2012 Review of Araize Software FastFund Nonprofit Accounting

Araize Inc. — FastFund Nonprofit Accounting
800-745-4037
www.araize.com

From the Nov. 2012 Review of Nonprofit Accounting Systems.

Best Fit: FastFund is well-suited for smaller nonprofits that are looking for an affordable product that offers flexibility and scalability. FastFund Nonprofit Accounting is designed by CPA’s and is well suited for small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations and is available in both standard and premium versions.

Strengths

• Extremely scalable with 2 versions
• Can be purchased as a desktop or Saas product
• Modules can be purchased as needed
• Easy to use system interface requires little training time
• Excellent reporting and report customization capability

Potential Limitations

• Phasing out desktop version soon
• No document management function available

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS: 4.5 Stars
FastFund is currently available as both a desktop system as well as an SaaS deliverable. The Araize user interface screen is easily navigated, with users able to flip between an accounting screen and a fundraising screen. The user interface is consistent throughout the product, making it easy to learn. A menu bar at the top contains categories such as Dashboard, Lists, Transactions, and Cost Allocations. FastFund Accounting includes GL, AP, AR, and Cost Allocations modules.

The GL includes Cash Receipts, Cash Disbursements, Fund Accounting, Internal Controls, Bank Reconciliation, and Budgeting. Add-on modules available include both FastFundraising, and FastFund Payroll. FastFund is available in both a standard version as well as a premium version and can be purchased as a desktop product or delivered as an SaaS product for additional flexibility and scalability.

CORE NFP/FUND ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES: 4.75 Stars
The premium version of FastFund Nonprofit offers a six segment account structure, with each segment up to 6 characters in length. Each segment is predefined, identifying cost center, program, and funding sources. This structure makes it easy to define each account number entered into the system.

FastFund easily handles multiple transaction types, using the transactions tab on the main screen including cash disbursements, cash receipts, client billing, journal entries, and recurring transactions. FastFund allows users to easily import budgets using a .csv file format. Users can revise an uploaded budged at any time, or upload a revision of an existing budget.

Budgets are created for each department in and organization as well as for each grant or program. Users can allocate totals automatically or can adjust budget totals accordingly. The separate fundraising module provides easy donor management and cultivation capability including the ability to track each donor or constituents personal and professional relationship, affiliations, actions, and gifts.

While there is no dedicated grant management feature, the FastFund account structure makes it easy to track grant funds separately. Any interfunds that are created in FastFund Accounting allows users to set up multiple funds with multiple fiscal years, so each fund or program can be closed at the appropriate time.

FastFund Accounting contains excellent audit trail functionality, with the ability to track all system transactions throughout the program, with audit reporting available as well. FastFund allows users to email invoices to vendors and donors. The SaaS version allows users to access the system from any location. FastFund will also interface with 3^rd party applications such as credit card processing for both donations and payments.

MANAGEMENT FEATURES: 4.25 Stars
The Dashboard feature allows management to set up dashboards for easy financial reporting. Budgets can be set up for each grant or fund that needs to be tracked. The Cost Allocations function allows users to create ‘what if’ scenarios by looking at budgets before and after the allocation is posted.