Contents of CPA Practice Advisor - MAR 2012

Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.

Page 16 of 38

eTEK International Inc. - eTEK Accounting 2012 OVERALL RATING
BEST FIT eTEK is well-suited for smaller construction
companies that require fl exibility and custom- ization capability and is currently being marketed as a "next step up" from off -the shelf products.
STRENGTHS • Updated and redesigned for Microsoſt Offi ce 2010
• Solid Equipment Management module comes standard with product
• Good accounting functionality • Excellent job tracking capability
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • No scheduling or dispatch function available
• Limited document management capability eTEK Accounting for Microsoſt Offi ce
2010 from eTEK International is a fully integrated accounting software product off ering the construction industry a higher level of fl exibility while off ering users an easy to use interface designed using Microsoſt Offi ce 2010 design. Looking ahead, eTEK plans on releasing a new version later this year that will take advantage of Microsoſt Offi ce 365, utilizing cloud-based technology for easier system access.
BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS eTEK 's user interface is designed around the
Microsoſt 2010 Offi ce user interface, making system navigation particularly easy for experi- enced Offi ce users. T e main user interface utilizes a series of function icons, with soſt ware modules listed below. Clicking on an icon will reveal all related functions found within that category. Similarly, clicking on a particular module will display all of the features that can be found within that module, making even initial system navigation fairly straightforward. Along with easy system navigation, eTEK
off ers easily navigated data entry screens, with all the necessary look up options available to users. Users can choose from a variety of data entry methods that will suit their style and their needs. T e recent addi- tion of Executive Dashboards allows users to quickly access vital data. T e executive dashboard is completely customizable and can be designed during the initial system setup and implementation, and is off ered to both company CEO's and CFO's at no additional cost. For additional financial reporting options, use the inquiry screens
800-888-6894
which will display both job and fi nancial data as needed. eTEK also provides users with the capability to create a job template that can
be saved for future use. eTEK is available as either a traditional
desktop product or as a SaaS product, pro- viding users with a choice of soſt ware delivery methods. Built specifi cally for a Windows platform, eTEK works with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
CORE ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES Maintaining its fl exibility, users can choose to enter data into the GL in real time or use the batch system for bet er transaction control. Real time processing also means that users can enter and post data to any fi nancial period at any time. System fl exibility also extends to the GL account setup, where users can use up to 4 segments, which can contain up to 9 digits. Recurring journal entries can be saved in the system, and both sales and work orders can be added on the fly. The system can handle multiple cash accounts for easier transaction tracking, and invoice templates can be created and saved, eliminating the need to recreate an invoice for each billing. eTEK's AR module off ers system fl exibility, allowing to post pay- ments as desired. Users can also create multiple billing types, which include industry standard AIA billings. T e new HR module, which is included in the payroll module (or as a standalone module) contains a complete employee management system including benefi ts administration, workers compensation, and all certifi cations. T e HR module also
generates essential reports as needed. eTEK also offers a solid selection of
financial modules which includes Cash Management, Purchasing, and Inventory. All system transactions are tracked in eTEK, providing users with solid audit trail func- tionality. Multi-level security is available with both menu and function level security available.
CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTOR-
SPECIFIC FEATURES eTEK's fl exibility continues with its job cost functions, giving users the option to create estimates at any level of the job. Another terrifi c feature is the Estimates to Complete function, which allows project managers and supervisors the ability to review job costs at any phase of
the job, providing good management, and good cost controls. Users can enter estimates in a variety of categories including job materials, and employee/contractor labor and overtime hours, if applicable. Each job entered into the system has a complete master fi le where all project and cost detail and be reviewed. Users can enter project change orders with all changes automatically tracked. Customer tracking capability allows users to track all levels of customer activity including all a detailed transaction history, payment detail and average discounts, if any. Users can also easily compare actual costs against estimates, with drill-down capability available throughout eTEK. All AIA billing information is easily tracked, with users able to search for AIA billings based on a variety of criteria. Like customer tracking, a detailed vendor history is easily available including order history and payment terms. eTEK's payroll module tracks employee information such as salary history and tax deductions, and other deductions as needed. T e Inventory module allows users to
define inventory products to suit user business type, and users can defi ne min- imum/maximum inventory levels for bet er inventory management. Non-inventory items can also be setup and billed as needed, and multiple inventory location tracking is available. The Purchasing module offers complete integration with the job cost module, and extensive drill-down capability allows users to access complete supplier information down to the originating docu- ment. T e Equipment Management module allows users to track equipment usage against specifi c projects and jobs. Equip- ment serial numbers can also be entered into the system, while users can also attach equipment images and detailed notes as needed.
REPORTING & MANAGEMENT TOOLS eTEK off ers users a good selection of standard
reports which includes the comprehensive Estimates Report, which provides users with a recap of all estimated labor, materials, and equipment costs by job. T e Job Cost Report
www.etek.net March 2012 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com 17
offers an in-depth view of each job, and Work-In-Progress reports provide an excellent picture of where each job is, and the required amount needed to complete. All reports are professional in appearance, and the report wizard off ers users excellent report customiza- tion capabilities. AIA compliant invoicing is available in eTEK, and templates can be created in various modules throughout eTEK. All eTEK reports are easily exported using a variety of formats including PDF, XPS, Excel, Word or Text or emailed to recipients directly from the
print screen. Remote access is available using eTEK's SaaS option.
INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT All eTEK modules integrate seamlessly, providing users with a comprehensive fi nancial product. Excellent integration with Microsoſt Offi ce products increased software effective, and
provides a seamless link for bet er reporting. eTEK also allows easy importing of data from third-party estimating programs.
HELP/SUPPORT eTEK contains solid Help functionality within
the product. Users videos are also available to guide new users through the product. Various support agreements are also available, with support costs generally running about 20% of the soſt ware costs. eTEK also provides all users with a private FTP site, where they can access and download system updates and enhance- ments as needed, as well as access FAQ's and other information as needed.
SUMMARY & PRICING eTEK has recently announced reduced pricing
for their soſt ware, hoping to target smaller construction companies. A single-user system which includes GL, AP, AR, Cash Management, CRM, Job Cost with Equipment and AIA billing is now less than $2,800.00, a reduction of more than $1,000.00, making it a logical and aff ordable solution to smaller construction companies that have outgrown off -the-shelf soſt ware products.