Sage – Peachtree by Sage Premium Accounting for Nonprofits 2010

When setting up an organization, the user can choose from several different
nonprofit types including daycare centers, educational institutes or religious
organizations. Or they may select the Unified Chart of Accounts or the United
Way-based Chart of Accounts. The Setup Guide appears on-screen upon entering
company information and guides new users through setting up customers, jobs,
vendors, inventory, service items, employees and system security.

The product’s data-entry screens are easily navigated, with lookup options
and navigational arrows found throughout. Peachtree’s account structure
allows for up to 15 alphanumeric numbers in its sequence, and easy import/export
capability allows users to work in Word and Excel.

MODULES/SCALABILITY-
Peachtree is a complete financial solution with a series of functions working
together. Navigation Center functionality includes the Company Center (the GL),
Customers & Sales, Vendors & Purchases, and Business Status (a dashboard
where vital data can be displayed). Inventory & Services, Employees &
Payroll, and the Banking Center are also included. If an organization is outgrowing
Peachtree Premium, it can move up to Peachtree Quantum, which offers more powerful
functionality while accommodating more system users.

FEATURES/FUNCTIONALITY-
Peachtree 2010 contains several significant program enhancements, including
the addition of the Customer Management Center, where the page sections can
be customized to suit organizational needs. Workflow centers (available in Quantum)
allow vital information to be processed and then forwarded on to the correct
source.

Unless you browse through the nonprofit chart of accounts, it may be difficult
to distinguish what sets Peachtree for Nonprofits 2010 apart from standard Peachtree
financial products, although the nonprofit-specific chart of accounts allows
those familiar with nonprofit accounting an easy way to track necessary information.
The fundraising letter template makes it easy to send out personalized letters
to donors or potential donors.

Other features found in Peachtree include the Employee Management feature,
which helps track all employee and volunteer information in one area. Users
can also track specific dates including employee reviews and other time sensitive
tasks. The Business Analytics screen allows users to easily view current organizational
financial performance, view any financial trends, and review payroll, revenue
and gross margin from a single screen.

REPORTING-
Reporting options in Peachtree 2010 are excellent, with over 140 standard reports
included. Report customization options are extensive, and the inclusion of Crystal
Reports makes it even easier to customize or create reports. All reports can
be saved as a PDF for easier distribution, or exported to Excel as needed. Standard
Nonprofit-specific reports in Peachtree 2010 include Statement of Revenues,
Donor Grantor Summary List Report and Statement of Financial Position.

SUPPORT/HELP-
Peachtree 2010 offers an excellent built-in Help function that assists new users.
Though not industry-specific, it can act as a guide through general software
setup. All new Peachtree users will receive 30 days of free support upon product
registration. Peachtree offers numerous support plans. Users will also have
access to the online Peachtree Knowledgebase and the Live Chat Assistance. The
Peachtree Resource Center is also easily accessible from the desktop, which
provides access to tips, training information and a detailed list of what’s
new in the current version.

Also available is the Sage Advisor, which provides employees and volunteers
with a guide to best practices, helping them discover software tips that make
ease system navigation. Training options include self-study guides, numerous
tutorials, as well as onsite training provided by local resellers and certified
technicians.

RELATIVE VALUE-
Peachtree by Sage Premium Accounting for Nonprofits currently costs $344.99
for a single-user system and $749.99 for a five-user system. While Peachtree
does not provide as many of the nonprofit specifics found in some of the other
products reviewed here, it is ideal for smaller nonprofits that have no need
for the complex reporting and tracking functionality that larger organizations
require.

2009 OVERALL RATING: