2012 Review of BNA Fixed Assets DesktopPro

Bloomberg BNA – BNA Fixed Assets DesktopPro
800-424-2938
www.bnasoftware.com

From the Dec. 2012 review of fixed asset management systems.

Best Fit: Accounting professionals serving the asset management and depreciation needs of mid-sized and larger clients with potentially complex depreciation strategies. The system is also widely-used in-house by enterprises and government entities.

Strengths

• Global/group/departmental edit capabilities
• Intuitive interface with multiple wizards for asset life management/mass actions
• System can be used locally or networked on firm servers (an online version is also available)
• Can manage multiple entities with consolidations
• Good user customization options

Potential Limitations

• No direct integration with tax preparation system, although can export reports into common file types

BNA Fixed Assets DesktopPro, from Bloomberg BNA, is a comprehensive asset management system designed either for use by accounting professionals with multiple clients, or for in-house use by enterprises and government entities with multi-departmental management needs. The program supports all standard treatments and conventions, allows user-customization, and includes many automated tools for determining the most effective depreciation strategies, as well as for tracking and inventorying assets. BNA Fixed Assets is available as an installed or online program (BNA Fixed Assets Web).

Basic System Functions: 5 Stars

Initial installation and setup of BNA Fixed Assets DesktopPro is simple and guided with several wizards. (For the online version, of course, no actual installation is required.) Client data entry is simplified with templates and the option to copy existing settings from other clients when creating the database, including default settings for asset types, books and reporting options. Users can also create custom queries and project lists, and can change asset fields or create custom data entry defaults.

With more than 30 wizards throughout the program, there is always some form of interactive help to guide users through processes such as asset acquisitions and disposals, exchanges and transfers. The system uses the Windows Explorer folder directory for client selection, which is somewhat limited in search and filter options.

Within client databases, however, the asset selection screens offer much greater functionality, providing a spreadsheet display of all assets for the client, and making it simple to select or copy assets or perform asset life-event actions. Other features include tabbed screens for viewing assets, books, queries, asset types, reports, GL exports and other key program areas. Newly added is an Asset Preview feature that allows users to turn the lower half of the Asset List into a preview section.

BNA Fixed Assets DesktopPro provides users with three asset detail entry modes, including the most detailed individual asset information screens. Other options are an express entry worksheet for multiple asset entry, and a guided wizard feature. Users can also import data from other fixed assets programs and spreadsheets. Users can perform mass asset acquisitions using either the express or wizard entry modes (mass disposals can be performed via the wizard).

As noted, the detailed asset information screens offer the most specific data, providing tabbed views of general information, accumulated depreciation/balance, depreciation expenses and transfer/disposal information. Users can also attach digital images or other documents to asset records, such as service logs and warrantees. The program can be used to manage any number of organizations, including subsidiary units, with up to 10,000 assets each. It can be used by any number of firm staff one at a time and offers a client database security function (the Web version allows multi-user simultaneous access, creation and assignment of user roles, and assignment of roles and rights to user groups for maximum flexibility and security).

Core Asset Management Features: 5 Stars