2012 Review of Intuit ProSeries Fixed Asset Manager

Intuit ProLine – ProSeries Fixed Asset Manager
800-934-1040
http://accountants.intuit.com/tax/proseries/add-ons/fixed-asset-manager.jsp

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

Best Fit: Professional firms serving the tax and accounting needs of clients with asset bases that are growing more complex in terms of size and strategic depreciation planning. As it offers direct integration, it is most beneficial to firms using ProSeries.

Strengths

• Direct integration with ProSeries
• Easy-to-use interface and navigation, with ample help functions
• Supports departments, locations, cost centers and other sub-entities
• Reporting output to Word, Excel and PDF
• Unlimited years of asset projections

Potential Limitations

• No RFID or barcode scanning integration for inventories
• Limited consolidation/mass asset action functions

Intuit offers several add-on options to its ProSeries professional tax system that are focused on increasing firm productivity, and among these is the ProSeries Fixed Asset Manager. Technically, the system can be used either as an add-on to the tax system, or as a stand-alone program, providing support for all common depreciation methods, depreciation projections throughout asset lives, and offering up to six depreciation books per asset. Other add-on solutions for ProSeries include digital data import, document management, scanning solutions, client organizers and e-payment solutions.

Basic System Functions: 4.5 Stars

The primary interface for ProSeries Fixed Asset Manager is similar to that of the tax program, which provides an intuitive structure with navigation menus across the top offering access to key system functions. A variety of customization options include setting preferences for data fields, display and screen view options, as well as choosing default file and export locations. User and client-level security settings can be applied to restrict access.

While setting up new clients and assets, the program offers wizards that help users select tax year, short years, default depreciation methods and other options. Users can also copy defaults from existing clients or create custom templates. The main work area of the program is the Client Base, which is similar to the one in the tax program, and shows a searchable and sortable spreadsheet list of all clients. Selecting a client brings up a tabbed view that is centered on the entity asset list, which also allows various methods of sorting and filtering, with columnar information for ID, acquisition date, cost, basis and convention.

When working with individual assets, users can view more detailed information on cost, disposals, projections, an asset calendar and a side-by-side view of all of the assets’ books. Additional tabs at the bottom give access to depreciation schedules and other information. The data detail screens double as the data entry sheet, with calculations automatically performed as information is entered or edited, or when depreciation method or asset type are changed. A global edit function allows users to make changes to a group of assets or to all belonging to a client entity.

The system provides intuitive navigation and several wizards to assist in performing tasks, as well as tools for performing the Sec. 179 test and depreciation totals. ProSeries Fixed Asset Manager supports any number of assets for any number of clients. When installed on a firm’s network, any number of firm staff can work in the program simultaneously.

Core Asset Management Features: 3.75 Stars

ProSeries Fixed Asset Manager includes tools for managing all asset life events, including acquisitions, disposals, splitting, like-kind exchanges, transfers, sales and losses. It does not offer mass acquisition or disposal options. Assets can be grouped by department, location, GL accounts, categories and other methods, but the program does not allow consolidation of distinctly separate entities. (Sub-entities that are part of the same larger one can be rolled up.)