2014 Review of AccuFund Accounting Suite for Nonprofits

AccuFund offers extensive flexibility to all nonprofits, with a strong core accounting system and the ability to add modules as needed.  Users can choose the traditional desktop system or opt for the flexible cloud based system for added flexibility. 

CORE NFP/FUND ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES – 5 Stars

AccuFund offers users a lot of flexibility when setting up accounts, with users able to use up to 255 alpha-numeric characters and up to 99 segments.  Multiple transaction types are easily processed in AccuFund, including posting cash receipts, standard journal entries, budget entries, recurring invoices, and utility billing.  The excellent Budget Development module allows users to create budgets at any organizational level, view both historic and current budget versions, and create multiple budgets simultaneously. 

Users can also revise existing budgets as needed, with all changes easily viewed for reference.  A great feature is the ability to allow department managers the ability to create their own budget and monitor activity as needed.  The Budget Development module also includes a report writer mechanism that allows users to easily create specialized reports as needed including historical data. 

AccuFund’s CRM Core Components integrates with Salesforce.com to provide vital nonprofit features such as donor and relationship management, donation tracking, social networking, marketing campaigns, honor and memorial tracking, and reporting, analytics, and forecasting.   The optional Grants Management module allows users to easily manage all grant activity, including initial application approval, grant budgets, grant reporting, and all related tasks. AccuFund contains an automatic due to/from feature that helps to ensure that all program funds are in balance.   AccuFund supports multiple year-end closings, and allows users to easily enter closing entries in a prior year for a smooth year end closing.

e-Features in AccuFund include the ability to pay invoices electronically, process incoming bank transfers for payments, and the ability to email invoices and statements to donors.  AccuFund Anywhere provides users with access to the core system from anywhere, and employee time entry is available through the web-based Employee Portal. 

MANAGEMENT FEATURES – 4.75 Stars

AccuFund provides users with customized dashboard functionality, with users able to track vital data as needed.   AccuFund contains excellent budget management functionality, with users able to create budgets based on historical totals or by increasing those historical totals by a defined percentage.  The Budget Development module provides department managers with the ability to enter and manage their budgets, including revisions.  Budgets can be finalized and locked when needed. 

User security is solid, with basic screen level security as well as component level security, based on user need.  Managers are also able to further customize system usage by defining employee access to all read, write, and delete capabilities as well.  The optional Requisition Management module helps users keep control over expenses by routing all purchase order requests to the required personnel prior to processing.   AccuFund tracks all receivable activity, including invoice due dates.  Donor and pledge tracking is available in AccuFund’s CRM Core Components, with all fundraising and subsequent follow-up activity managed there as well. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & REPORTING – 5 Stars

AccuFund contains solid reporting and financial statement customization capabilities.  The Forms and Report Generator allows users to design or redesign all system reports to suit their needs.  Since all standard AccuFund reports are created using a template, the Reports/Forms Designer module makes it easy to edit those templates when necessary.  The Financial Report Writer works much like the Forms and Report Generator, using templates to create standard reports which users can then customize. 

Users can easily create required nonprofit reports such as FASB and GASB, adding custom details such as organizational logos or images for a professional appearance.  AccuFund users can easily view reports on screen, print, save reports as a PDF or HTML file, or export reports to Excel if needed.    The Grant Management module allows users to create quick reports, customize existing report templates, and print standard reports such as Grant Demographic Information or Grant Application History, as well as other grant related reports such as a Grant Budget or Financial Summary.    

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT 5 Stars

AccuFund contains a series of data import wizards that assist users with importing data from other sources.  Data is easily imported using fixed field, comma delimited, and spreadsheet formats.  Specifics can also be saved and used for future data import as well.  AccuFund offers users a lot of flexibility, with all modules easily integrating with the core system.  With the availability of the Cloud-Based version, users can now combine both versions (Cloud & traditional desktop) to create a flexible, fully integrated nonprofit financial system. AccuFund also offers accountants remote system access via AccuFund Anywhere.    

HELP/SUPPORT – 5 Stars

AccuFund offers users a series of system wizards, webinars and tutorials designed to assist new users with system navigation and setup, though some training is recommended for nonprofits with multiple programs and fund centers.  AccuFund also offers web training as well as onsite training.  An annual service contract is available to users with costs at 25% of software cost.  The contract offers 800 number support, software maintenance, and automatic software upgrades when available.  Remote support service is included in this fee as well.      

SUMMARY

AccuFund is a solid, nonprofit product well suited for – nonprofits that require a scalable product that offers both grant management and donor management capability.  AccuFund offers both a standard and professional edition of its desktop product as well as AccuFund Anywhere, which is Cloud-based, offering further flexibility.  Pricing begins at $2,995 for a single user system with additional modules priced between $1,295 and $2,495.  AccuFund Anywhere starts at $190 per month for the first user, with subsequent users extra.  Add-on modules are priced between $80 and $110 per month.    

Best Fit:  AccuFund Accounting Suite for Nonprofits is modular, scalable nonprofit software that is well suited for mid-sized and larger nonprofit organizations, including enterprise-level entities those managing hundreds of millions in funds. Available in both desktop format and as an online/cloud-based solution, AccuFund offers flexibility along with solid accounting functionality. 

Strengths

• Excellent scalability with varying editions and options available
• Offers complete nonprofit management including grant management and donor management capability
• Solid reporting capability
• Extensive budgeting options
• Excellent selection of add-on modules available

Potential Limitations

• Users may have to invest some time and money into system training

2014 Overall Rating: 5 Stars