2012 Review of AccuFund Accounting Suite for Nonprofits

Strengths

• Extensive selection of modules available
• Affordably priced in comparison to comparable products
• Strong budget management capability
• Scalable, with two versions and two delivery methods
• Excellent dashboard and reporting capability

Potential Limitations

• System setup may take time

 

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS: 5 Stars
AccuFund Accounting Suite is available in two versions; a typical desktop version and a cloud-based SaaS version. A good fit for mid-sized nonprofits that have outgrown off-the-shelf software, AccuFund is designed for Windows and features easy system navigation throughout.

Users can access the system utilizing a standard toolbar with icons relevant to the module currently accessed. Changing modules will automatically update the features displayed on screen. Data lookup options are available throughout AccuFund and tool tips are easily accessible in each data entry field.

AccuFund’s core accounting system included GL, Financial Report Writer, AP, Cash Receipting, Bank Reconciliation, System Security, User Security, Forms Designer, Data Imports & Exports, Accounts Table-based of flat, and Document Imaging & Scanning.

Additional modules available include AR/Inventory, Allocations, Fixed Assets, Human Resources, Payroll, Purchasing/Inventory, Requisition Management, and Loan Tracking. Available in two versions; Standard & Professional, AccuFund can serve nonprofit needs immediately as well as into the foreseeable future.

CORE NFP/FUND ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES: 5 Stars
AccuFund offers users an extremely flexible account structure, with nonprofits able to use up to 255 alpha-numeric characters and up to 99 separate segments. AccuFund easily handles multiple transaction types including actual and encumbrance entries along with budget transactions and reconciling items.

AccuFund’s optional Budget Development module fully integrates with the GL module and the also handles project budget creation. Budgets can be created at any level, with users able to view prior budgets as needed. The Budget Development module tracks all historical budgets and allows users to utilize an unlimited number of budget cycles.

Multiple budget types are available including annual, project, grant, and capital expense budgets. The Budget Reporting module provides users with custom budget formatting and reporting options as needed. The AccuFund CRM module, sold separately, provides users with complete donor tracking and management, including the ability to track giving history, customizes donor communications, and handles mass donor emails, both online and recurring donations, and pledge management.

An optional Grants Management module tracks vital data such as approval status, grant beginning and end dates and can create an up to date grant budget and other reports as needed. The automatic due to/from accounting function works to keep all funds in balance.

With the purchase of The Outreach Suite, which will be sold as AccuFund CRM, AccuFund now offers a complete nonprofit accounting/donor management product. AccuFund’s GL module easily handles multiple year end closings and the built-in audit trail tracks all transactions entered into the system.

AccuFund offers a multitude of e-features including the ability to email invoices to vendors and donors and also contains electronic bill payment capability in both the AP and PR modules. The SaaS version of AccuFund allows users to access the system from anywhere. A new employee portal allows employees to enter time sheet data, view previous check stubs, and edit tax information and access company wide news.

MANAGEMENT FEATURES: 4.75 Stars
Each employee has their own dashboard functionality with up to six categories of data tracked. Datasets make setting up dashboards easy, with users able to choose graph types and data criteria as needed.

AccuFund allows users to access prior year budgets for accurate forecasting, and note fields are available to record detailed information on each account. Users can create budgets using multiple worksheets and all changes can be easily tracked. System security is multi-level, with administrators able to set up each system user with password-protected system access as well as provide specific usage capability for each user, including read only, write, or delete permissions.

Expense control functionality is found in AP, JE, Requisition & Purchasing modules. The AR module contains collection capability and fundraising and donor management capability is available through the CRM module, which tracks donor data, repeats donations, handles mass emails, and tracks donations.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & REPORTING: 5 Stars
The Report Writer component provides users with in-depth financial reporting capability, allowing users to create custom reports and forms as needed. Users can also create nonprofit specific FASB or GASB reports, adding graphs or organizational logos as needed.

AccuFund also contains a large selection of standard reports that can be quickly processed, customized as needed and saved for future use. All reports can be viewed on screen, printed, saved as a PDF, emailed to recipients, or saved as an HTML file, as well as exported to Excel. The optional Grants Management module also provides custom, grant-specific reporting capability.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT: 5 Stars
The Data Export module provides easy data exporting to a variety of formats including text, .csv, or Excel. The Data Import module contains a series of import wizards to guide users through the importing process, from choosing an appropriate format to saving importing choices for future use.

AccuFund’s add-on modules easily integrate with the core accounting suite with users able to scale up the core system as needed or upgrade to the professional version. SaaS capability mean company accountants can easily access client data as needed.

HELP/SUPPORT: 5 Stars
AccuFund contains an excellent Help feature, found throughout the program. Training modules are also available to guide new users through system navigation. Toll-free telephone support is available, as is email support. Client portals, coming soon, will allow customers to request support via the portal. Onsite and web-based training is available, and AccuFund offers a support contract that runs 25% of the software cost.

SUMMARY & PRICING
AccuFund Accounting Suite for Nonprofits is an easily navigated, scalable nonprofit software product ideal for mid-sized nonprofits desiring excellent budgeting capabilities along with a product that can grow with them. AccuFund starts at $2,995 for a single user standard edition and $6,495 for the professional version. The SaaS version starts at $385.00 per month, depending on number of users.

2012 Overall Rating: 5 Stars