2012 Review of A-Systems Visual Bookkeeper

Dashboard overview screens include sections for Cash, Credit Cards, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, with users having the option to view straight data or graphs of key business indicators, including YTD totals and comparisons for the additional areas of Profit, Payroll, Equipment and Purchase Orders.

Business reporting features are easy to use with the ability to customize standard reports using the built-in report generator to tailor any of the large library of stock reports or creating the from scratch. One notable feature in Visual bookkeeper that is not found in the other products reviewed was a comparison of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable between the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers to identify imbalances. A “Trouble Scan” button then helps users identify possible reasons for out of balance situations.

Other reporting capabilities are further enhanced with the ability to use ODBC to read the database. Additional reports can be created with “FormMaker “an imbedded report writer or DataView , a query program with selected fields & filters at additional cost.

Security is based on individual users and rights are assigned based on menu options and features.

Integration, Import and Export: 4 Stars

Users can import list data such as Vendor, Customer, and Employee lists and transactions can be imported from Invoices, Timesheets, and General Ledger entries. All reports can also be exported to Microsoft Excel or Word. Data Transfer is supported with a General Ledger Journal Import/Export add-on at a cost of $100 for the base version and $250 for the top of the line version.

Direct integration to outside accounting programs is not available, but a free copy of Visual Bookkeeper is offered to accounting firms with clients who are on the system.

Help and Support: 4.75 Stars

The company’s support website includes technical bulletins, FAQs, program updates and tax table updates, while live and advanced support is offered through annual support contracts at $500 a year, for any number of users, add-on modules and programs. Support includes unlimited access to a live support hotline, program updates, U.S.-based staff, email support and training videos on every installation and update CD. A-Systems also hosts two user conferences per year, allowing small businesses or accounting firms to get advanced, live training and hands-on advice from professional staff.

Summary & Pricing

Visual Bookkeeper is a good choice for a business that needs strong core accounting features, built-in payroll and inventory functions, with options for additional warehousing and point-of-sale capabilities. The support and user conferences will help the user get the most out of the product and create a valuable network of professionals. Pricing for the base version of Visual Bookkeeper starts at $79.95, with the ability to add any number of additional users. The top of the line version starts at $995 and is equally expandable.

Visual Bookkeeper supports an unlimited number of users, each additional user license is $100 for the base version and $250 for the top of the line version and no annual fees per seat.

2012 Overall Rating: 4.75 Stars