From the April/May 2010 Review of Professional
Tax Systems (Advanced Workflow).
Lacerte
Tax Software provides a professional compliance solution for professional firms
with moderate to complex client bases and workflow processes, offering multi-preparer
and review processes, management productivity supervision and support for multiple
office locations. New in the TY 2009 version, Lacerte expanded its e-file library,
increased the number of prior-year data fields presented in the current-year
return, developed the product on a faster core platform technology, added an
Excel asset import tool, and added support for Vista 64 and Windows 7 operating
systems
CORE PRODUCT FUNCTIONS/FEATURES:
Lacerte is available in several bundles, including a 1040-only system, another
with primarily individual but also with some moderate business filing needs,
and the more comprehensive Individual + Complete Business Productivity package,
which is reviewed here. The system is traditionally installed on a firm’s
own computers. The bundle is network-ready and includes support for individuals,
1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S and 990 entities at the federal and state level, including
unlimited e-filing and the ability to process multiple state returns with the
option to add estate, gift and pension plan return capabilities. Also included
with the package are document management, analyzer and planning applications,
while optional add-ons include a Trial Balance Utility, Forms Library, e-Organizer,
payment collection tools, ProLine Tax Research and the new Document e-Sort.
Through its QuickBooks line, Intuit also offers write-up, payroll and several
other professional accounting applications that offer integration into the Lacerte
tax system.
Lacerte uses an interface that is centered around the Client Manager screen
as a home base, providing a client list that includes multiple sorting, filtering
and search functions that are accessible using the Filter and Views panels on
the left. In addition to sorting and filtering by entity types, preparer and
status, users can also narrow the list by e-file clients, states and other options.
Tabbed navigation allows users to quickly navigate through and prepare a client’s
return, with tabs including options for the client tracker, the general client
list, client detail, forms, diagnostics, analysis and trial balance. Links to
research and in-program Help options are available at the top, including the
new “Ask Intuit” feature, which allows users to search the Knowledge
Base, ask other users in an online community, and the ability to chat online
or talk with a live agent anytime. An icon menu gives access to notes, e-filing
functions, calendaring and diagnostics, or opening integrated modules such as
document management and research. Lacerte offers the ability to use the mouse,
keyboard, hotkeys or any combination thereof.
When working within client returns, the system again offers multiple navigation
options. Using interview sheets as the primary method of data entry, a master
list of all input screens presents data entry in traditional categories for
general, payments, income, deductions, credits, taxes, state and local, and
miscellaneous forms, with the ability to jump to those sections or to specific
tasks within, such as entering moving expenses, a new W-2 or pass-through K-1s.
All forms, schedules and worksheets involved in a client’s return are
accessible via tabs at the bottom as they are created. Entry fields use many
intelligent features, including pull-down selection lists, auto-population of
some items and allowing users to skip over fields that don’t apply to
the current client based on prior data entry. A forms-based view is also available
for review purposes, offering diagnostics and the ability to add tick marks
and notes to form fields.
INTEGRATION:
Lacerte automatically routes information between related returns as necessary,
including K-1 import and information between child-parent returns. The system
also integrates with QuickBooks and offers import of data from Excel and other
formats. The program’s modules, including the Lacerte DMS, Tax Planner,
e-Organizer, Trial Balance and other options, offer good integration with the
tax system. Newly integrated research is available via the ProLine Tax Research
system, which offers access to BNA’s libraries of primary source materials
and analysis, as well as line-by-line guidance and the ability to attach research
results to returns.
PAPERLESS WORKFLOW:
Lacerte has continued to add technologies that aid in the paperless practice
and help optimize workflow processes. The core tax system includes the ability
to output forms to PDF, as well as integrated email and fax functions. The Document
Management System adds additional abilities by allowing users to store client
documents and other files, such as Word, Excel or QuickBooks data files, along
with their returns and other engagement products. The Missing Data Utility also
offers workflow benefits, allowing professionals to note in a client return
if specific information is still needed from the client, then generate a client
letter or email to let them know of any/all items they still need to provide.
Lacerte offers data import directly from QuickBooks and Excel spreadsheets,
with a mapping system that remembers client data paths. Intuit is also currently
finalizing a system called ProLine Import, which will let clients electronically
send their 1099-B, INT and DIV forms directly to the preparer for import into
the program.
The Document eSort add-on pro-vides even more workflow management options
by simplifying and reducing the time spent on compiling and arranging workpapers.
A staff member simply scans 1040 client source documents into PDF or TIF format
and uploads them to the secure Intuit servers, where optical character recognition
(OCR) technology is used to identify the forms, automatically arrange them in
the appropriate preparation and review order, and return all of the information
as a single bookmarked and hyperlinked PDF client binder. The eSort feature
can be used as needed for more complex clients at a price of $3 per use for
any number of source documents involved in a single upload. Document eSort can
identify and organize the following forms: W-2s, 1098s, 1099s 5498, K-1s (1041,
1065, 1120S) and 1042S. It categorizes other scanned statements and documents
as miscellaneous.
REMOTE CAPABILITIES:
Although it is normally installed locally, Lacerte can be used in a Citrix/Terminal
Server environment, if the firm has access to the IT expertise to set it up,
providing remote offices or staff with access to the system. While the system
includes several features for client collaboration and communication, Intuit
does not specifically offer online portals for transferring of files between
the firm and clients.
SUMMARY & PRICING
Lacerte Tax Software has been developed to provide mid-sized full-service practices
with comprehensive compliance options for all entity types, along with additional
workflow optimization tools that enable professionals to work more collaboratively.
The system offers generous data sharing and import capabilities, particularly
with Intuit’s other professional and business accounting programs, along
with document management, research and client communication features. Integration
with ProLine Tax Research is integrated within the Lacerte tax product to provide
context-sensitive research. However, the program’s collaboration features
are not geared toward multi-preparers and reviewers working within returns simultaneously.
The automated scan-and-organize option does not offer auto-population of data.
As well, no true remote access capabilities or client portals are currently
offered. The all-entity version reviewed here, which also includes most available
add-ons, costs about $12,500, but firms can select from other bundles, including
an unlimited 1040 individual module for $2,699, or an unlimited business module,
such as 1065 partnership, 1120/1120S Corp, or 1041 Fiduciary for $1,529. Other
bundles are available starting at under $4,900. The Lacerte system is also available
on a pay-per-return basis for individual or any of the business entities.
2010 OVERALL RATING:
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Tags: Software, Technology
