2012 Review of Advanced Micro Solutions — 1099-Etc

Strengths

• Cost effective system to achieve payroll compliance reporting
• Integration with popular small business accounting software to provide quick compliance reporting
• Strong help and support options included in annual licensing costs

Potential Limitations

• Electronic filing capabilities are not as complete as competitors
• Many states will need to be processed manually through an add-on module

1099-Etc is a forms processing software designed to process year-end and quarterly payroll information. 1099-Etc is a core module in a suite of add-on modules that provide accounting professionals a complete payroll processing solution. 1099-Etc may also be implemented as an internal compliance reporting software for business organizations filing a large number of 1099s.

Basic System Functions: 4.5 Stars

1099-Etc is positioned as the central payroll reporting module and provides accounting professionals the tools necessary to prepare annual and quarterly compliance reporting. The program is designed as a desktop solution but may be installed in a network environment for no additional charge. Navigation through the system is generally intuitive and most accounting professionals may process W-2s and 1099s with little upfront training.

Advanced Micro Solutions offers four add-on modules that tie in to the core module and enhance the payroll process. A payroll module is available which provides live and after-the-fact payroll processing capabilities. Support is provided for all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico and the program handles up to 9,999 payers each with up to 99,999 employees.

All federal and state tax tables are included and payroll is calculated automatically for each employee. Default employee templates may be created and reused throughout the system and support for up to 40 user defined fields may be added for various earning, deduction and benefit codes.

Direct deposit is available for each employee; the generated direct deposit file must be processed manually or a third party can be used for a fee. Bulk TIN and SSN verification is also provided to ensure all company and respective employee identification data is accurate and to help avoid future tax agency correspondence.

All required forms are generated within the system, but to print these forms the Laser Generation module add-on is required. This add-on module also provides capabilities for custom designed checks and MICR encoding. Support is offered for Windows compatible printers, although PCL 5e/6 printer drivers are recommended for speed.

Reporting & Monitoring: 4 Stars

Compliance reporting through 1099-Etc may be accomplished manually, through an included third party service or through the available E-File Direct module. The E-File Direct module produces required files for electronic filing of W-2 and 1099 forms with the IRS and Social Security Administration. These files are then required to be manually uploaded through the respective agency electronic filing systems.

Additional federal and state payroll forms may be processed through the available Forms-Etc add-on module which serves as a form-fill software. The Forms-Etc module includes over 300 forms and allows all forms to be printed on plain paper for filing with the respective tax agencies. A limited number of payroll reports are included in the required base module. Currently no custom reports may be created. All forms and reports may be saved in PDF format for print, email and archive purposes.

Integration/Import/Export: 4 Stars

The 1099-Etc payroll system is offered in a series of add-on modules, each of which directly integrates all data. 1099-Etc has a data import bridge to import information from the QuickBooks and Sage 50 –US Edition (formerly Peachtree) payroll modules. Users may also import data through Microsoft Excel and CSV file formats. Timekeeping data is not currently supported for data import purposes and must generally be entered manually.

Help/Support: 5 Stars

Advanced Micro Solutions provides a considerable amount of help and support options to their users through the program help menu. Users are provided access to a PDF help manual for printing and referencing. Tutorials are provided and cover most of the program modules and features. An online frequently asked question and searchable support knowledgebase is also maintained and is accessible through the dedicated 1099-Etc website.

Additional support may be obtained through phone, fax, email and chat and is available during normal business hours. Program updates are provided throughout the year and are available as downloadable updates through the company website. All noted help, support and program updates are provided in the annual licensing price.

Client Self-Service Features: N/A

Currently, no Internet based client or employee solutions are being offered or considered. Due to this, ratings were not considered for this section.

Summary & Pricing

1099-Etc is designed primarily as an annual and quarterly payroll reporting solution. Several add-on modules are available to enhance the solution and provide additional payroll processing capabilities. All new and renewing users are provided a wide range of help and support options all of which are included in the software licensing costs. 1099-Etc is centered on a required base module that includes everything necessary to prepare Forms W-2 and 1099 and is priced at $75. Other add-on modules are available and a complete live, after-the-fact and annual/quarterly reporting system may be purchased for around $400.

2012 Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars