2019 Review of Cougar Mountain Software – Denali FUND Nonprofit Accounting

From the 2019 reviews of nonprofit accounting systems.

Denali FUND Nonprofit Accounting from Cougar Mountain Software is well suited for small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations that desire solid fund accounting in a scalable application. Denali is offered as an on-premise application, though it can be hosted on a virtual server if online access is desired.

Denali FUND offers a variety of enhancements in the latest version of the software including the ability to drill down on FASB reports, and the ability to track release dates for restricted funds. A new dashboard has also been added to the application, with the ability to add multiple dashboards for multiple users. Users can now also allocate budget amounts across accounting periods.

Denali supports unlimited fund accounts, with users able to create a separate chart of accounts for each fund managed. The chart of accounts structure itself supports up to 50 characters and up to six segments, with each fund segment not exceeding 6 characters. Users can choose to use the default chart of accounts in Denali or import their current chart of accounts into the application. There is also a GL Set Up Funds option where users can set up a variety of fund types. Denali uses a batch transaction system which may be beneficial to some organizations.

Denali FUND easily handles multiple transaction types including standard accounting transactions such as journal entries, bill payment, cash receipts, inventory management, purchase orders, order entry, payroll, and job costing. The product also manages multiple funds with automatic fund balancing available. 

Denali offers a Budget Management feature that allows users to easily set up and manage all existing budgets. Users can easily create a budget from scratch, copy an existing budget, or import a budget into the application. Users can easily create multiple budgets, and the budget grid feature makes it easy to enter budget totals. Budget amounts can now be allocated across multiple periods, and users can create a budget for any account in the chart of accounts.

Denali FUND does not include donor management capability in the product itself, but it does offer seamless integration with Donor Express, with users able to easily import and export donation details directly into the application.

A true fund accounting application, Denali FUND allows users to track multiple funds and grants, with each having its own chart of accounts. Users can also allocate expenses to specified accounts as needed.

Denali FUND offers multi-level security options, with users able to set up system users in the Controller module. Users can be assigned individual rights or added to a group, with system access set by module, and then features within each module.

Denali FUND offers a great selection of reports, with reporting options available in each of the application modules. Both the Statement of Activities and the Statement of Financial Position have been updated to meet new FASB standards. Users can also run standard financial statements as well as custom reports by fund or grant. Denali FUND reports are easily customized and users can export reports to Crystal Reports for more customization capability. Reports can also be exported to Microsoft Word or Excel.

All Denali FUND modules are fully integrated, with users able to purchase the modules they need and add the rest at a later date. Modules available in Denali FUND include GL, AP, AR, Bank Reconciliation, Inventory, Purchase Order, Point of Sale, Order Entry, and Payroll. There are also a variety of add-on modules available including Donor Express, NeonCRM Donor Management, and Crystal Reports. Denali FUND offers a variety of services including conversion services, installation services, and customized reporting options.

Denali FUND offers excellent help functionality throughout the product, with users able to click on the Help option at the top of the screen to access comprehensive help options. Users can request support through the Cougar Mountain website, with both email and toll-free support options available during regular business hours. There are also a variety of training options offered, including onsite, telephone, and classroom training at Cougar Mountain headquarters. Software assurance is also included in the first year, with users able to purchase an extension if desired. 

Denali FUND from Cougar Mountain Software is a good fit for small to mid-sized nonprofits that manage multiple funds and are looking for a product that can grow with them.  Denali is available by module or users can choose from the Basecamp, Ascent, or Summit packages. Pricing is available from Cougar Mountain Software upon request, and users can request a 60-demo in order to try out the application.  
  

2019 Overall Rating: 4.75 Stars