Accounting software accelerates shift to cloud, says CGA-BC software review

VANCOUVER, Sept. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - A growing reliance on cloud computing is one of the most important trends in accounting today, according to a new accounting software review published exclusively by the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia (CGA-BC).

The review, prepared by Alan Salmon, Canada's leading authority on accounting technology, identifies some of the key considerations for those who opt to move accounting functions to the cloud.

"When accounting moves online, it involves a major shift in how organizations deal with data," Salmon says. "It does not stay in its own cubicle and it naturally wants to link to everything else such as payroll, CRM, your website and your other business applications. Inevitably, online accounting will evolve into broader business management."

The CGA-BC software review also identifies other trends in the accounting software world in 2012, such as the demand for:

• greater integration to provide transparency across multiple aspects of the enterprise
• specialty-specific solutions rather than "generic" accounting applications
• systems that support consumer technologies and trends, such as remote access with mobile devices, integration with social media, and open (and standard-based) systems.

The 2012 review ranges from software packages that are best suited to small businesses—those with a handful of employees and less than $1 million in annual revenue—up to larger enterprises that tend to seek out industry-specific or integrated solutions. It provides detailed analysis of the following software applications:

• Adagio by Softrak
• Blue Link Elite
• Connected Accounting & ERP by Accountek
• Microsoft Dynamics GP
• Microsoft Dynamics NAV
• Microsoft Dynamics SL
• Sage 300 ERP
• Sage BusinessVision 50 Accounting
• SYSPRO
• AccountEdge Pro 2012
• Intuit QuickBooks
• Sage 50 Accounting-Canadian Edition 2013
• Wave Accounting.

The software review will be featured in the fall issue of Outlook magazine in early October, and also published on CGA-BC's website at: www.cga-bc.org.

ABOUT ALAN SALMON
Alan Salmon is a leading authority on accounting technology. He is the CEO of K2 Enterprises Canada, a worldwide consulting firm providing technology training to accountants. In addition to his work with consultants, accountants and software companies in both Canada and the U.S., he is the chairperson of the Accounting Technology series, K2 Enterprises' travelling accounting seminar.

ABOUT CGA-BC
As the province's largest professional accounting association, CGA-BC represents nearly 15,000 CGAs and students. Members work in industry, commerce, government and in public practice. The Association promotes the excellence of its members and advances the accounting profession through education, certification and the protection of the public interest.

CGA-BC leads the profession in the integration of ethics into its academic program, and all new graduates of the CGA program are required to complete a rules and standards course to complement an ongoing ethics requirement for members.

The Association also offers a wide range of employment services and programs to its members, students and the business community. These services include CGAjobs.org, a job postings website for finance and accounting professionals, and the Partners in Employment Program (PEP), which recognizes organizations that provide an effective working and training environment for CGAs and CGA students.

SOURCE: Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia

Edward Downing, Director of Communications
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.cga-bc.org