2012 Review of A-Systems Visual Bookkeeper

A-Systems Corporation — A-Systems Visual Bookkeeper
800.365.6790
www.a-systems.net

From the July 2012 Review of On-Premise SMB Accounting Systems

Best Fit: Visual Bookkeeper is a small business accounting and management system based on A-System’s powerful construction-focused flagship product JobView. The primary differences between the two is the inclusion of extensive job-costing functions and workflow utilities in JobView, while both offer strong accounting, GL, AP, AR, sales order management, contact management and built-in payroll capabilities. Visual Bookkeeper, which has been in on the market and in continual development with feedback from users for 34 years, also offers scalability as a business grows.

Strengths

• Intuitive overview screens
• Comprehensive GL, AP, AR, built-in Payroll
• Import of journal entries
• Depth of reporting and one-click export to spreadsheet

Potential Limitations

• No multi-currency capabilities
• Moderate inventory
• Limited integrated e-banking options

Basic System Functions: 4.5 Stars

The system’s friendly navigation starts with the opening screen of Visual Bookkeeper, which has a menu and icon bar across the top and icons for modules on the left sidebar. The system uses batch data entry and allows users to close periods to avoid posting to prior months. An unlimited number of fiscal periods can remain open. Visual Bookkeeper does not offer versions specifically designed for varying industries, but can be tailored to fit the needs of most. It is designed for use on Windows computers and does not support mobile devices.

Core Accounting Capabilities: 5 Stars

In addition to the core GL, AP and AR elements, the program’s built-in payroll capabilities are a distinguishing factor of Visual Bookkeeper. The complete payroll module is included in the system at no additional cost, and includes user-definable updates to payroll tax tables [users can update tax tables from our website for free] and changes in Federal tax forms for the current licensed year and following years with renewal licensing. All updates are sent on a CD. If using third-party payroll processing, users can import transactions and payroll into the GL, as well as export timesheet information, but the in-house payroll processing functions offer more comprehensive functionality. The full-time, built-in audit trail in Visual Bookkeeper tracks all transactions and records what was done, the date and the user who performed the action. This feature cannot be disabled. Multi-Currency is not supported in Visual Bookkeeper. The program does not offer direct support for multi-location installations or remote access data entry, however businesses can use Citrix or Terminal Services for similar functionality.

Day-To-Day Operations: 4.5 Stars

The program offers support for multiple checking accounts and automatic check and invoice voiding, as well as recurring invoices for AP and AR. Sales order management is included in Visual Bookkeeper, along with shipping integration with FedEx and UPS. Warehousing management (with multi-location and bar code scanning features) and point-of-sale options are available as add-on modules. As noted previously, A-Systems also offers the JobView program, which is designed for contractors and construction businesses, offering full job-costing and construction payroll features.

Once these modules are installed, Visual Bookkeeper will support using a bar code scanner to enter product codes, inventory valuation methods that include average cost, LIFO, FIFO, standard, last cost, average cost, and serial numbers.

A built-in credit card processing option is offered through a partnership with Mercury Payment Systems, and through integration with About Time, the program offers web-based timesheet entry by staff. Other remote access features are not native without using third party hosting or Citrix environments.

Management Features: 5 Stars