P.C. Software Accounting, Inc. -- Client Write-Up for Windows

P.C. Software Accounting, Inc. first
issued its MS-DOS product in 1985.
In 1997, a complete rewrite of the
MS-DOS product was undertaken to
take advantage of the 32-bit technology
of Microsoft Windows. Both products
survive today as hundreds of users
are still using their DOS systems.
However, I did not test the DOS
product.

Client Write Up consists of GL,
after-the-fact payroll, bank reconciliation
and financial reporting. The program
has the ability to convert data
from many other vendors’ write-up
systems – a real plus for
a quick start to setup.

The single-user price for new users
is $1,195; the five-user network
price for new users is $1,295. Both
include an integrated after-the-fact
payroll and also bank reconciliation.
The package price includes six months
of unlimited WATS support and the
W2 and 1099 update for the upcoming
year. System orientation and training
is provided at no charge. After
that, annual support for single
users is $250, and annual support
for the five-user network system
is $350.

For both of the above options, if
the user desires an updated program
for W2s and 1099s, for subsequent
years, it is an additional $100
each year besides the $250 or $350
annual support fee. There are no
per-call fees for support, and there
are no update fees; if updates are
released, users automatically get
them, if they are on support. The
company also offers advanced training
seminars at centralized locations
around the country. The cost for
these seminars is $140 per person.

LEARNING CURVE & EASE OF USE – 4 Stars
Setup is logical and driven by menus
and sub-menus. Data entry is quick
and heads-down. Entry screens are
comprehensive, allowing the user
freedom in data entry with smart
lookup and auto-balancing features
available to assist in lookup or
account creation on the fly.

REPORTING & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – 3.5 Stars

Financial Reports are automatically
generated by the system based upon
answers to accounting information
provided by the user during client
setup. Modifications can be made
to the system-generated financial
statements. Custom statements may
also be created from “scratch,”
based upon a columnar form using
system-provided formatting conventions.
I found this somewhat confusing.
In my judgment, the learning curve
is not fast here. Financial statement
instructions and documentation in
the user’s manual weren’t
overly helpful. This portion of
the manual needs to be rewritten
and rearranged. There is a separate
Flexible Report Writer available
for “one-of-a-kind”
reports that cannot be generated
in Financial Statements.

INTEGRATION, IMPORT/EXPORT & PRODUCTION PROCESSING – 4 Stars
The Windows Computer Checkbook,
a 32-bit Windows product, is a companion
to Client Write Up, and can be supplied
to clients for their use. Checkbook
can handle regular, payroll and
payable transactions. And information
accumulated directly interfaces
to Client Write Up, allowing for
increased write-up efficiency. Windows
Checkbook supports MICR and direct
deposit of employee payroll check
writing. Alternatively, Checkbook
can be used as a data-entry template
or to serve clients in a “service
bureau like” capacity. A highly
customized tax export feature is
available to TaxWise users with
whom P.C Software has a special,
cooperative relationship. Tax export
is also available to other tax programs
via various specialized or generic
bridges. Import is available from
Checkbook, Quicken and QuickBooks.
As well, Client Write Up supports
generic data import through Excel.
(The company noted that it can also
automatically produce HTML and *.PDF
files for its reports if desired
by the user. This allows users to
export to programs like Excel and
Microsoft Word as well as e-mail
reports to clients.)

SCALABILITY & PORTABILITY – 3.5 Stars

Windows is the future of computing,
and Client Write Up was re-written
to take full advantage of the 32-bit
Windows environment and functionality.
That said, the user manual instructs
network users that “systems
be installed on the local drive
C of the computer and the network
drive. Following this recommendation
leads to faster and easier operation
with fewer network problems. Only
the system needs to be loaded on
each workstation.” Say it
isn’t so? So every time the
networked user gets an update, they
have to load at each workstation?
Why can’t workstations simply
grab the server-located executable
files and bring them across the
wire to run locally?

SUPPORT, TRAINING & HELP SYSTEM – 4 Stars
Screen-sensitive help is available.
Also, written documentation is available
in user manuals for Client Write
Up and Checkbook. Hands-on training
is also available.

INTERVIEWS ‘ WHAT USERS HAD TO SAY

Users told us they are “very
pleased,” and that “P.C.
Software listens.”

They also commented, “Updates
are not available on the web but
usually are very simple. They send
you a disk that loads in two minutes
tops.”

One user stated, “We have
used the program for 12 years. Setup
was easy, and the learning curve
was very easy. We use hands-on training
and the Lacerte bridge. Bugs are
fixed quickly, usually by e-mailing
a fix.”

2004 OVERALL RATING: 4

The choice of a write-up program should be based in large part on identifiable attributes of the write-up program that best fits the sum of the individual needs of the practice. In no particular order, factors that lead to the sum include setup & learning curve; training & support; program pricing & cost of updates; data conversion, maintenance & storage; efficiency & flexibility; and integration with a practitioner’s other programs (tax, payroll, analysis, word processing, etc.). Finally, throw in a wild card ‘ the practitioner’s overall dedication to technology.

Technology