From the Oct. 2007 Review of NFP Accounting Systems
Built to meet the needs of both the nonprofit and the governmental sector, Sage MIP Fund Accounting continues to enhance its popular fund accounting software. Version 8 contains several new system modules that substantially increase the functionality of the software. And Version 9, due out this fall, is expected to focus on enhancing existing features and improving the user experience with a redesigned user interface and the introduction of payroll compliance forms and e-Filing.
EASE OF USE/FLEXIBILITY – 5 Stars
The main Sage MIP Fund Accounting user interface contains a drop-down menu bar
at the top of the screen that offers access to module maintenance, system transactions,
frequently used activities, reports and user preferences. The Accounting System
Navigator is a vertical list of all available modules and is located to the
left of the user interface screen. Clicking on a module selection displays a
series of icons in flowchart style, along with additional modular functions
below.
The Report Manager function is located to the right of the flowchart. Frequently run reports can be saved here for easier processing. Help links relevant to the module are found at the bottom right side of the screen, and, like the report manager screen, it updates each time a different module is accessed.
Navigation is easy, with list display options and lookup fields found throughout. Within each module, users can open and subsequently click through numerous options simultaneously. The new Process Manager provides the ability to add menu links in any process flow order desired, allowing the user interface to be customized to suit an individual’s needs.
MODULES/SCALABILITY – 5 Stars
Sage MIP Fund Accounting is built around the GL module, with other modules available
to add as needed. Available modules include AP, AR Billing, AR Reporting, Bank
Reconciliation, Grant Administration, Allocations Management, Budget, Electronic
Requisitions, Purchase Orders, Encumbrances, Direct Deposit, Payroll, Advanced
Security, Data Import/Export, GASB Reporting, Data Consolidation, Forms Designer,
and the new Inventory Control, Sales Order Entry and Multicurrency modules.
All users have the choice of running Sage MIP Fund Accounting on MSDE, which is provided on the installation CD. Larger organizations may want to utilize the SQL Server option, which will need to be purchased by the user. The software can be installed in a single-user or a client/server environment, making the software extremely scalable for nonprofit organizations of all sizes.
Copyright 2008 Cygnus Business Media