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Reviews For Your Clients NOT-FOR-PROFIT REVIEW SECTIONS BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS • Installation • General Navigation/Ease-of-Use • Modules • Scalability CORE NFP/FUND ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES • Account Structure/Types • Multiple Transaction Types • Budget Management/Tracking • Multiple Budget Types • Donor Management/Tracking • Grant Tracking • Automatic Fund Balancing • Multiple Year-End Closings • Audit Trail • E-Features MANAGEMENT FEATURES • Dashboards (snapshots) • What-If Analysis & Budgeting Scenarios • Security Features/User Roles • Spending Control Functions • Collections • Fundraising • Document Management Capabilities FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & REPORTING • Customization Capabilities • Financial Statements • FASB/GASB Reporting • Endowment/Grant Reporting • Reporting Export Options INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT • Data Transfer/Import • Integration w/vendor's other products • External Program Integration • Remote Accountant Access or On- line Accountant Data Transfer Tool HELP/SUPPORT • Built-in Support Features • System Updates • Support website/documentation • Training Options • Live Support Mary Girsch-Bock Mary began her career as an accountant in the property management industry, later moving into the healthcare industry. She is now a freelance writer specializing in business and technology issues and is the author of her fi rst book, several HR handbooks, training manuals, and other in-house publications. She can be reached at mary.girschbock@ cpapracticeadvisor.com. A 12 Products That Can Help Your Nonprofi t Clients s with most organizations, nonprofi ts vary in size and scope, and their soſt ware needs vary, as well. As an accounting professional, you know that the soſt ware needs of the local animal shelter will vary widely from the needs of the United Way. While this may be a drastic comparison, it really highlights the wide range of organizations served by nonprofit software vendors. Entry-level, off -the-shelf systems are intended for diff erent types of nonprofi ts than the top-line, robust solutions. T is is not a one-size-fits-all market. That's why it's important to ask and answer a few questions before helping your clients in their search for a nonprofi t soſt ware product. Here are just some of the questions your clients will need to answer: • How is the organization primarily funded; through donations or grants? • Does the organization typically do bi- annual or annual appeals? • Are products sold to benefi t the organi- zation? • What is the annual budget of the orga- nization? • Does the organization have one primary location or are there numerous locations that require access to the system? Having answers to these questions will go a long way toward fi nding the correct nonprofit software for your client. For instance, if an organization is not primarily funded by grants, a grants management module will be irrelevant, but a fundraising module may be a necessity. T is review breaks down some of the most important aspects of nonprofit soſt ware systems: Basic System Functions covers installation, system navigation, available product modules, add-ons and scalability. T is is particularly important to growing organizations. Core Nonprofi t/Fund Accounting Capabilities includes standard nonprofi t- specifi c functions such as account structure, multiple budget options, grant and donor management, fund-balancing, and e-features such as remote access, EFT payment and email invoicing. Management Features highlights areas such as the availability of dashboards, budget options and "what if" scenarios that allow users to look at several diff erent options when preparing or revising budgets. Spending control functions, collections and fundraising capability are also noted. Financial Statements & Reporting looks at report customization options, the ability to create new reports and process nonprofi t-specifi c reports such as FASB/ GASB. T is section also covers grant and endowment reporting capability and report exporting options. Integration & Import/Export examines how well the product integrates with other system modules, as well as add-ons and third-party applications. Also noted is whether or not the product off ers accountant access and data transfer capability. Help/Support covers the availability of system updates, website documentation and training options available, etc. T ese sections won't cover everything, but they will provide a solid overview to help determine if a system is suitable for your client. ● CYMA Systems Inc. — CYMA Not-For-Profi t Fund Accounting Software 2011 OVERALL RATING BEST FIT CYMA would fi t well in small to mid-sized nonprofi t organizations that require fl exibility, scalability, and customization capabilities not oſt en found in basic, off -the-shelf products. STRENGTHS • Excellent report customization • Solid grant tracking • Easy system navigation • Solid import/export capability • 3 separate data-entry modes POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • No fundraising module available 800-292-296 SUMMARY & PRICING CYMA Not-For-Prof it - Accounting 2011 is a terrifi c fund accounting product, ideal for mid-size organizations with multiple grant sources. However, its modular structure would make it suitable for nonprofi ts of just about any size. CYMA pricing starts at $645 per module, with pricing typically starting at $1,945 for three modules. Grant Tracking is an additional $395. PRODUCT DELIVERY METHODS: ■ ✔ On-Premises ■ SaaS ■ Hosted by Vendor BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS CORE NFP/FUND ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES MANAGEMENT FEATURES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & REPORTING INTEGRATION & IMPORT/EXPORT HELP/SUPPORT Read the full review of this product exclusively online at www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/10416292 www.cyma.com November 2011 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com 23