News & Views

October 10, 2011 from CPA Practice Advisor – “As with most organizations, nonprofits vary in size and scope, and their software needs vary, as well. As an accounting professional, you know that the software needs of the local animal shelter will vary widely than 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 different types of nonprofits than the top-line, robust solutions. This is not a one-size-fits-all market… The review includes the following systems with their ratings:

• AccuFund – AccuFund Accounting Suite for Non-Profits (Overall: 4.75 Stars)
• Blackbaud – The Financial Edge (Overall: 5 Stars)
• Blackbaud – Fundware (Overall: 4.5 Stars)
• Cougar Mountain Software – Denali Fund+ Accounting (Overall: 4.75 Stars)
• CYMA Systems, Inc. – CYMA Not-for-Profit Fund Accounting (Overall: 4.75 Stars)
• eTEK International Inc. – eTEK Fundamentals (Overall: 4.5 Stars)
• Fund E-Z Development Corp. – Fund E-Z Accounting (Overall: 4.5 Stars)
• Intuit Inc. – QuickBooks Premier Nonprofit Edition (Overall: 4.5 Stars)
• Sage North America – Sage Fund Accounting (Overall: 5 Stars)
• Sage Peachtree Premium Accounting for Nonprofits 2012 (Overall: 5 Stars)
• Serenic Software – Serenic Navigator (Overall: 5 Stars)”

180 View – Although all the systems have a high rating and the rating seems somewhat arbitrary, the article should benefit a not-for-profit organization seeking a new system. However there are many more systems available. For example, check out Unit4 and Tyler Technologies, both of which are good high-end solutions.  You will also find that many of the well known ERP systems have either built not-for-profit functionality or have partners that have extended their system with not-for-profit functionality using the same tools and database as the core product.