Sage — Peachtree by Sage Quantum – Accountants Edition 2010

Peachtree remains a popular software solution for small business owners. With products ranging from a basic accounting solution to the higher-end Peachtree Quantum, which can handle up to 40 users simultaneously, Peachtree remains an excellent solution for today’s business owner. Peachtree by Sage Quantum – Accountants Edition varies somewhat in that it is designed for professional accountants who wish to manage their clients’ books electronically. Look for a classic, understated look with Peachtree 2010. The 2010 version also contains a wide array of updates and enhancements that will be addressed throughout this review.

From the June 2009 Review of Small Business Accounting Systems: Tier II

EASE OF USE/BASIC FUNCTIONALITY:
Peachtree continues to maintain an easy-to-navigate user interface. New users will find setting up companies a breeze when using the setup wizard. One of the best features of the Accountant’s Edition of Peachtree is its ability to allow accountants to create a new company for a client using any one of the Peachtree editions available. In other words, if your first client is using Peachtree Premium Accounting 2010 for Manufacturing, and your second client is using Peachtree Premium Accounting 2010, you’ll be able to create both new companies using your same version. The capabilities and features of that particular version are then passed on to you when you access that particular company so you can set up your clients’ files to reflect their capabilities and limitations, and those same capabilities and limitations will be mirrored in the Accountant’s Edition.

You can now also create a new company on-the-fly by using the Restore Wizard, which allows you to restore to either an existing company or simply create a new one. Peachtree Navigation Centers continue to be the centerpiece of all Peachtree products, with centers found on the left side of the main interface screen. A menu bar at the top of the screen also offers access to various product functions such as Lists, Maintain, Tasks, Analysis, Options, Reports & Forms, and Services. Accountants can easily tailor each screen to fit the needs of their individual clients, displaying relevant reports, graphs and other information tools. Data-entry screens are easily navigated, with lookup options and drop-down menus available throughout.

CORE ACCOUNTING/SECURITY FUNCTIONS:
Peachtree Quantum offers solid accounting functionality, including GL, AR, AP and Payroll features, along with a comprehensive Inventory module. Peachtree’s Accountant’s Edition focuses on features that assist accountants with managing their clients’ books. These features include the excellent Internal Accounting Review that allows searching for common accounting errors. The Cash Management feature provides a quick snapshot of all of your clients’ financial positions. New in Peachtree Quantum 2010 is an improved transaction history, the new Customer Management Center, the ability to open multiple companies simultaneously, and the new Peachtree Resource Center. New specifically in Peachtree Quantum is the My Dashboard feature that allows dashboard personalization so you can display only the items relevant to you and your clients. Peachtree Quantum 2010 also offers more extensive system security options.

REPORTING & MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS:
The biggest strength of Peachtree Quantum Accountant’s Edition can be found in its management and reporting options. This includes the option to access and run reports for all of your client companies no matter what version of Peachtree they are currently using. In addition to the more than 145 standard reports included in Peachtree, you’ll also receive Crystal Reports, which contains 21 custom reports created by Peachtree. This includes the specialty reports that are included in vertical market versions of Peachtree such as Manufacturing, Nonprofits, and Retail and Service. All available reports are listed alphabetically in the Reporting Center, with a report description included. All reports can be exported to third-party applications such as Microsoft Excel or Word, and financial statements can be prepared and emailed to recipients directly from the print screen.