Micronetics, Int’l. — Xpert Write-Up for Windows

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

Micronetics offers a full accounting suite for small and mid-sized businesses
through its Xpert Financials system, which provides modules for GL, AR, AP,
inventory, payroll, reconciliation and other key components. The company also
offers the Xpert Write-Up system for professional accountants, with after-the-fact
payroll, W-2/1099 processing and bank reconciliation functions included. Fully
customizable financial reporting options are built into the program, which also
offers integration and import capabilities with Microsoft Word, Excel and QuickBooks,
and export to major tax preparation systems. Xpert Write-Up for Windows costs
$495 per year for a single user, with additional users costing $99 for non-networked
environments and $150 each in networked settings. Pricing includes system updates
and support for one year. Pricing for the company’s Xpert Financials system
is based on selected modules.

LEARNING CURVE & EASE OF USE – 4 Stars
During setup of client companies, Xpert Write-Up provides sample charts of accounts
and guides users through basic information, including sample company data with
which users can train. Client setup functions are performed on well-organized
and intuitive entry screens that include pull-down selection lists for various
fields, including accounts and types. Existing clients can be selected from
the Company Selection screen, which opens within the primary interface to offer
a basic spreadsheet view that is sortable by name or columnar data. Xpert supports
any number of clients, with unlimited bank accounts, each associated with its
own GL number.

The main program interface offers several icons for accessing modules and
key program areas. This includes the client selection lists and, within a client,
tasks specific to write-up functions for that company, including reconciliation,
after-the-fact payroll and W-2/1099 processing. Password protection is offered
at the company level, and all activities are tracked via the system’s
audit trail. Users can also opt to use a built-in timekeeping function that
tracks time spent during write-up activities for each client.

The system’s main Write-Up menu opens within a screen with tabs for moving
between Journal Entry functions, Reporting, Financials, Setups, Listings, Year-End
Tasks, Utilities, the ATF Payroll system and Custom Reports. Each of these tabs
provides further options specific to the task area. The Journal Entry tab, for
instance, includes buttons for entering or editing entries, posting and unposting
transactions, along with special processing functions such as creating or transferring
recurring entries and creating, reversing or transferring reverse entries. Xpert
uses a batch entry format for journal entries and supports heads-down, keyboard
and hot-key entry as well as the use of graphical menus. Up to 999 user-defined
journals can be created with as many as 9,999 supporting schedules per company.

REPORTING & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – 4 Stars
Xpert includes more than 30 standard financial report templates, including multiple
balance sheet and P&L options, various schedules, trend and variance analyses,
budgets, compilation letters, and year-end options. These reports are accessible
via the Financials tab on the Client Write-Up menu, which can be customized
for each client using the built-in FinePrint utility. Users can also create
up to 9,999 completely custom reports, which can be used as templates across
all or select clients. Reports can have up to 26 columns and include data from
up to four years. Users can print, view on-screen, or save into Word or Excel
formats.

INTEGRATION, IMPORT/EXPORT – 4 Stars
As noted in the reporting section above, Xpert Write-Up can generate reports
into Excel and Word formats. The system also integrates fully with the Xpert
Financials system and can import client transactional data from QuickBooks,
Quicken and ASCII formats. Micronetics also offers an optional utility for transferring
trial balance files into preparation systems.

SUPPORT, TRAINING & HELP – 3.5 Stars
In addition to the index-based Help utility, Xpert Write-Up includes a tutorial
on the program disc, along with printed user manuals and installation notes.
The company’s website offers downloadable program updates and a web form
for contacting support with no additional materials. Technical support is included
with the system’s pricing and annual updates.

RELATIVE VALUE – 4 Stars
Xpert Write-Up offers an attractively priced write-up system for professionals
with up to moderately complex mid-sized business clients who may have departmental
or geographical financial reporting needs, as well as after-the-fact payroll
and year-end wage reporting needs. The system offers output to Excel and Word,
and includes file formatting for transferring trial balance data into tax systems.

2008 Overall Rating: