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AccuFund — AccuFund Accounting Suite

877-872-2228www.accufund.com

From the Jan. 2009 Review
of Not-for-Profit Accounting Programs

AccuFund recently released the latest version of the AccuFund Accounting Suite,
version 3.07, for nonprofit, government and municipal agencies. Serving small
through large organizations with tailored modules, AccuFund offers something
for every operation and is well worth consideration.

EASE OF USE/FLEXIBILITY – 4.5 Stars
Simplicity rules the AccuFund interface with only six menu choices, and just
below, a taskbar to select the module the user wishes to access. Activity and
reports are offered as colorful icons within each module. Some icons have no
title, but hovering below the icon displays the full task description with a
little mouse-play. Once learned, these icons make for quick and easy access
to program functions.

AccuFund allows ultimate flexibility with 256 alphanumeric character account
numbers. The program also offers Dynamic Elements (for direct project costing)
that can be assigned. Import/Export capabilities abound, opening the structure
to integration. AccuFund also offers its complete system as a hosted solution,
allowing all the modules to be accessed from secure online servers. For the
accounting department, this eliminates software installation, upgrade, backup
and networking needs, to name a few. The logistical value of web access increases
options greatly for any nonprofit agency.

MODULES/SCALABILITY – 5 Stars
The AccuFund core system includes GL with budgeting, AP, Financial Report Writer,
Cash Receipting, Bank Reconciliation, System Security, Forms Designer, Data
Imports & Exports, and Dynamic Elements. As an organization’s needs
grow or change, additional modules can be added, including AR with Inventory
and Responsible Party Billing, Budget Development, Payroll and Labor Distribution,
Employee Time Entry, Grants Management, Human Resources, Fixed Assets, Allocation
Management, Purchasing with Inventory, Online Requisitions (requires Purchasing),
Loan Management and Custodial Checking. AccuFund also offers a Development and
Endowment stand-alone product.

AccuFund Accounting Suite offers a Professional Edition that allows for additional
security and control as more users and outsiders access the system. Professional
Edition features are available in most modules and stand-alone products: Purchase
Orders, Utility Billing and FASB/GASB Report Writer. Options like AFQuery (which
allows reporting access to executives), Client Accounting (to manage client
funds) and Web Payment (to automate collections) make AccuFund a comprehensive
solution.

FEATURES/FUNCTIONALITY – 4.5 Stars
The numerous options for uses of AccuFund may seem a little overwhelming at
first glance. Familiarity with the system will be critical to setting up your
operation’s functions. With that said, it is a valuable tool to meet organizational
accounting needs. Historical data is always available for reporting and can
be entered after the fact, so those migrating from other software can enter
past data for analysis. Automatic fund balancing can be set up within the chart
of accounts. Multiple year-end and budgets for grants can be maintained and
reported.

Data input, maintenance, import/export, deletion and numerous other options
are available in the task screens. This makes it very easy to locate and accomplish
each task as each screen is virtually the same. Because each screen looks so
similar, having multiple screens open, could lead to some confusion. Version
3.07 upgrades are numerous in virtually all modules. Just a few examples include
importing EFT transactions, electronic filing of 1099s, faster bank reconciliations
and improved budget maintenance. The Grants Management module has received many
updates, as well, including its own toolbar, new reports, application tools
and user-defined fields. Human Resources and Cash Receipts modules were also
extensively enhanced.

REPORTING – 5 Stars
AccuFund includes 16 predefined Financial Statements (including FASB 117 statements)
and the Financial Report Writer (FRW) within the core system. FRW allows for
excellent customization within the program and allows outputs to printer, e-mail,
PDF, HTML, Excel or CSV files. Reporting options allow drill down to original
transactions. The optional FASB/GASB Report writer increases these standard
offerings.

With dozens of module-specific re-ports, AccuFund offers excellent reporting
options. Most reports are accessible with-in the modules from the taskbar, allowing
for quick access with print and export options available. The Forms Designer
allows additional reporting/correspondence options for letters, donor acknowledgements
and receipts. Reporting up-dates include the ability to report on asset usage
and run controlled/sorted GL reports.

SUPPORT/HELP – 4.5 Stars
AccuFund requires one full year of support with an initial system order at 25
percent of retail price. Support/Maintenance includes unlimited toll-free calls
during support hours along with any released product enhancements.
AccuFund utilizes VARs to assist locally with implementation, training and support.
Program manuals are installed with the program and are very useful. Some web-based
support tools and training are available, as well.

RELATIVE VALUE – 4.5 Stars
The AccuFund Accounting Suites starts at $2,995 (single user) and $6,495 (three
users) with the core modules noted above. Additional modules range from $1,295
to $1,995 with additional users added at $895. The Professional Edition adds
approximately 20 percent to the investment for larger organizations. AFQuery
starts at $295 per user.

AccuFund’s database (Adaptive Server Anywhere) allows lean operation
and reduces total cost of ownership. Check the system requirements; the minimal
and even preferred are likely in place and maintainable in most organizations.
Overall, this is a very complete accounting system, designed with nonprofit
daily needs in mind. Once tailored to your organization’s needs, this
system is well worth consideration for any nonprofit or government agency.

2009 OVERALL RATING: