Saturday, January 8, 2011

Tax Software. Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011

Tax Software. I've been using various versions of this software since 1999 and generally upgrade every 2 or 3 years. I hadn't planned an upgrade but did so to better accommodate an upgrade from XP Win 7 (Win 7 is worth the trouble and expense!) When the disk arrived, it was cracked (shipping problem, not Peachtree.) I had next to no trouble getting them to give me a link to a download so I could use the product without waiting for a new disk. I had no trouble with the download and no problem moving files from Peachtree Complete 2008. I moved four companies and everything works very well. The employees (two) were easy to understand and registration was a snap. A MAJOR benefit to me is being able to keep multiple companies open at the same time. As usual, the best price and service were at Amazon. This review sounds like it was written by an employee but it wasn't--it's just a bullet-proof product that performs very well and performs flawlessly with Win 7--worth the price.



 I switched from Quickbooks 2008 to Peachtree Complete 2011. The transfer of data from QB to Peachtree was rather painless. Don't do what I did and make your first active period Jan 2010 for example. Just put the current period that you are working on or don't switch mid-year like I did. You do have to go back and reconcile all accounts which is rather annoying and a huge waste of time, but it wasn't that bad. The treatment of credit cards is really strange and I like QB's approach much better. In short, QB you enter transactions, reconcile with the statement and put it to AP ledger to pay. Peachtree treats it much differently and while perhaps you can do what I just stated, it isn't anywhere near as easy. I haven't imported transactions from online, but of course there is no Peachtree option on the online accounts. You can probably due it via csv file, but for my small numbers it is just as easy to enter by hand.

For credit cards, I will probably just end up entering the transactions under a regular vendor payment and then reconcile and pay like a normal vender. This isn't my preference but it is so much easier than the Peachtree method of enter credit card payments / transactions.

Expect quite abit of learning curve on this, I wouldn't make the switch during a busy time or you will be very frustrated. It is a little frustrating at first. You won't be able to even print out a check, unless you order the Peachtree check forms. You can go in and edit / customize your print form. I probably messed with it for 30 minutes to get it back to the QB check type. It took me awhile to figure out that you can select and move whole areas of the form.

All in all, considering I made the switch to accomadate Windows 2007 and paid around $128 instead of the $200 for QB 2010...I think it was the right decision.

If you are a heavy QB user and have lots of transactions, credit cards, etc. I would not recommend the switch to Peachtree unless you have the time to get use to the program, say at least 4 to 6 weeks minimum.

I did find some of the Peachtree online stuff to be very helpful...although the answers I got, were not necessarily to my liking.

Warning, I did have issues transfering the data at first. It had to do with the User Account settings. You have to initial turn the Windows 7 warnings completely off, transfer the data, and then turn the User account settings back. Just do a search on your error message and you will find the solution.

We needed to upgrade from PT 2008 for Win 7. Nice new feature is you can open multiple companies and look at them side by side which becomes invaluable when working with intercompany transfers or analyzing multiple companies for planning. We had trouble registering and required three calls to tech support before they could straighten it out. Tech support thought it was because we had to upgrade our databases from PT 2008. Once registered it's works great and if you know accounting its far easier to use than QBs.


Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 helps you work more easily and efficiently with robust core accounting and added features like job costing, time and billing, in-depth inventory capabilities, and analysis tools. Its multi-user option* helps improve productivity while providing screen-level security and a clear audit trail. Save time with simplified dashboards, management centers, integration with Microsoft Excel*, and comparative budgeting. The Internal Accounting Review* helps you track errors and deter fraud. Available with more than 100 customizable business reports and financial statements. Achieve better business results through accurate accounting and business controls with Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011. Additional Product Features

  • Business Status Center Dashboard
  • Manage depreciation for up to 200 fixed assets*
  • Streamlined service billing
  • Job status indicators
  • Enhanced assemblies reporting
  • Support for Terminal Services*
  • Create and track shipping with UPS integration*
Who's It For?
Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 is designed for owners and managers of service- or product-oriented small businesses who need robust accounting functionality plus in-depth analysis. It offers user-friendly tools, multiple Help options, and advanced capabilities, including 100+ customizable business reports, time and billing, job costing, advanced inventory, and audit trails. Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 makes it easy to upgrade your accounting system to meet the needs of your expanding business. It has a multi-user option* for improved productivity.
Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 enables fast start-up, check writing, invoicing, purchasing, bank reconciliation, project tracking, in-depth inventory, payroll*, time and billing, audit trails, screen-level security, and more. It’s ideal for people who want to achieve better business results through accurate accounting and business controls. All first-time Sage Peachtree customers receive 30 days of free support*, 30 days of free online training*, and a no-risk, 60-day, money-back guarantee, which guarantees satisfaction or refund of purchase price less any rebates paid. In the event you need a more robust solution to handle such needs as company consolidation, compensation management and advanced budgeting, please consider Sage Peachtree Premium Accounting 2011.
Why Choose a Sage Peachtree Solution?
If you view accounting as a tool that can help you make better decisions rather than just a necessary chore, Sage Peachtree is the perfect choice. Sage Peachtree is designed for people like you who are dedicated to getting the numbers right, so you can truly understand how your business is performing. Sage Peachtree is an easy-to-use solution based on real, double-entry accounting principles with module- or screen-level security, audit trails, and automatic accounting checks. You get the accuracy and control you need to improve results.
(*See www.peachtree.com/disclosures for details.)

New and Improved Features for 2011

Setup Advisor helps new and veteran users discover better ways to use Sage Peachtree with step-by-step advice on how to create and maintain records.
Streamlined Service Billing helps service-based businesses save time and prevent delayed or lost revenue by quickly generating multiple invoices for unbilled time and expenses.
Job Status Indicators help users keep their jobs on track with an at-a-glance view that lets them quickly sort or filter jobs based on customizable status types such as "on schedule," "delayed," or "at risk."
Inventory and Services Management Center lets users quickly track and evaluate inventory items and services to make more informed purchasing and sales decisions.
Enhanced Assemblies Reporting helps you understand your assembly items at a glance so you can better manage assembly costs and meet customer delivery goals.

New Feature Screenshots

Setup Advisor
Streamlined Service Billing
Job Status Indicators
Get step-by-step advice on how to create and maintain records.
Click to enlarge.
Quickly generate multiple invoices for unbilled time and expenses.
Click to enlarge.
Set up a virtually unlimited number of custom job statuses.
Click to enlarge.
Maintain Jobs Indicator
List View
Customizable Dashboard
The color-coded “stoplight signals” make it easy to visually see which jobs you need to focus on.
Click to enlarge.
Easily sort and filter by Job Status on the Job List.
Click to enlarge.
A customizable dashboard provides at-a-glance inventory and services information.
Click to enlarge.

Sage Peachtree 2011 Product Family Feature Comparison Chart

Sage Peachtree First Accounting

Sage Peachtree First Accounting
Sage Peachtree Pro Accounting

Sage Peachtree Pro Accounting
Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting

Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting
Sage Peachtree Premium Accounting

Sage Peachtree Premium Accounting
Standard Accounting
Easy start-up and 30 days of free training1
X
X
X
X
Print checks, pay bills and track purchases
X
X
X
X
Invoice for sales, receive payments and print collection letters
X
X
X
X
Basic accounting with ledgers, registers and financial statements
X
X
X
X
Professional, customizable reports
35+
80+
100+
125+
Improve communications by e-mailing reports and financial statements2
X
X
X
X
Purchase and track items for sale
X
X
X
X
Track and bill for services and labor
X
X
X
X
Electronically reconcile bank statements3
X
X
X
X
Protect critical data with user security
Module
Module
Screen
Screen
Conversion from QuickBooks 2008-2010, Basic through Enterprise4
X
X
X
Business Management Tools
Do-it-yourself and fully managed payroll solutions5
X
X
X
Build inventory assemblies and track customer back orders
X
X
X
Average, LIFO and FIFO inventory costing methods
X
X
X
Built-in checks for common accounting errors6
X
X
X
Create marketing flyers and newsletters with Microsoft Word integration7
X
X
X
Use quotes and sales orders to manage sales
X
X
X
Manage relationships with customer contact information and history
X
X
X
Get paid faster by e-mailing invoices2
X
X
X
Flexible reporting with Microsoft Excel integration8
X
X
X
Control cash flow, payments, and collections with analysis tools
X
X
X
Limit fraud exposure with PCI-DSS compliance for credit cards9
X
X
Electronic bill payment through Sage Peachtree Bill Pay10
X
X
Create and track shipping with UPS integration11
X
X
Advanced Accounting
Sync customer information with Microsoft Outlook contacts2
X
X
Maintain accountability with audit trail reporting
X
X
Manage depreciation for up to 200 fixed assets12
X
X
Control job revenue and expenses at the phase and cost code level
X
X
Premium Features
Create multiple budgets based on departments and cost centers
X
Consolidate multiple companies for financial reporting
X
Design and share insightful reports with Crystal Reports 2008
X
Print financial statements by organizational department
X
Help increase job profitability with change order processing
X
Track serialized inventory
X
Open and edit Sage Peachtree 2011 client company files, except Sage Peachtree Quantum
Premium--Accountants' Edition
Create customized inventory, job and customer dashboard views
Premium--Accountants' Edition
Restore client backups
Premium--Accountants' Edition
Print construction industry-specific operational reports
Premium for Construction
Automatically apply labor burden at the company or job level
Premium for Construction
Progress billing based on percent of contract, completion or proposal
Premium for Construction
Automated retainage management13 for customer and vendor bills
Premium for Construction
Subcontractor and vendor insurance tracking for compliance
Premium for Construction
Print assembly planning and pick list reports
Premium for Distribution
Analyze inventory sales and purchasing trends
Premium for Distribution
Order and sell using vendor part numbers
Premium for Distribution
Offer quantity price breaks to customers
Premium for Distribution
Create custom units and measures for bulk sales and purchases
Premium for Distribution, Manufacturing
Purchase and sell items in bulk or in multi-pack units
Premium for Distribution, Manufacturing
Advanced bill of materials management
Premium for Manufacturing
Apply automatic price discounts based on custom price levels
Premium for Manufacturing
Manage the assembly build process with work tickets
Premium for Manufacturing
Print manufacturing industry-specific operational reports
Premium for Manufacturing
Print a donor and grantor receipt report
Premium for Nonprofits
Create fundraising letters with a Microsoft Word template
Premium for Nonprofits
Print collections letters for member and pledge fees outstanding
Premium for Nonprofits
Accept new donors with a welcome letter template
Premium for Nonprofits
Produce accurate nonprofit-specific reports
Premium for Nonprofits
Set up quickly with nonprofit-specific chart of accounts
Premium for Nonprofits
Disclaimers (for table):

1. New customers receive 30 days of free on-line training upon signing up with Sage University. Must sign up within 6 months of product registration.
2. Requires Microsoft Outlook 2002, 2003 or 2007; Outlook Express 5 or 6; other MAPI compliant email programs.
3. Internet access required. Your bank may charge a fee to download statements.
4. Versions 2008 - 2010. Excludes conversion of QuickBooks individual payroll transactions. For additional information on conversion limitations, please visit www.peachtree.com/qb.
5. Compliant tax forms and tax tables require a subscription to Sage Peachtree Simple Payroll. For details see www.peachtreepayroll.com or call 877-231-3761.
6. The Internal Accounting Review is not intended to uncover all questionable transactions. Sage Software is not liable or responsible for any fines or penalties that may result from errors in your company accounting records.
7. Requires Microsoft Word 2002, 2003, or 2007.
8. Requires Microsoft Excel 2002, 2003, or 2007.
9. Includes Sage Exchange, which is certified to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS). Requires Internet access.
10. Subject to approval and to Sage terms of service. Additional fees, internet access and checking account required.
11. UPS functionality is subject to UPS terms and conditions. Internet access required.
12. Regulatory compliance requires paid subscription. Additional fees apply for more than 200 assets.
13. Retainage is available only in companies using accrual based accounting.

Product Description

Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 helps you work more easily and efficiently with robust core accounting and added features like job costing, time and billing, in-depth inventory capabilities, and analysis tools. Its multi-user option* helps improve productivity while providing screen-level security and a clear audit trail. Save time with simplified dashboards, management centers, integration with Microsoft Excel *, and comparative budgeting. The Internal Accounting Review* helps you track errors and deter fraud. Available with more than 100 customizable business reports and financial statements. Achieve better business results through accurate accounting and business controls with Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011.

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