CYMA Systems, Inc. — CYMA After-the-Fact Module

From the November 2009 Review of Client
Write-Up Systems.

CYMA
offers a range of mid-market accounting systems for businesses and nonprofits,
including the CYMA Financial Management System, which includes the company’s
professional write-up system through its After-the-Fact module. While this module
offers after-the-fact payroll processing and compliance, as its name implies,
it also offers features designed for other write-up processes, including bank
reconciliation, full GL, AR and AP, inventory control, check writing, sales
order management and other areas.

All modules for the program are available individually, allowing users to purchase
only those they need for their client services, in addition to the system manager.
The initial cost is generally $645 per module; a basic write-up package for
a single-user would be $1,685. Annual update costs (maintenance plan) are 18%
of that (or $303.30). The cost of the actual add-on module alone (for existing
CYMA clients) is only $395. CYMA is built upon the Pervasive database, which
is an additional cost; as of this writing, the basic workgroup license is $130.

LEARNING CURVE & EASE OF USE-
Although it can be installed on stand-alone computers, the CYMA Financial Management
System is really best-designed for server installation, with setup processes
guiding users through installation of the Pervasive database and security features,
along with construction of charts of accounts. CYMA opens into a browser-like
interface that uses text-based links and pull-down menus across the top for
accessing system modules and key function areas, along with assistive tools
such as a getting started guide, module tutorials, calculators and reference
materials. Links can be customized and added to this menu bar, and the program
operates as a browser, providing forward and back navigation buttons.

Company client selection lists can be customized to display various sets of
client information and offer the ability to search or filter by additional methods.
Selection lists for employees and vendors offer the same customization and filtering
options. Through the After-the-Fact system, each of the functions generally
considered as part of write-up processes are accessed by selecting the appropriate
module: AP, AR, GL, Reconciliation, etc., enabling users to access summary and
detail data quickly and perform work as necessary. When working within these
modules, users can select specific tasks from the pull-down menus, such as entering
invoices in AR or AP, working with journal entries in the GL or performing reconciliation
functions.

Data-entry windows are intuitive and provide multiple selection lists for
entering information already stored in the system, such as account numbers,
customer or vendor information, and other data, while calculators are always
at hand.

CYMA’s AP module offers full support for managing vendors, from processing
invoices and making payments to check writing and 1099 preparation. The system’s
AR functionality includes the ability to monitor all levels of client relationships,
including credit management, aging tracking, communication templates, email
functions and sales tax processing. The Bank Reconciliation module provides
a streamlined application for managing multiple AP, AR and payroll accounts,
with the ability to download electronic data from banks and more than 100 customizable
data fields.

The system can support any number of companies or divisions and allows users
to track any number of bank accounts per entity. CYMA’s GL, the heart
of any accounting system, offers great control over charts of accounts, with
multiple summary data views and the ability to drilldown to transaction level.
Transactions can be entered individually or in batch mode, and recurring journal
entries can be automatically set to post. A full-time audit trail offers management
of all account activity.

REPORTING/FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-
CYMA offers hundreds of premade reports that can be customized or created using
Crystal Reports. When viewed on-screen, financial statements (income, P&L
balance sheet and subtypes) offer drilldown functionality. Other reporting options
include entry listings, ledgers, ratio analyses, aging, account activities,
summaries and period comparisons.

INTEGRATION, IMPORT/EXPORT-
CYMA is a module-based system, with all areas of the program sharing data as
needed, which includes sharing it with the optional live payroll system. Users
can also use an import utility to transfer client and account data from most
client bookkeeping programs as well as from spreadsheets and Excel files. Data
can also be exported for use with professional tax compliance systems.

SUPPORT, TRAINING & HELP SYSTEM-
The Financial Management System provides a strong set of traditional Help features,
including an index, setup guides, right-click menus, tips and task guidance.
A printed user manual is also included. CYMA’s support website offers
a knowledgebase, system updates and training options.

RELATIVE VALUE –
CYMA’s Financial Management System and After-the-Fact module set offers
a powerful write-up solution for mid-sized practices, allowing data import from
multiple programs and providing exceptional reporting and customization options.

2009 Overall Rating: