Pro-Ware — Asset Keeper

NAVIGATION/EASE-OF-USE:
Asset Keeper opens to a unique master screen that provides a snapshot view of
the most recently worked on client, displaying basic company information, along
with de-preciation methods and conventions, and a text-link menu to key reports,
worksheets and forms. The program offers navigation menus across the top, plus
an icon menu providing access to key system areas, in-cluding asset management
tasks, annual and monthly calculations, and a backup utility.

The program’s client selection screen opens within a subwindow that
displays a traditional spreadsheet view with the ability to sort by columnar
information that includes entity type, number of assets, business activity and
file information. A wizard guides users through company setup tasks, in-cluding
assigning books, setting defaults for bonus depreciation, Sec. 179, depreciation
methods, and report and system options.

The system’s asset screens offer similar spreadsheet views and column
sorting options while displaying summary data for asset descriptions, costs
and acquisition dates. Users can also search or filter these lists and quickly
access detailed asset management and disposal functions. A Quick Entry wizard
can be used to apply changes or add information across multiple items, while
new assets are added on intuitive forms that offer lookup fields for GL account
numbers, locations, departments and user-defined data, and also allows duplication
of existing assets. Asset Keeper also uses wizards to guide users through calculation
features and reporting.

Detailed asset information screens open with tabs for general information
and each of the books assigned to the item, as well as additional icons in the
top menu that give options for navigating forward and back between assets, disposal
options, assigning group tags, entering vehicle mileage, or viewing a summary
depreciation comparison screen that shows all books side by side. Image files
and digital documents (such as warrantees, invoices, etc.) can be attached to
asset records.

MANAGEMENT FEATURES:
Asset Keeper’s wizards greatly streamline many operational and managerial
tasks, while the program offers comprehensive depreciation calculation features
that automatically check for mid-quarter convention qualification, provides
depreciation projections for up to 99 years, can handle short-year depreciation
and can pro-rate depreciation over specific periods or percentages. The system
supports any number of companies and assets, with up to eight books each that
include federal tax, AMT, ACE, book and four custom schedules. The program can
automatically assign Sec. 179, AMT, ACE and other methods. All traditional conventions
can be used, including MACRS, ACRS, straight-line, sum of digits, declining
balance, custom methods, and zero and negative depreciation.

Since the program is designed for accountants who likely manage the assets
for multiple closely related businesses (owned by the same individual or parent
company), the system offers a rather unique ability to perform actions across
multiple companies, including merging and un-merging client asset databases.
The program also provides multiple methods for applying changes across multiple
assets, including to asset descriptions, GL account numbers, methods, lives,
valuations and groups. Global options include the ability to perform mass acquisitions,
mass and partial dispositions, splits, unsplits, transfers between companies
and like-kind exchanges, with wizards offering guidance for these activities,
helping to ensure appropriate treatment.

INTEGRATION:
Asset Keeper can import data from multiple formats, including Excel and various
text files, and conversion tools are built in for users of more than a dozen
account-ing and asset management packages. Data can be output to PDF and Word,
and into plain text, which allows basic importing into some GL systems. Integration
with the user’s email system allows sending reports from within the program.

REPORTING:
The reporting functions in Asset Keeper are easily accessible and offer extensive
options for depreciation, period reporting, summaries, projections, managerial
re-porting, lists and labels. The program also offers federal forms 4562 and
4797, California form 3885, and worksheets for personal property taxes, tax
credits, listed property, exchanges and Sec. 179 histories. All reports can
be output to PDF, Word, Open Office, XML, HTML and plain text, or can be directly
emailed.

HELP/SUPPORT:
A traditional Help index is complemented by built-in FAQs and a tutorial. The
vendor’s website offers program updates and documentation, plus additional
FAQs, tutorials, access to the company’s blog and a user discussion board
for each of their products, allowing professionals to share advice, tips and
best practices with other users. Unlimited technical support is included in
program pricing and annual renewals.

2009 OVERALL RATING: