Intuit — QuickBooks 2010 Premier: Construction Edition

CORE ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES:
QuickBooks Premier offers complete accounting functionality, with GL, AP, AR
and PR. All GL transactions are entered through the company function, and AP
and AR is well suited to the construction/contracting field, with appropriate
vocabulary included for job-related functions. Payroll is included with the
product, and QuickBooks offers an optional payroll service. Also included is
an excellent banking capability, a multi-currency option and solid account tracking.

The Audit Trail report provides management with detail about every transaction
that is entered into QuickBooks. The new user wizard can help save time, and
users can be assigned full access or specified access, where managers can choose
the specific areas of the program that are accessible.

CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTOR-SPECIFIC FEATURES:
QuickBooks allows for customized estimates, saving of estimate templates for
future use with other jobs, and editing of an existing estimate for current
customers. Users can also choose to enter multiple estimates for each job. Estimates
can also be emailed or converted to an invoice, when necessary. Job-related
reports allow for the tracking of project costs, as well as for comparing estimates
versus actual and tracking profitability for each job. Change order information
can be added to any estimates already in QuickBooks. Information can also be
added or edited as each job progresses. Subcontractor payments and expenses
can be tracked by creating a separate service item. Users can also track subcontractor
time, either with or without using the time tracking feature.

All customer, vendor and employee information can be tracked through the QuickBooks
centers. All transactions within each center are grouped by type and are easily
accessible with a single click. While providing decent tracking information,
centers also allow users to enter new transactions. QuickBooks offers excellent
Inventory functionality, which can be easily activated through the edit preferences
option. Users can enter part numbers, unit of measure, preferred vendor and
re-order point. For further tracking, users can also create user-defined custom
fields. The Purchase Order feature allows for entering vendors on the fly, creating
a custom purchase order template and adding a vendor message if desired.

REPORTING & MANAGEMENT TOOLS:
QuickBooks offers a solid selection of job-related reports, including the Job
Profitability Detail, which provides information to determine exactly where
the profit is coming from. The Profit & Loss by Job gives users an accurate
picture of what jobs are making money. The Job Progress Invoices versus Estimates
gives users a financial report every step of the job. The Report Center makes
it easy to quickly process reports, which can be emailed or exported to Excel.
Templates can be easily created and used repeatedly for customer/vendor communications,
including invoicing, purchase orders and statements, with all forms easily emailed
to clients and vendors alike. Reports can also be formatted as a PDF file.

Organizing piles of paper just got easier with the optional document management
service, which allows users to attach relevant documents to files and upload
them for easy retrieval from any computer that offers Internet access. Field
personnel can also easily access QuickBooks by using the optional remote access
feature that provides access to QuickBooks files at any time.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT:
QuickBooks easily imports data using a text file format. Data can also be exported
directly into Excel. Data import options are similar, with data able to be imported
using Excel or a CSV file. Data files such as customers, vendors and transactions
can also be exported to Excel or a CSV file. Users can import data using these
same types of files, but the data will need to be modified prior to importing.
QuickBooks also integrates with a wide selection of third-party products designed
to work with QuickBooks, as well as starter websites and the Intuit Sync Manager,
which keeps files accurate.

HELP/SUPPORT:
Numerous Help options are available throughout, including the learning tutorials,
QuickBooks Help and the New Business Checklist. Links are also available to
assist users in finding a local expert, as well as the QuickBooks online support
option. System updates can be automatically downloaded anytime as users is online;
a message will simply appear asking if you wish to download the updates now
or later.

QuickBooks has an outstanding user community, made up of users, experts and
accountants, along with QuickBooks support personnel. The site is easily searched,
with answers to many questions quickly available along with the ability to ask
a question. QuickBooks support is available in varying levels, with lower-end
support usually routed to call centers around the world. Escalated security
is usually U.S.-based, and includes payroll support. QuickBooks also makes it
easy to use local experts, providing access to QuickBooks certified support
personnel in client areas.

SUMMARY & PRICING
QuickBooks Premier 2010 is available for $399.95 for a single-user system, $749.95
for a two-user system, and $1,099.95 for a three-user system. QuickBooks Premier
continues to offer incredible value to small businesses worldwide. The six-in-one
industry version allows users to choose from several different business types
with industry-specific features without making a large dent in their budget.
Easy to install, QuickBooks offers small construction companies and contractors
a solid financial product that is a good fit for the small business owner.

2010 Overall Rating: