2009 Review of Not-for-Profit Accounting Programs

From the January 2009 Issue

For nonprofit organizations, change is a way of life. As creative as they
are diverse, the ever-changing landscape of granting opportunities, funding
requirements and reporting requests keep them agile. Discovering new ways to
recruit donor and volunteer support even in economic volatility — while
accomplishing their mission — happens time and again. Often, their choice
of accounting software limits their efficiency to what they can re-produce manually
to meet their divergent needs.

When considering accounting software for a nonprofit organization, management
needs must be considered. The management capabilities, while they cannot be
ignored, are as different for every group as their constituency and mission.
This review focuses purely on the accounting aspects of these software titles.
If management functions are not within the accounting software package, decisions
will ensue regarding possibilities of integration or, at the very least, import/export
capabilities to eliminate duplication of efforts. In many instances, particularly
in smaller organizations, accounting or management functions are performed by
volunteers, leading to emphasis in considering security, scalability, interface
and training options.

If you were trying to compare apples to pineapples, you may think they might
sound similar, but by simply looking at them, you realize they are not. In fact,
they are only alike in the fact that they are fruit. In size, structure and
price they vary greatly. Likewise, a local parent/teacher organization cannot
compare its structure with the likes of the United Way, although their accounting
and reporting needs are in many ways the same.

With the new Form 990 waiting in the wings, management of information has
become more critical than ever. While much of the form is simply rearranged,
the bulk of the new questionnaire is not the traditional financial focused.
However, since the questions fall into the arena of financial responsibility,
the capture of this information naturally falls into step with grant reporting
and contribution and payment records. The ability to capture the roles and relationships
of those interacting with our organizations has never been more critical. Rather
than asking us to maintain redundant databases and spreadsheets, our software
vendors that offer management modules, integration or customization will help
us meet these compliance needs.

Rather than rate these software titles comparatively, as they are different
fruit indeed, we have considered them in relation to the market they are designed
to serve. When searching for a nonprofit accounting package, researching the
needs and investment budget for the organization will give you the best basis
for that specific comparison. You can also then bring the management functions
into focus to potentially meet the nonprofit organization’s complete needs.

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AccuFund, Inc – AccuFund Accounting Suite: AccuFund recently released the latest version of
the AccuFund Accounting Suite, version 3.07, for nonprofit, government
and municipal agencies.; Read Full
Review

Blackbaud, Inc. – The Financial Edge: Blackbaud released version 7.77 of The Financial
Edge in late 2008. The solution is best suited for mid-size to large nonprofits
and turns accounting data into decision-making power. A true fund accounting
program, this powerful system is pleasant in appearance and workability.; Read Full
Review

Blackbaud, Kintera Division – Blackbaud Fundware: This year, FundWare has joined the ranks of Blackbaud
Software’s nonprofit family. Having a tried-and-true product since
the 1970s, FundWare continues to prove itself in this market sector.; Read Full
Review

Cougar Mountain Software – CMS Fund: Cougar Mountain Software offers CMS FUND for Nonprofits
as part of its CMS Professional 2009 lineup. CMS FUND is the vendor’s
flagship product, with over 25 years of experience serving small and mid-sized
organizations.; Read Full
Review

CYMA Systems, Inc. – CYMA Not-for-Profit Edition: CYMA’s tenth anniversary edition of its nonprofit
software boasts many improvements to the core product. CYMA Systems has
served mid-sized operations in the account-ing software industry since
1980.; Read Full
Review

SIDEBAR: FUND-EZ v. 10: Now in its 17th year, the scalable FUND E-Z accounting system is designed for mid-sized and larger nonprofit entities, providing functions geared to their unique needs.; Read Full
Review

GMS, Inc. – Accounting & Financial Management/Reporting System: GMS Accounting software was built specifically for
not-for-profit organizations with a specific focus on activity-based costing.
Rather than re-making ABC, job cost or commercial accounting software,
it was designed for nonprofits as a grant and contract accounting system.; Read Full
Review

Intuit – QuickBooks Premier NonProfit Edition 2009: QuickBooks prides itself in being user friendly.
From the menus to sharp graphical workflows of the customizable Home Page,
QuickBooks is easy to navigate and performs the functions needed.; Read Full
Review

Sage Software – Peachtree Accounting for Nonprofits 2009: Peachtree has offered small operations excellent
operational tools for years, and the latest version of its offering for
small to mid-size nonprofits is no exception. Peachtree by Sage Premium
Accounting for Nonprofits 2009 builds on the vendor’s strong reputation
with advanced accounting and analysis tools.; Read Full
Review

Sage Software – MIP: For more than 25 years, Sage MIP Fund Accounting
has been serving the needs of nonprofits with excellence; this year is
no exception. With many enhancements, particularly the Visual Analyzer
tool, Sage MIP is worthy of consideration by any nonprofit organization.; Read Full
Review

Serenic Software – Serenic Navigator: Serenic Navigator is a consistent performer in the
not-for-profit accounting realm. Designed for larger organizations, international
NGOs and public sector users, strength is the main virtue and best descriptor
for this product.; Read Full
Review

2008 Review of Not-for-Profit Accounting Programs — Comparison Chart

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For nearly 30 years, Anna has served nonprofit organizations as treasurer,
bookkeeper and board member in small and large causes. For the last 15 years,
she built on her practical experience as a tax professional and auditor at a
local firm. Now retired from CPA duties, she consults and teaches accounting
and software applications in the Northern Indiana and Chicago area. Anna is
nationally recognized for her expertise in nonprofit accounting as a perennial
conference speaker and author.