CYMA Systems, Inc. — CYMA After-the-Fact Module

From the November 2009 Review of Client Write-Up Systems.

CYMA offers a range of mid-market accounting systems for businesses and nonprofits, including the CYMA Financial Management System, which includes the company’s professional write-up system through its After-the-Fact module. While this module offers after-the-fact payroll processing and compliance, as its name implies, it also offers features designed for other write-up processes, including bank reconciliation, full GL, AR and AP, inventory control, check writing, sales order management and other areas.

All modules for the program are available individually, allowing users to purchase only those they need for their client services, in addition to the system manager. The initial cost is generally $645 per module; a basic write-up package for a single-user would be $1,685. Annual update costs (maintenance plan) are 18% of that (or $303.30). The cost of the actual add-on module alone (for existing CYMA clients) is only $395. CYMA is built upon the Pervasive database, which is an additional cost; as of this writing, the basic workgroup license is $130.

LEARNING CURVE & EASE OF USE-
Although it can be installed on stand-alone computers, the CYMA Financial Management System is really best-designed for server installation, with setup processes guiding users through installation of the Pervasive database and security features, along with construction of charts of accounts. CYMA opens into a browser-like interface that uses text-based links and pull-down menus across the top for accessing system modules and key function areas, along with assistive tools such as a getting started guide, module tutorials, calculators and reference materials. Links can be customized and added to this menu bar, and the program operates as a browser, providing forward and back navigation buttons.

Company client selection lists can be customized to display various sets of client information and offer the ability to search or filter by additional methods. Selection lists for employees and vendors offer the same customization and filtering options. Through the After-the-Fact system, each of the functions generally considered as part of write-up processes are accessed by selecting the appropriate module: AP, AR, GL, Reconciliation, etc., enabling users to access summary and detail data quickly and perform work as necessary. When working within these modules, users can select specific tasks from the pull-down menus, such as entering invoices in AR or AP, working with journal entries in the GL or performing reconciliation functions.

Data-entry windows are intuitive and provide multiple selection lists for entering information already stored in the system, such as account numbers, customer or vendor information, and other data, while calculators are always at hand.

CYMA’s AP module offers full support for managing vendors, from processing invoices and making payments to check writing and 1099 preparation. The system’s AR functionality includes the ability to monitor all levels of client relationships, including credit management, aging tracking, communication templates, email functions and sales tax processing. The Bank Reconciliation module provides a streamlined application for managing multiple AP, AR and payroll accounts, with the ability to download electronic data from banks and more than 100 customizable data fields.

The system can support any number of companies or divisions and allows users to track any number of bank accounts per entity. CYMA’s GL, the heart of any accounting system, offers great control over charts of accounts, with multiple summary data views and the ability to drilldown to transaction level. Transactions can be entered individually or in batch mode, and recurring journal entries can be automatically set to post. A full-time audit trail offers management of all account activity.