Convey Compliance Systems, Inc. — 1099Convey Desktop Edition

From the Oct. 2007 Review of W-2/1099
Systems

The 1099Convey Desktop Edition provides year-end information return compliance
for all 1098 and 1099 forms, in addition to 5498, W-2, W-2G, W-9n 1042-S and
B-Notices. The system can print to plain paper and pre-printed stock and also
offers built-in electronic filing functions for both IRS and SSA reporting.
The vendor also offers a variety of related services, including outsourced reporting
and compliance, managed withholding remittances, TIN verification, and web and
print service options. The network-ready 1099Convey Desktop Edition costs $495
for the first year for a single-user version capable of 3,000 transactions per
year. Annual program renewals are priced at $350.

Usability/Navigation – 4.5 Stars
1099Convey’s primary interface provides icons for accessing a tax forms
library as well as Payer, Recipient and Output functions, while a button bar
extends across the window that offers direct links to all of the forms available
within the program. Selection lists for payers and recipients display and allow
sorting only by TIN, while the screens display more detailed information for
the selected payer entity. 1099Convey offers the ability to duplicate payer
and recipient records when creating new ones. New payers or edits to existing
ones are entered on line-based forms. The program offers several customization
options for the interface, including the data-entry screens.

After selection of either a payer business or recipient, users can jump directly
into form creation by selecting the appropriate document from the menu. Initially,
this brings up a list of currently existing forms for that payer or recipient.
New ones can be created by selecting the Insert icon, which brings up a screen
that allows entry of financial and tax information. The screens include several
useful features, such as simple navigation, pull-down selection lists for payer
and recipient, auto-fill of city and state information by asking for ZIP Code
first, and a forms view that is quickly available from an icon at the top of
the screen. The program shares data throughout, as needed, allowing changes
to recipient or payer information to automatically stream to forms and reports,
thereby preventing incorrect data from remaining and minimizing redundant data
entry.

While the system does not offer data input directly onto form replicas, entry
screens follow form design, and the program automatically calculates SSI and
Medicare withholding, with the ability to override these amounts if necessary.
An audit trail tracks all changes to payer and recipient information. Data can
also be imported from several accounting programs using a wizard that simplifies
the task of mapping and acquiring the data. 1099Convey also provides an easy
process for creating corrections.

Reporting & Import/Export Capabilities – 4 Stars
1099Convey’s output capabilities include the ability to query and print
user-specified reports for virtually any data within the program, allowing users
to sort and filter criteria as needed or to display specific fields. Reports
and forms can be printed either to plain paper or pre-printed stock. The program
can export to Microsoft Excel or text formats and offers import directly from
Excel, ODBC and ASCII. As well, the import mapping wizard can pull client data
from most other accounting programs. Convey also offers a Print Services option
for outsourcing all statement printing and mailing responsibilities to the vendor.

Support for Paperless Transmission – 4.5 Stars
The 1099Convey system supports electronic and magnetic media filing, with the
program easing the process of selecting which records to prepare for transmittal,
formatting them appropriately, and then either transferring the data to disk
or uploading the information to the IRS and SSA. The system’s Transmittal
utility includes reporting options for checking and balancing totals and other
review functions. Convey’s Taxport Solution provides outsourced compliance,
including transmittals, information returns processes and all filings, as well
as creation of payee statements.

Help/Training – 4.5 Stars
The program provides good assistance features, including screen-specific Help
and various wizards that guide users through processes. Additionally, data-entry
functions are eased through the inclusion of payer and recipient selection lists.
An online support center and FAQs provide additional guidance. The company includes
toll-free technical support with the price of the program.

2007 Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars