2013 Review of Intuit - QuickBooks Accountant 2013
Core Write-Up Features: 4.5 Stars
QuickBooks Accountant 2013 includes full GL, AP, AR and check writing modules, plus an array of multi-client management tools designed for write-up and multi-client management. The program includes tools for entering client transactions individually or via a batch processes, and a new Excel feature can be used to copy/paste more than 1,000 transactions at a time.
The program’s client data review tools allow users to reclassify hundreds of transactions at once, and accountants can perform write-offs of invoices with only a few mouse clicks. Corresponding sales taxes on transactions are handled by automatically posting a credit memo instead of a discounted payment. For reconciliation, the program’s review tools include the ability to quickly find non-matching transactions, instantly match unapplied vendor and customer payments and credits, and clear the undeposited funds account all on one screen. Additional tools in QuickBooks Accountant 2013 include inventory trouble shooting that helps spot discrepancies between the balance sheet and inventory valuation summary report, with the ability to quickly drill down to inventory counts and make adjustments.
The Accountant’s Copy feature allows electronic sending of client files from the client to the accountant, and then back again, which allows the client to continue using the program even while the accountant is performing adjusting entries, reconciling accounts or performing other tasks. The files are encrypted and transmitted securely.
The program includes check writing features that allow multiple banks per client, while an optional third party add-on to QuickBooks lets users print to plain paper or check stock, including client logos. QuickBooks Accountant 2013 includes benchmarking, financial ratios and analysis tools from the Accountant Center home screen or from client snapshots.
Reporting & Financial Statements: 4.5 Stars
QuickBooks Accountant has more than 100 customizable management report options for areas such as revenue, budgets, cash flow and period comparisons, and users can easily add charts, graphs and pivot tables. Also in the program are customizable client communication templates for cover sheets, letters and other documents. The full receivables management and invoicing utilities in the system offer batch generation of client invoices that can be printed or emailed to clients from the program. Online payment tools are available as an option.
The system includes the QuickBooks Statement Writer, a utility that offers full financial statement generation with linked editing in Excel and Word, as well as a “live-link” feature that can automatically update on-screen viewed reports with the latest data with one click. Reports offer full drill-down to transaction-level details.
Also included in the program is a trial balance utility that provides beginning balances, current period transactions, period adjustments and ending balances for a user-defined time frame, with options for entering workpaper references and making adjusting entries.
Import/Export/Integration: 4.75 Stars
As noted previously, QuickBooks Accountant also includes all of the industry-specific versions of QuickBooks, making it easy to import client company files. The QuickBooks File Manager automatically recognizes the year and correct format to save the files into, so that client files aren’t inadvertently saved to the wrong format. The system can also import and export data from and to spreadsheets and CSV files, and has various wizards and guides to help with these tasks. Users can also save reports to Excel and PDF formats.
While there are no full portals for sharing and storing documents and other files, the Accountants Copy feature in both the Accountant and business-side versions of QuickBooks lets business users electronically and securely send their accountant a copy of their files for a defined time-frame, with just a few clicks. This allows clients and the firm to continue working within their own systems. When adjusting entries and data corrections have been made, the file is then sent back to the business and easily updated in their system.
