2012 Review of CYMA 13: Financial Management System

CYMA Systems, Inc. – CYMA 13: Financial Management System
800-292-2962
www.cyma.com

From the Nov. 2012 Review of Client Write-Up Systems.

Best Fit: Professional firms offering write-up and reconciliation services to mid-sized and larger business clients, including consolidated entities and those with multiple locations or subsidiaries. The system can also be used in-house by such businesses.

Strengths

• Extensive user customization
• Strong reporting, customization, batch options and financials generation
• New streamlined reconciliation processes
• Comprehensive module options with strong integration
• Export to many file formats

Potential Limitations

• Module-based pricing
• Live support not included
• No client file sharing or portals

Having first debuted in 1996, the CYMA Financial Management System, now in its 13^th major version, is a comprehensive accounting and business management system that includes modules, utilities and tools small and mid-sized enterprises. Available modules include GL, AP, AR, live and after-the-fact payroll, bank reconciliation, grant tracking, HR tools, inventory, job costing, employee self service for payroll and HR, project tracking, and purchase and sales order management. This review looks at the core components generally utilized for client write-up functions. CYMA is also available in a version designed for non-profit entities.

Basic System Functions: 4.75 Stars

The CYMA interface is centered around the eDesk, a home page that provides numerous user customization options and can act as a business intranet, with the ability to custom brand the interface with the firm or business’ logo. Because this eDesk interface is built using HTML, it retains a very web-browser experience and can even be used as a browser, with the ability to add favorites to external websites or to specific program areas. Other options include the ability to show company news and information, display a user’s pending tasks and alerts, or show their calendar.

During initial setup of clients, wizards guide many data entry functions and import processes, while users can select from template charts of accounts for various industries, create custom ones, or copy from existing clients charts of accounts.

Actual work areas within the system use a more traditional interface for installed programs, with the Workflow and Control center screens providing access to specific CYMA modules and client information. Selection screens for clients, vendors and employees are displayed on spreadsheet screens that offer search, filter and sorting options, and data entry screens include many smart entry fields and selection lists. Data in the system is housed on a Pervasive database, and run-time version of that system is included with CYMA.

Core Write-Up Features: 5 Stars

Within the GL module, CYMA users have access to full GL, including options for consolidating GLs with unlimited levels, and options for combining selected accounts in summary or detail. Account structures for the parent entity can vary from the original subentities, and multiple child entity accounts can be mapped to a parent company account.

Users can create any number of customizable journals, with options for creating automatically recurring transactions, as well as allocated and automatic reverse posting. The system can manage any number of historical years, with up to 14 budgets per account and the ability to create accounts on-the-fly during journal entry. Users can customize many parts of the system’s journal entry screens, including descriptions, account types, sub-types and user-defined segments.

Drill-down functionality allows users to move quickly from the GL, financials, payrolls and other reports to transactions and journal entries. For business analysis, several calculators and financial ratios are included and accessible from the user’s home page. These include business valuations, cash flow, buy versus lease, amortizations, breakeven analyses and working capital needs.