Sage - Sage Master Builder

From the July 2010 Review of Construction/Contractor Accounting Programs.

Sage Master Builder is an integrated construction/financial product especially well-suited for mid-sized construction and contractor-related businesses. Easily navigated, with a user-friendly interface, Master Builder provides all of the features construction businesses need at an affordable price.

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS:
Sage Master Builder has an easy-to-navigate user interface, with installed modules listed to the left of the screen. File, View and Help functions are located at the top. Clicking on a module expands the menu to display the available options within that module. Journal entry screens are easily expandable, with function buttons at the top of the screen that allow users to enter new records, save the current record, attach documents to the file, or print the record. Templates can be set up and used throughout. Grids are also used throughout and provide a series of functions including copy and paste, along with row and column setup options. Lookup options are available in all data-entry screens, and tabs at the bottom of the display system user, period and transaction entry data.

The Executive Dashboard provides a summary of all cash accounts, cash position, receivables, payables and income from operations, and contains drill-down capability. Sage Master Builder works with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

CORE ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES:
The Master Builder GL supports up to a 10-digit account number. Users can post transactions to any period throughout the year. The AP module allows users to make partial payments on invoices, choose from a wide variety of check formats, and track workers compensation insurance expiration dates. Users can also be notified when going over job budgets. The AR module allows users to customize invoices, statements and all other documents. It also provides several different billing methods including AIA, contract, and time and materials.

The Payroll module handles regular and union payroll, workers compensation rates, and provides labor cost calculations. Payroll check stubs can be customized to suit business needs. Additional modules include Service and Inventory modules that integrate with the core financial product. Master Builder offers several audit features, including the audit error function that scans entries for errors, the payroll audit function and the audit history, where you can view historical data for each period.

Sage Master Builder offers excellent system security features, including the ability to create users and passwords for each company, along with user groups, where global access rights can be set up. Access can be permitted or restricted from company all the way down to features and functions within windows.

CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTOR-SPECIFIC FEATURES:
Sage Master Builder offers three separate editions of estimating software, including Basic, Standard and Extended. Numerous estimating modules are also available that integrate with Sage Master Builder, including Cut & Fill, Database Editor, Digitizer Extended and ePlan Takeoff. Project management features are found throughout, including the Project Work Center, which is a customizable interface that offers access to information on each job, including Receivables Invoices/Credits, Change Orders, Purchase Orders, Subcontracts and Progress Billing. Users can also track submittals and transmittals, along with job tracking information such as cost to complete and hours to complete.