2013 Review of AccountantsWorld – Accounting Relief

AccountantsWorld – Accounting Relief
888-999-1366 ext 517
www.AccountantsWorld.com

Best Fit: Public accountants providing write-up services for multiple clients, who also want to take their firm and clients to a web-based solution that gives the professional anytime access to their clients’ live data, eliminating data transfer.

Strengths

• Integrated web-based professional and client-side bookkeeping
• Anytime access to live client data, with no data transfer necessary
• Redesigned interfaces supports all web and mobile browsers
• Client portals and collaboration features are core elements of system
• Customization of reports client letters, templates and financial reporting

Potential Limitations

• Batch processing functions are limited
• Client-side bookkeeping best designed for small service businesses

From the February 2013 review of Client Write-Up systems.

AccountantsWorld has been around for about 30 years, and was the first to develop web-based programs specifically designed for public accountants. The company’s Accounting Relief system is two-sided: providing firms with write-up, GL, AR, AP and total management capabilities, while also providing online client accounting that is a part of the professional’s system, eliminating data transfer. AccountantsWorld also offers practice management, document management, payroll, payroll compliance, website building tools and other systems for accounting firms.

Basic System Functions: 4.75 Stars

With the client side bookkeeping actually a part of the professional’s primary accounting solution, firms have greater control and access to live client data at any time. Perhaps it’s simplest to envision it as you would online banking: You have access to your account data, as well as several tools and documents via your online portal, and so do the thousands of other people who use the same bank. But you aren’t using your own system, you’re simply using a very tailored part of the bank’s computing system, with no access to the other customer accounts or the back-end financial management systems the bank uses.

Accounting Relief is somewhat similar, with each client having access to their bookkeeping tools, which can be tailored specifically for different users at the business. But that online bookkeeping system is actually a part of the larger firm solution, so all client data is immediately available to the accountant, and is always live. And never has to be transferred or synched. This also helps when troubleshooting client transactions and entry errors in real time.

When an accountant logs into the program from their web browser, the primary screen offers text-based menus for moving to various program areas for adding clients, client overviews, firm options, document management or opening clients from a selection list. The latest enhancements to the system include a redesign of the interface so that it now works on all major browsers and mobile devices. Screens have been enhanced and now include information buttons for quick access to pop-up help.

Professionals can also utilize the Accounting Relief Mobile app, which gives access to many of the system’s features. Users can see data, run exception and GL reports, view registers and transactions, and manage payables, customer balances and income expense summaries.

Accounting Relief includes full GL, AR, AP, client management and financial reporting tools, and includes system alerts that can be used to remind firm users of pending tasks. The program can be used to manage any number of clients, and offers full customization of charts of accounts, general journals, write-up and reconciliation functions, processing live and customizable client invoicing. An optional module is available for after-the-fact payroll and compliance.

Core Write-Up Features: 4.75 Stars

One of the key advantages of integrating the firm’s professional accounting system with a bookkeeping system for clients is that firm staff always has access to live client data. The system includes fully customizable charts of accounts, or users can copy charts from existing companies or select from and customize chart templates for more than 30 industry-types.