Simply Accounting Online

Simply Accounting Online, the new Internet-based hosted subscription service of ACCPAC’s popular small business accounting software, provides small businesses with a convenient bookkeeping alternative that’s accessible anytime, anywhere. The online service eliminates the need for server hardware and software installation and automatically manages upgrades, tax compliance updates and data backups. For busy small business owners, the service takes the hassle out of maintaining an accounting system and enables them to spend more time running their businesses.

Scott Garell, ACCPAC senior vice president of the small business group, said the financial pulse of any business is now more accessible than ever before because Simply Accounting Online untethers owners from their desktops.

“Simply Accounting Online gives small business owners powerful accounting and business management functionality that can be accessed anywhere an Internet connection is available — the office, home, or even a hotel room for traveling business managers,” Garell said.

Simply Accounting Online provides the primary accounting functions small businesses require, including the ability to track suppliers and customers, make payments, keep up to date on accounts receivable, handle payroll, manage inventory and services, track projects, and print dozens of standard reports.

The key advantage of using a Web-based accounting service is that upgrades of all accounting systems are automatic. As a result, small businesses operators get real-time payroll tax updates to keep business processes flowing.

Simply Accounting Online provides capabilities normally available in more expensive software products, including unlimited multi-currency for international business, 100 years of transaction history, and up to 25 concurrent users. Simply Accounting Online’s Daily Business Manager provides a single screen snapshot of regular business activities.

Simply Accounting Online deploys industrial-strength security solutions made available from its parent company, Computer Associates. ACCPAC guarantees the security and safety of its data centers. The company offers Service Level Agreements that specify the levels of performance, consistency and availability small businesses can expect from Simply Accounting Online.

Additionally, the online accounting service offers multi-level security features to ensure that only authorized staff has access to specific functions. Each entry leaves a full-time audit trail, and the service is equipped with automated error fixing to ensure that the accounting is always accurately tracked while allowing users to make changes on the fly.

Ray Desjardins, Chartered Accountant at Desjardins & Company, said small business owners need the kind of flexibility that online accounting provides so they can access their books securely from the home or office.

“With Simply Accounting Online, our customers won’t have to worry about the technology and can focus on their business,” Desjardins said. “It will give my firm the ability to access their books remotely so we can do routine bookkeeping adjustments and year-end accounting work much more quickly. That will dramatically improve turnaround time for our clients and reduce their costs at the same time.”

Simply Accounting Online is based on Simply Accounting 2003 PRO software, which was released earlier this year. The online version contains most of the functions offered in Simply Accounting 2003 PRO, such as time and billing, departmental accounting, purchase order processing. Simply Webstore integration, a function that allows for e-commerce integration with back office systems, is scheduled to be added later this year.

Current Simply Accounting users can readily switch to Simply Accounting Online since automatic data conversion is built in to the Web-based system for instant portability. Data conversion utilities are also available for QuickBooks and MYOB accounting software conversions.

Simply Accounting Online is available for a 30-day free trial. Pricing starts at $24.99 per month for U.S. small businesses and $39.99 per month for service to small businesses located in Canada. Service upgrades and payroll tax updates throughout the subscription period are included in these fees.