K2 Enterprises Review of Microsoft Office Accounting

Office Accounting 2008 – Microsoft

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/accounting/default.aspx

Category: General Accounting - Class: Entry Level

Best Fit

· Small business 1-25 or professionals not using accounting software

· Professional Services or Owner Operated

· Multicurrency support makes it a good fit for import/export businesses.

Strengths

· Easy customization of reports and forms in Word and Excel

· Use with Microsoft Contact Manager and Outlook to share

· Improved Web Integration (2008)

· Ability to interface directly between user and outside accountant

· Common interface and scalability to higher-end Dynamics solution

Brief Product Description

· Microsoft accounting is aimed at new and home-based businesses. Express version can track income and expenses, but it does not manage inventory. The Professional version adds inventory management, job tracking, sales and purchase orders, and fixed assets.

· Office Accounting Professional 2008 is designed to import data from many sources. You can use existing financial information or import data from Microsoft Office system programs, such as Excel, and other accounting software, such as Intuit QuickBooks and Microsoft Money.

· Microsoft Office Accounting is available as follows:

Office Accounting 2008 is a full featured entry-level solution that does not include payroll. Payroll is available as an on-line subscription service. Retail $199.99.
Office Accounting Express 2008 is a free without support with limitations over the full version. Product comparison can be found at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX102462271033.aspx
Office Professional 2007 Office Home and Student 2007, Office Small Business 2007, Office Standard 2007 and Office Ultimate 2007 all include versions of Office Accounting Express.

Technical Specifications

· Windows XP and Vista

· 1024x768 screen resolution

· Office Accounting Software Development Kit (SDK) available for customization

· Ships with Microsoft Desktop SQL database

Integration with Accounting and Ease of Setup

· Because Office Accounting Professional 2008 and Office Outlook 2007 for Business Contact Manager share a single database, information related to customers, vendors, prospects, and employees can be shared in real time between the two programs. Installation is very easy and can be done without technical support or a professional accountant in many cases.

· Setup Wizard makes it extremely easy to create new company. Interface to outside accountant allows CPA to send custom COA to client (2008.)

· Very good review of Office Accounting Professional 2008; http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Office-Accounting-Professional-2008/dp/B000Y7Y6IQ

Representative Client List (if available)

· Microsoft Office Accounting, as an entry level solution, has a very long list of users. As such, there is no list provided but specific case studies are available.

Company History and Contact Information

· Microsoft Office Accounting was released as Small Business Accounting 2006 in September 2005 and renamed as Office Accounting in 2007 a year later.

· Microsoft Office Accounting Professional is available for purchase through a number or retail outlets such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Depot and Staples or via the Internet. Office Express may be downloaded from http://www.ideawins.com/downloads1.aspx and is free.

· For contact information; http://support.microsoft.com/gp/ContactOffice?sd=offc.

Commentary (The following is provided by the Editor with notes and comments from others.)

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FOR ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS

The information provided herein is not warranted in any way and is subject to change without notice.

We recommend that you confirm information contained herein with the appropriate manufacturer or reseller.

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