chart setups to other clients.

After selecting a company from the searchable/sortable client selection screen,
ProSystem fx Write-Up opens to an interface that displays a customizable
Shortcuts menu that is movable or minimizable as desired. The Shortcuts menu
can house links to functions like transactions, reconciliation, accounts, live
and after-the-fact payroll, checkwriting, or recording deposits. The screen
also offers a few icons for key features and traditional pull-down menus, while
most of the remaining area is used for work processes depending upon the task.
When viewing transactions, information is presented in spreadsheet format with
full drilldown access and the added ability to further customize the information
presented to meet firm or user workflow preferences.

Data-entry screens appear as popup windows that provide an exceptionally intuitive
structure, with tabbed access to information entry and intelligent features
such as selection lists for banks, accounts, clients and virtually all other
fields for which the system houses data. The program includes strong filtering
functions that simplify finding specific transactional data quickly. The system’s
reconciliation functions offer an outstanding overview screen that gives quick
access to deposits, receipts, outstanding checks, prior reconciliations and
other items.

The working trial balance capabilities in ProSystem fx Write-Up highlight
and track adjusting entries and automatically process the updates on-screen.
After-the-fact payroll is built into the program, while integration with PayCycle’s
web-based professional system is also available for live payroll processing.
Write-Up also includes signature-ready payroll and wage reporting forms, including
payroll and tax liability reports. Because of the very comprehensive nature
of the system, it will require some training and direct experience by users
before gaining full competency with all of its capabilities.

REPORTING & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – 5 Stars
As with the system’s flexible interface, ProSystem fx Write-Up
provides amazing customization options for reporting and financial statement
preparation. Full sets of financials can be generated, along with comparative
financials, consolidated reports and other options. Reporting processes are
guided by a reporting wizard that allows users to design client-specific reports
and compilation letters, or save or search previously customized reports and
letters. Reports can be saved to Excel or PDF formats.

INTEGRATION, IMPORT/EXPORT – 5 Stars
In addition to file saving options, ProSystem fx Write-Up can export
data directly into other ProSystem fx programs, including Engagement
and Trial Balance. It also offers dynamic links that enable the system to share
data with ProSystem fx Tax, with information automatically routed to
appropriate client returns. As previously noted, the system includes an import
wizard that guides users through acquisition of client transactional data (including
account, customer, employee and vendor data) from other sources, including QuickBooks,
Peachtree, Quicken, Write-Up CS, the Windows Clipboard or from ASCII-formatted
files.

SUPPORT, TRAINING & HELP SYSTEM – 5 Stars
Along with its previously praised customization option, ProSystem fx
Write-Up also gives users great assistive features, including right-click menus,
content-specific Help and program tutorials. CCH’s support website provides
program updates, news items and a good collection of FAQs. Technical support
is included in pricing.

RELATIVE VALUE – 5 Stars
ProSystem fx Write-Up represents the most technologically advanced
write-up system on the market, providing outstanding flexibility and user control
over virtually all aspects of the interface and displays, while also getting
serious about real workflow issues by providing extensive drilldown accessibility
options that are always at hand. The program can import from most accounting
systems and offers export capabilities, but it really excels when used in conjunction
with CCH’s engagement, trial balance and tax programs.

2008 Overall Rating: