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Achieve real-time visibility into business performance.
Organizations need to have the details that matter to all key stakeholders: investors, board members, executives, finance and other departments. When your financial information is spread out across disparate spreadsheets or tied up in manual process, it’s a struggle to get insights to the right people at the right time. Sage Intacct provides reports, dashboards and visualizations that are ready in real time, so you can save up to 40 hours per month on reporting and cut time spent checking data accuracy by 75%.
Turn data into insight
- Dimension-driven reporting: Access or create reports that analyze real-time business performance by business drivers—without managing a complex chart of accounts.
- Out-of-the-box functionality: Use predefined financial reports and dashboards out of the box and add more to reflect unique business drivers.
- Flexible delivery options: Share real time views on dashboards, through email or on the cloud. Archived copies can be kept directly in Sage Intacct or published into a cloud repository of choice.
See across the dimensions of your business
- Built-in financial and operational reports: Get financial and metric data—like square footage, available hospital beds, SaaS metrics or other statistical measures that matter to your business.
- Drill-down capabilities: Drill down to source transactions and attachments for financial transparency. Flag trends and spot exceptions with powerful report visualization. Sage Intacct keeps tabs on the historic workflow and audit trail, so you don’t have to.
Deliver the insights different stakeholders need
- Tailored views: Tailor the reporting experience for different stakeholders by controlling who sees real-time reports and who sees period-end views.
- KPI visibility: Select key performance indicators (KPIs) to track on your dashboards.
- Slice and dice data: Slice and dice your data across dimensions to get different views without producing individual reports.
- Visual indicators in reports: See the information that matters the most with visual indicators that draw your eye. If you’re over budget, you’ll see it immediately.
The Sage Intacct dashboards and reporting capabilities helped Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, a company that breeds, trains, and sells thoroughbred horses, receive real-time budget to actual information for better sales decisions. Further, Sage Intacct helped save $20,000 per year with improved top level dashboard visibility and reduced a 10-day month end to just 4 days.
Reach peak performance with fast answers for confident decision making with Sage Intacct. “We’ve improved real-time visibility into our performance,” Miller, CFO of Meals on Wheels America said. “We’re now course correcting all the time and we’re only able to do that because of the fact that we’re on Sage Intacct.”
Reach out to learn how Sage can impact your business.
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The first and only AICPA-preferred financial application.
The leader in customer satisfaction—awarded by G2
What people are saying
Being awarded number 1 in customer satisfaction* in mid-market accounting software year after year by G2 wasn’t our main goal. It’s a side effect of our commitment to making sure our customer’s finance teams thrive. We want them to have the visibility, information, and time they need to be strategic partners in business growth, while remaining steadfast custodians protecting the company against risk.
We believe that being named a Visionary by Gartner** was a natural result of how we address customer needs—looking ahead to future-proof against changes in regulations, technology, and processes. Our customers want a best-in-class solution that aligns with where they’re going, so we anticipate and deliver on those needs.
Being the only preferred solution of the AICPA resulted from our dedication to tackling complex accounting issues, while maintaining an intuitive, user-friendly interface. AICPA has over 431,000 members who’ve seen and used every accounting system out there—Sage Intacct is the only one they prefer.
Open ecosystem
As a best-in-class system, Sage Intacct provides a simple, flexible connection service to dozens of related solutions, such as Salesforce, Avalara, ADP, and CSI. Need to bring in online usage data for billing? No problem. Need to connect to a specialized e-commerce engine or point-of-sale system? How about a sophisticated warehouse barcode system? No problem. Our integrations team can help connect other services, even homegrown services.
Customer for life
We believe that with the right solutions, services, and support working together and focused on you, a customer for life is exactly what you will become. The Sage Intacct Customer for Life program provides innovative solutions, based on years of best practices, designed with a single aim—to accelerate your success.
Being awarded number 1 in customer satisfaction* in mid-market accounting software year after year by G2 wasn’t our main goal. It’s a side effect of our commitment to making sure our customer’s finance teams thrive. We want them to have the visibility, information, and time they need to be strategic partners in business growth, while remaining steadfast custodians protecting the company against risk.
We believe that being named a Visionary by Gartner** was a natural result of how we address customer needs—looking ahead to future-proof against changes in regulations, technology, and processes. Our customers want a best-in-class solution that aligns with where they’re going, so we anticipate and deliver on those needs.
Being the only preferred solution of the AICPA resulted from our dedication to tackling complex accounting issues, while maintaining an intuitive, user-friendly interface. AICPA has over 431,000 members who’ve seen and used every accounting system out there—Sage Intacct is the only one they prefer.
Open ecosystem
As a best-in-class system, Sage Intacct provides a simple, flexible connection service to dozens of related solutions, such as Salesforce, Avalara, ADP, and CSI. Need to bring in online usage data for billing? No problem. Need to connect to a specialized e-commerce engine or point-of-sale system? How about a sophisticated warehouse barcode system? No problem. Our integrations team can help connect other services, even homegrown services.
Customer for life
We believe that with the right solutions, services, and support working together and focused on you, a customer for life is exactly what you will become. The Sage Intacct Customer for Life program provides innovative solutions, based on years of best practices, designed with a single aim—to accelerate your success.
Built for finance
Our cloud accounting and ERP software delivers deep accounting capabilities across multiple industries. We speak CPA—the majority of our in-house experts who design and implement Sage Intacct for our customers are seasoned finance professionals. This commitment to finance is a big part of our being named the first and only preferred financial application provider of the AICPA and the visionary leader in SMB finance.
Our cloud accounting and ERP software delivers deep accounting capabilities across multiple industries. We speak CPA—the majority of our in-house experts who design and implement Sage Intacct for our customers are seasoned finance professionals. This commitment to finance is a big part of our being named the first and only preferred financial application provider of the AICPA and the visionary leader in SMB finance.
Built to scale
By reducing time to close by as much as 79% and seeing real-time reporting across hundreds of consolidated entities, finance teams using Sage Intacct are positioned to drive growth.
By reducing time to close by as much as 79% and seeing real-time reporting across hundreds of consolidated entities, finance teams using Sage Intacct are positioned to drive growth.
Built for the cloud
The Sage Intacct multi-tenant, cloud infrastructure brings robust technology to organizations, without the high costs of managing servers. It provides the elasticity companies need to grow.
The Sage Intacct multi-tenant, cloud infrastructure brings robust technology to organizations, without the high costs of managing servers. It provides the elasticity companies need to grow.
- 100 million application requests per day
- 1 billion API calls per month
- Over 50 billion financial records
Built for success
Sage Intacct customers achieve an average 250% ROI and payback in less than 7 months. It’s no wonder that Sage Intacct has received the highest customer satisfaction ratings from G2. Our Customer for Life commitment and innovation feedback keep us aligned with what matters to those who depend on our software.
Sage Intacct customers achieve an average 250% ROI and payback in less than 7 months. It’s no wonder that Sage Intacct has received the highest customer satisfaction ratings from G2. Our Customer for Life commitment and innovation feedback keep us aligned with what matters to those who depend on our software.
Built for public companies
Dozens of customers have gone public using Sage Intacct. Finance leaders see few achievements as rewarding or challenging as going public. Finance teams using Sage Intacct ensure compliance and auditability, with the audit trails, visibility, and forecasting necessary to support an IPO.
Dozens of customers have gone public using Sage Intacct. Finance leaders see few achievements as rewarding or challenging as going public. Finance teams using Sage Intacct ensure compliance and auditability, with the audit trails, visibility, and forecasting necessary to support an IPO.
Built for solutions
Cross-product functionality with Sage Intacct Accounting, Planning, and Analytics round out finance.
Cross-product functionality with Sage Intacct Accounting, Planning, and Analytics round out finance.
“As we prepared for massive scale, we needed a SaaS-based, multi-entity general ledger system we could grow into. Our requirements were to get everything into a unified chart of accounts, gain the ability to easily add entities as we completed acquisitions, and ensure we’d be ready for SEC-compliant reporting when the time came to go public.”
~ Scot Meriwether, Senior VP of Finance, i3 Verticals
~ Scot Meriwether, Senior VP of Finance, i3 Verticals
“We were blown away by Sage Intacct’s global consolidations capabilities and the flexible reporting and analytics, along with its overall scalability and the flexibility to plug into any other business system we needed.”
~ Mike Munson, Controller, Cameo Global
~ Mike Munson, Controller, Cameo Global
“If we were still on QuickBooks, we would’ve needed at least two more accountants to keep up—at a cost of $140,000 annually. With Sage Intacct, I know our lean team can easily handle another 600% in revenue growth.”
~ Doug Polignano, Controller, Snapsheet
~ Doug Polignano, Controller, Snapsheet
*G2 named Sage Intacct #1 in customer satisfaction from 2015–2021.
**Gartner names Sage Intacct as a Visionary for core financial management suites. Source: Magic Quadrant for Cloud Core Financial Management Suites for Midsize, Large and Global Enterprises, Gartner, 2021. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
© 2022 The Sage Group plc or its licensors. Sage, Sage logos, Sage product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of The Sage Group plc or its licensors. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
**Gartner names Sage Intacct as a Visionary for core financial management suites. Source: Magic Quadrant for Cloud Core Financial Management Suites for Midsize, Large and Global Enterprises, Gartner, 2021. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
© 2022 The Sage Group plc or its licensors. Sage, Sage logos, Sage product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of The Sage Group plc or its licensors. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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11 reasons why Sage Intacct is a great fit for your organization
Organizations across the world have spent many years relying on Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) for their accounting processes. In fact, it’s long been a favorite in enterprise resource planning (ERP).
But over the next few years, support for the software will phase out. That leaves organizations with two options: Start planning the next step now or put it on the back burner—which might leave you scrambling once Dynamics GP reaches its end of life.
What’s a loyal customer to do? Microsoft has an answer: they’re pushing users to make the jump to Dynamics 365 Business Central. And while it may seem like the obvious choice, it’s not necessarily the right move for everyone.
Business Central comes with myriad operational and supply chain features that small and midsize businesses may not need. But at the same time, it doesn’t have enough core financial tools to truly streamline and simplify accounting.
But over the next few years, support for the software will phase out. That leaves organizations with two options: Start planning the next step now or put it on the back burner—which might leave you scrambling once Dynamics GP reaches its end of life.
What’s a loyal customer to do? Microsoft has an answer: they’re pushing users to make the jump to Dynamics 365 Business Central. And while it may seem like the obvious choice, it’s not necessarily the right move for everyone.
Business Central comes with myriad operational and supply chain features that small and midsize businesses may not need. But at the same time, it doesn’t have enough core financial tools to truly streamline and simplify accounting.
Centered on what matters to you
For entities that primarily use Dynamics GP for accounting and payroll, a solution purpose-built for financial management might be a better fit.
Instead of a platform that has too many features you don’t need and will never use, Sage Intacct offers robust core financial tools that can be configured around your goals.
So you get exactly what you need and eliminate the rest. And once it’s set up, you don’t have to employ technical resources to keep it up and running—or to ensure cybersecurity. As a software as a service (SaaS) product, Sage Intacct takes care of that.
The best fit for financial management
Let’s start with the basics. Sage Intacct was designed by finance professionals. This means it takes into account all of the nuances regularly faced by finance teams, such as breaking down allocations for improved reporting and multi-book accounting capabilities. Our features are so effective, Sage Intacct has been widely recognized as a top-of-the-line option by industry experts:
The platform also has an extensive list of favorable customer ratings, with users praising its ease of use, intuitive interface, mobile responsiveness, and intelligent business tools. Granted, Microsoft has a history of creating top-rated products, so let’s take a closer look at how Business Central compares with Sage Intacct.
So you get exactly what you need and eliminate the rest. And once it’s set up, you don’t have to employ technical resources to keep it up and running—or to ensure cybersecurity. As a software as a service (SaaS) product, Sage Intacct takes care of that.
The best fit for financial management
Let’s start with the basics. Sage Intacct was designed by finance professionals. This means it takes into account all of the nuances regularly faced by finance teams, such as breaking down allocations for improved reporting and multi-book accounting capabilities. Our features are so effective, Sage Intacct has been widely recognized as a top-of-the-line option by industry experts:
- Named a visionary on the 2021 Magic Quadrant for cloud Financial Management Systems (FMS)
- Rated number one in the Gartner Critical Capabilities report for Core Financials for Lower Midsize Enterprises Use Case
- Recommended by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
The platform also has an extensive list of favorable customer ratings, with users praising its ease of use, intuitive interface, mobile responsiveness, and intelligent business tools. Granted, Microsoft has a history of creating top-rated products, so let’s take a closer look at how Business Central compares with Sage Intacct.
Which solution is right for your business?
While it may seem like moving from GP to Business Central would be a simple switch, you still must migrate all of your data and go through a long implementation phase. Before you begin, you also must meet a few prerequisites, including using a 2016 or later SQL server and ensuring your database has the adequate compatibility.
Now, these tasks are not insurmountable and Microsoft Business Central can be an excellent solution for many large enterprises--
especially those dealing with supply chain planning, warehouse management, inventory, and manufacturing.
However, if your organization doesn't need that type of functionality and instead requires a solution built specifically for finance and accounting—including capabilities for multientity accounting and data visualizations—Sage Intacct likely has exactly what you’re looking for.
Here are 11 features that make Sage Intacct a natural next step for GP users:
While it may seem like moving from GP to Business Central would be a simple switch, you still must migrate all of your data and go through a long implementation phase. Before you begin, you also must meet a few prerequisites, including using a 2016 or later SQL server and ensuring your database has the adequate compatibility.
Now, these tasks are not insurmountable and Microsoft Business Central can be an excellent solution for many large enterprises--
especially those dealing with supply chain planning, warehouse management, inventory, and manufacturing.
However, if your organization doesn't need that type of functionality and instead requires a solution built specifically for finance and accounting—including capabilities for multientity accounting and data visualizations—Sage Intacct likely has exactly what you’re looking for.
Here are 11 features that make Sage Intacct a natural next step for GP users:
1. It’s a true cloud-based software system
This alone enables rapid and successful deployment, since you don’t have to install anything on servers or workstations. It also enables easier scalability, since as your business grows, the additional tools you need already exist within the SaaS model. And it sets the stage for better collaboration, since your teams will have anywhere/anytime access to Sage Intacct.
2. Cost-effective maintenance
When you switch to Sage Intacct, you pay one fee for the solution, and you get the features you need, built-in templates, financial statement design and generation, integration tools, and custom fields. It also updates regularly, without the need for additional maintenance fees. To get the same tools with Business Central, you’d have to purchase them externally from third parties. Therefore, while the Business Central sticker price initially seems lower, the TCO for Sage Intacct ends up being less.
3. An ability to consolidate multiple entities
If you’re managing multiple entities, Sage Intacct enables you to consolidate them, regardless of their location. This makes it much easier to keep track of inter-entity transactions, and streamlines currency conversions and tax reporting requirements.
4. Cross-entity allocations
While Business Central requires manual allocations using clearing accounts and journal entries, Sage Intacct automates all of these processes.
5. Advanced budgeting
Sage Intacct offers its own advanced, collaborative, integrated budgeting—no ISV required—with complete security and version control. Meanwhile, Business Central only supports Excel import / export.
6. Stronger dimensions
Sage Intacct’s inherently structured dimensions give you greater control and visibility when it’s time to analyze data and run reports, as well as the ability to perform in-depth analyses.
7. User-friendly software
When implementing new software, you want users to get up to speed in hours, not days. Sage Intacct has an intuitive UI that’s easy to navigate—regardless of whether it’s being used by financial team members or others in your business. There’s not only a simple, short training course that immediately trains users, there’s also a help section on every module and page in Sage Intacct.
8. A shorter onboarding and implementation period
Since our partners are so well-versed with our product—as well as with accounting components and best practices—they know how to simplify complex processes and can generally get you up and running in 90 days.
9. Easier integrations with third-party applications
Sage Intacct understands that every organization has their own tech stack that works best for them. It’s for this reason that the platform integrates so well with many of the most popular business applications. This means that you and your teams can keep using the tools you’re most comfortable with, reducing disruptions and frustrations. By the same token, our partner marketplace is more extensive than Business Central’s.
10. More accessible customer support
No matter how intuitive a technology may be, it still comes with a learning curve; having adequate customer support makes everything run a lot more smoothly. And since we have customers worldwide, Sage Intacct offers customer support 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. And to make each interaction more productive, customers can select an implementation partner.
11. Buy With Confidence guarantee
Sage Intacct offers a Buy With Confidence guarantee, which promises 99.8% guaranteed uptime. If by any chance the Service Level Agreement falls below that, customers receive a 10% credit off subscription fees for every point below that number.
This alone enables rapid and successful deployment, since you don’t have to install anything on servers or workstations. It also enables easier scalability, since as your business grows, the additional tools you need already exist within the SaaS model. And it sets the stage for better collaboration, since your teams will have anywhere/anytime access to Sage Intacct.
2. Cost-effective maintenance
When you switch to Sage Intacct, you pay one fee for the solution, and you get the features you need, built-in templates, financial statement design and generation, integration tools, and custom fields. It also updates regularly, without the need for additional maintenance fees. To get the same tools with Business Central, you’d have to purchase them externally from third parties. Therefore, while the Business Central sticker price initially seems lower, the TCO for Sage Intacct ends up being less.
3. An ability to consolidate multiple entities
If you’re managing multiple entities, Sage Intacct enables you to consolidate them, regardless of their location. This makes it much easier to keep track of inter-entity transactions, and streamlines currency conversions and tax reporting requirements.
4. Cross-entity allocations
While Business Central requires manual allocations using clearing accounts and journal entries, Sage Intacct automates all of these processes.
5. Advanced budgeting
Sage Intacct offers its own advanced, collaborative, integrated budgeting—no ISV required—with complete security and version control. Meanwhile, Business Central only supports Excel import / export.
6. Stronger dimensions
Sage Intacct’s inherently structured dimensions give you greater control and visibility when it’s time to analyze data and run reports, as well as the ability to perform in-depth analyses.
7. User-friendly software
When implementing new software, you want users to get up to speed in hours, not days. Sage Intacct has an intuitive UI that’s easy to navigate—regardless of whether it’s being used by financial team members or others in your business. There’s not only a simple, short training course that immediately trains users, there’s also a help section on every module and page in Sage Intacct.
8. A shorter onboarding and implementation period
Since our partners are so well-versed with our product—as well as with accounting components and best practices—they know how to simplify complex processes and can generally get you up and running in 90 days.
9. Easier integrations with third-party applications
Sage Intacct understands that every organization has their own tech stack that works best for them. It’s for this reason that the platform integrates so well with many of the most popular business applications. This means that you and your teams can keep using the tools you’re most comfortable with, reducing disruptions and frustrations. By the same token, our partner marketplace is more extensive than Business Central’s.
10. More accessible customer support
No matter how intuitive a technology may be, it still comes with a learning curve; having adequate customer support makes everything run a lot more smoothly. And since we have customers worldwide, Sage Intacct offers customer support 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. And to make each interaction more productive, customers can select an implementation partner.
11. Buy With Confidence guarantee
Sage Intacct offers a Buy With Confidence guarantee, which promises 99.8% guaranteed uptime. If by any chance the Service Level Agreement falls below that, customers receive a 10% credit off subscription fees for every point below that number.
Get financial piece of mind with Sage Intacct
We get it. Implementing new software is a daunting prospect: it takes time, money, and energy to find the right solution and get it set up. If you’re going to do it, you want to get it right—as painlessly as possible.
The good news is that this process is much easier and smoother now than it used to be. With cloud-based solutions, you don’t have to build anything or install anything on your servers and workstations—eliminating disruptive and time-consuming processes. And as new features are released and your business grows, all you have to do is log in to gain access to the new tools you need.
Transitioning from GP doesn’t have to be painful. Sage Intacct has been providing top-of-the-line accounting solutions for more than 20 years. And when you work with knowledgeable VAR partners, you get best-in-class experts who will make sure you get exactly what you need, seamlessly.
We get it. Implementing new software is a daunting prospect: it takes time, money, and energy to find the right solution and get it set up. If you’re going to do it, you want to get it right—as painlessly as possible.
The good news is that this process is much easier and smoother now than it used to be. With cloud-based solutions, you don’t have to build anything or install anything on your servers and workstations—eliminating disruptive and time-consuming processes. And as new features are released and your business grows, all you have to do is log in to gain access to the new tools you need.
Transitioning from GP doesn’t have to be painful. Sage Intacct has been providing top-of-the-line accounting solutions for more than 20 years. And when you work with knowledgeable VAR partners, you get best-in-class experts who will make sure you get exactly what you need, seamlessly.
We’ve also been recognized as a leader in customer satisfaction for years. In fact, Sage Intacct ranked number one in customer satisfaction and earned top placement in nine additional G2 rankings in 2022.
Don’t wait until Microsoft GP reaches its end of life to prepare your business for the next step. Make the smart move: discuss Sage Intacct with your software partner to see if it’s the right solution for you.
Don’t wait until Microsoft GP reaches its end of life to prepare your business for the next step. Make the smart move: discuss Sage Intacct with your software partner to see if it’s the right solution for you.
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If you haven’t already moved to the cloud, you may be thinking about it
Businesses worldwide are accelerating their adoption of cloud software, with Gartner Research reporting that 85% of organizations will have a cloud-first strategy by 2025. Evidence of cloud benefits is widely available. Cloud deployments increase business agility and deliver four times the return on investment (ROI) than on-premise deployments.
However, your decision to move to the cloud is not black and white. If your business wasn’t born in the cloud, your digital transformation requires a firm commitment to change and a need for people with different skill sets. You may be migrating one or more on-premise systems to the cloud today or next year. But it may be that the cloud isn’t quite right for you. There is no right or wrong—it’s all about what’s suitable for your business and your individual needs. If you’re going ahead with digital transformation, then in all cases, plan in detail and set realistic expectations regarding costs, time, and outcomes before kicking off your implementation project.
Here are 10 tips on increasing your chances of success when moving financial management systems (such as ERP) to the cloud.
However, your decision to move to the cloud is not black and white. If your business wasn’t born in the cloud, your digital transformation requires a firm commitment to change and a need for people with different skill sets. You may be migrating one or more on-premise systems to the cloud today or next year. But it may be that the cloud isn’t quite right for you. There is no right or wrong—it’s all about what’s suitable for your business and your individual needs. If you’re going ahead with digital transformation, then in all cases, plan in detail and set realistic expectations regarding costs, time, and outcomes before kicking off your implementation project.
Here are 10 tips on increasing your chances of success when moving financial management systems (such as ERP) to the cloud.
1. Identify the right people
For your cloud project, you will need thought leaders who know how the business works and what they want with the software and users who will need to get comfortable with a new system. Here are three pieces of advice for getting the right people in.
Designate a project lead
Ideally, the project lead is a person who has relationships across the business and who can involve the right personnel when needed.
Get an executive sponsor
This ensures the project team appreciates the project’s importance and can cast tiebreaker votes on any issues.
Give the team incentives/rewards for their participation
Remember that they will still have their day jobs, and their involvement could require several hours of work on your behalf each week.
Designate a project lead
Ideally, the project lead is a person who has relationships across the business and who can involve the right personnel when needed.
Get an executive sponsor
This ensures the project team appreciates the project’s importance and can cast tiebreaker votes on any issues.
Give the team incentives/rewards for their participation
Remember that they will still have their day jobs, and their involvement could require several hours of work on your behalf each week.
2. Invest in and stick to the project plan
A project plan is critical to ensure everyone understands the road ahead and individual responsibilities. Be realistic with your commitments. Consider upcoming vacations, holidays, and other potential project interrupters as you devise the plan. Spend time with your service provider to define and agree on the plan’s tasks and timings and follow through on your commitments. Slight delays against the plan can quickly spiral, extending go-live dates and adding unplanned costs.
3. Don’t replicate your old world in the new world
Take time with your service provider to learn what your new software can do. There will undoubtedly be many new features and functions previously unavailable with your legacy system that could transform how you do business, even if you are simply moving to a cloud version of your on-premises software.
Don’t handcuff your new software with old software limitations
Don’t replicate existing processes, as there may be unnecessary steps due to previous system limitations or outdated processes.
Evaluate other apps and their roles in interacting with your new system
Integrating external applications into your system may be better than relying on CSV or Excel-based importing. Consider using a pre-built integration or developing your own custom system integrations. In terms of planning for integration, consider you won’t need all integrations when your systems go live. You might, for example, continue to import files via CSV or Excel for the first couple of months while you develop an automated integration in parallel.
Don’t handcuff your new software with old software limitations
Don’t replicate existing processes, as there may be unnecessary steps due to previous system limitations or outdated processes.
Evaluate other apps and their roles in interacting with your new system
Integrating external applications into your system may be better than relying on CSV or Excel-based importing. Consider using a pre-built integration or developing your own custom system integrations. In terms of planning for integration, consider you won’t need all integrations when your systems go live. You might, for example, continue to import files via CSV or Excel for the first couple of months while you develop an automated integration in parallel.
4. Start with the outputs
Think about the reporting you will want and design back. When working with a cloud financial management service provider, see if you can provide current samples of your most valuable reporting so that they can align the data design and build the reports that work for your needs when your new system goes live.
5. Include only need-to-have data initially
Converting data to a new system can be complicated and time-consuming. Think ETL.
Here’s an insider tip
Unless required for legal or business reasons, you will often find extensive data history is not needed in your new system since historical research is typically one-off. Depending on your legacy system, you may be able to retain access/extract the data for offline access.
- From Extracting the data out of your legacy system
- To Transforming it for the new system
- And then Loading into the new system
Here’s an insider tip
Unless required for legal or business reasons, you will often find extensive data history is not needed in your new system since historical research is typically one-off. Depending on your legacy system, you may be able to retain access/extract the data for offline access.
6. Design with security in mind
Encrypt sensitive data such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and credit card information when you can. If you upload sensitive data into the cloud, use secure file transfers and collaboration tools. Work with your service provider to limit access to people who need this data and deactivate and erase this data upon project completion. If you can, implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), strong passwords, and role-based access in your new system.
7. Rip the Band-Aid off
With few exceptions, switch entirely to your new system at go-live. Working in both old and new systems is time-consuming. Your users will also tend to gravitate to what they know best, focusing on the old system. This will significantly slow down the adoption of the new system, preventing you from realizing early ROI and operational improvements.
8. Going live is just the start
Even on the best implementation projects, users will not know everything when they start using the system, and that first month can be challenging. Look for your service provider to work with as you gain comfort in using the system every day, addressing questions, and assisting with the first fiscal period close. Forty-five days after go-live is an optimal project completion point for a financial management system—one month of transacting with two additional weeks to complete the first fiscal period close in your new system. Most activities repeat monthly after that—another reason not to try and work in two systems.
9. Understand it’s a journey
As the old saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day”, and the same holds for implementing sophisticated and powerful software. Be sure to partner with your service provider and software vendor, versus seeing the relationship as transactional.
10. Use a qualified service provider with a proven cloud implementation methodology
You are talking about a system that should run your business for many years. It is well worth the one-time service investment to involve experts and get it right.
Digital transformation is an evolution
Digital transformation is an evolutionary process. Constantly changing environments, habits and technology will continuously change how you do business. And with the right cloud strategy, your platforms will adapt accordingly.
Digital transformation is an evolution
Digital transformation is an evolutionary process. Constantly changing environments, habits and technology will continuously change how you do business. And with the right cloud strategy, your platforms will adapt accordingly.
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It’s time to put your legacy system behind you.
If your archenemies—spreadsheets and outdated software — are stealing valuable time, clouding your ability to plan your organization’s future, and causing widespread chaos and unnecessary costs, it’s time to move on from your legacy, on-premises financial system. By moving to the right cloud-based financial software, your organization can enjoy these 6 benefits.
1 . Mega efficiency
Transferring data between spreadsheets, keying in data multiple times, and other manual processes create time-wasting—and potentially costly—errors and redundancies. An automated, cloud-based solution can knock out these inefficiencies.
2. Always run the latest and greatest
Running outdated software on old servers because it's too expensive and difficult to update opens your organization to reliability, security, and noncompliance risks. Embrace a cloud solution for automatic updates and no downtime.
83%
of Sage Intacct customers report they reduced the technical burden of maintaining financial applications by moving to Sage Intacct.
3. Dazzling data visualizations and real-time reporting
You can’t address organizational problems when you can’t see them due to tangle of spreadsheets, disconnected databases, and slow batch processing. Improve your sightline with end-to-end visibility and self-service reporting.
4. Multi-entity superpowers
Multi-entity operations are complex enough. Adding entities, handling multiple charts of accounts and currencies, and managing consolidation activities shouldn’t be. You need finance software purpose-built for multi-entity management with a view across entities.
88%
of those who reported prior difficulties adapting software to new business requirements say they wish they had switched to Sage Intacct sooner
5. Accelerated time to-close and audits
With fewer manual processes, spreadsheets, errors, and data silos—and more trustworthy data and multi-entity capabilities—your finance team can accelerate your time-to-close and ease the audit burden.
6. Painless implementation and quicker ROI
Today’s SaaS implementations are not like the painful on-prem migrations of the past. Choosing a cloud-based SaaS with powerful integrations, robust features, and advanced analytics helps minimize implementation time and costs.
Make the smart move today
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When it comes to implementing new financial software, the rules have changed.
Making the jump to cloud-based technology
If you’re delaying the move from a legacy, on-premises technology like Microsoft Dynamics GP to a cloud-based finance system because you remember the long, painful software implementations of the past, it’s time to bust some myths.
Today’s cloud-based solutions like Sage Intacct bring countless benefits, including added efficiency, higher levels of security, easier scalability, and a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Best of all, organizations of any size can implement cloud software quickly with minimal disruption, lower costs, and less IT involvement than you’d expect.
Join us as we bust 7 common software implementation myths and learn just how easy it is to upgrade to a new
best-in-class solution.
If you’re delaying the move from a legacy, on-premises technology like Microsoft Dynamics GP to a cloud-based finance system because you remember the long, painful software implementations of the past, it’s time to bust some myths.
Today’s cloud-based solutions like Sage Intacct bring countless benefits, including added efficiency, higher levels of security, easier scalability, and a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Best of all, organizations of any size can implement cloud software quickly with minimal disruption, lower costs, and less IT involvement than you’d expect.
Join us as we bust 7 common software implementation myths and learn just how easy it is to upgrade to a new
best-in-class solution.
The Sage Intacct Marketplace
lets you choose from hundreds of easily integrated solutions you can use to streamline workflows, enhance automation, simplify payroll, and more.
lets you choose from hundreds of easily integrated solutions you can use to streamline workflows, enhance automation, simplify payroll, and more.
Myth 1: The install process will be brutal
Traditional software migrations—usually performed on legacy
technology with updates on disks—often created many snafus, including server issues and access problems. Cloud-based software eliminates every one of these headaches for a simple reason: there’s nothing to install. Instead, you get provisioned access to an always-available and up-to-date environment that you can access online.
Traditional software migrations—usually performed on legacy
technology with updates on disks—often created many snafus, including server issues and access problems. Cloud-based software eliminates every one of these headaches for a simple reason: there’s nothing to install. Instead, you get provisioned access to an always-available and up-to-date environment that you can access online.
Myth 2: We’ll have to code everything
In the past, if you wanted to customize an on-premises financial software system, you needed to know complex coding languages like Dexterity, Visual Basic, or PowerBuilder. That meant the only people who could do the migration work were a few select members of your team—or pricy consultants. Sage Intacct is customized by clicks, not code. Robust out-of-the-box features and a network of easy-to-add integrations give you flexibility without complexity. And when you work with a certified Sage Intacct implementation partner, we’ll meet with you to understand your organization’s unique requirements and configure your instance to meet those needs.
In the past, if you wanted to customize an on-premises financial software system, you needed to know complex coding languages like Dexterity, Visual Basic, or PowerBuilder. That meant the only people who could do the migration work were a few select members of your team—or pricy consultants. Sage Intacct is customized by clicks, not code. Robust out-of-the-box features and a network of easy-to-add integrations give you flexibility without complexity. And when you work with a certified Sage Intacct implementation partner, we’ll meet with you to understand your organization’s unique requirements and configure your instance to meet those needs.
Myth 3: Our IT team can't handle this right now
While IT should always have a seat at the table, business users typically take the lead in cloud-based implementations. The finance team gives the implementation partner the data they need to get started—vendor lists, customer lists, General Ledger balances, etc. Then, your implementation partner will do the heavy lifting by populating that data into standardized templates and setting up your environment. You’ll have a front seat for configuration and integration decisions and not have to wait until the IT team has an opening on their project docket.
While IT should always have a seat at the table, business users typically take the lead in cloud-based implementations. The finance team gives the implementation partner the data they need to get started—vendor lists, customer lists, General Ledger balances, etc. Then, your implementation partner will do the heavy lifting by populating that data into standardized templates and setting up your environment. You’ll have a front seat for configuration and integration decisions and not have to wait until the IT team has an opening on their project docket.
Myth 4: Software installations create redundant work
Old-school migrations often required parallel testing with finance teams working in the old and new systems simultaneously until the older one was phased out. This didn’t just double the workload, it hampered adoption rates, as employees stayed committed to the old, familiar system as the source of truth.
Today, implementation is handled on a module-by-module basis while daily work continues unabated. Your data is uploaded, validated, and approved right before the live date, with just the open bills and invoices being uploaded right after the system goes live. This process allows maximum control and minimum disruption—and no redundant work.
Old-school migrations often required parallel testing with finance teams working in the old and new systems simultaneously until the older one was phased out. This didn’t just double the workload, it hampered adoption rates, as employees stayed committed to the old, familiar system as the source of truth.
Today, implementation is handled on a module-by-module basis while daily work continues unabated. Your data is uploaded, validated, and approved right before the live date, with just the open bills and invoices being uploaded right after the system goes live. This process allows maximum control and minimum disruption—and no redundant work.
Myth 5: New technology takes too long to learn
Cloud-based accounting software is built with the end user in mind. Most clients find they’re able to do everything they did with their existing system—and more. It’s easy to learn and access, too. Users have anywhere, anytime access through a browser with no need to use a Windows PC. Thorough documentation allows users to click on any screen and get information about how to use new features and functions more effectively. Clients who opt for premium memberships can also access the Sage Intacct Training Center, which is filled with helpful on-demand and instructor-led how-to courses.
Cloud-based accounting software is built with the end user in mind. Most clients find they’re able to do everything they did with their existing system—and more. It’s easy to learn and access, too. Users have anywhere, anytime access through a browser with no need to use a Windows PC. Thorough documentation allows users to click on any screen and get information about how to use new features and functions more effectively. Clients who opt for premium memberships can also access the Sage Intacct Training Center, which is filled with helpful on-demand and instructor-led how-to courses.
Myth 6: We'll have to rush month-end close
You can upload your GL data into cloud-based accounting software at any time. A best practice is to time your go-live right after a close period. This will give you nearly 30 days to the next close to upload the historic data you need for reporting, as well as adjust to and optimize the new system. Your implementation team will be there at every step over the first 45 days of go-live— including your first close—to answer any questions. After that first close, most of your tasks will repeat monthly.
You can upload your GL data into cloud-based accounting software at any time. A best practice is to time your go-live right after a close period. This will give you nearly 30 days to the next close to upload the historic data you need for reporting, as well as adjust to and optimize the new system. Your implementation team will be there at every step over the first 45 days of go-live— including your first close—to answer any questions. After that first close, most of your tasks will repeat monthly.
Myth 7: The costs of tech support alone will sink us
With no hardware needed and no physical server infrastructure necessary, the capital expenses and hefty maintenance contracts associated with on-premises systems disappear when you switch to the cloud. Costly upgrades become a relic of the past, as Sage Intacct automatically updates its cloud software four times each year. You’ll enjoy a more cost-effective implementation, a lower TCO, and 24-hour customer support.
With no hardware needed and no physical server infrastructure necessary, the capital expenses and hefty maintenance contracts associated with on-premises systems disappear when you switch to the cloud. Costly upgrades become a relic of the past, as Sage Intacct automatically updates its cloud software four times each year. You’ll enjoy a more cost-effective implementation, a lower TCO, and 24-hour customer support.
Forget about the time-consuming and expensive software migrations of the past. Today, organizations can implement cloud-based accounting software in just a few months with no downtime. Our certified experts will work with you at your own pace and create the smoothest transition possible, so you can reap the cloud’s many financial and operational rewards.
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See what your organization can gain by moving to the cloud.
As the size, complexity, and pace of your organization grows, frustrations around legacy software solutions can multiply. On-premise systems like Microsoft Dynamics GP served organizations well in the past before cloud software existed, but over time, they have become a barrier to growth and efficiency. In today’s fast-paced, complex world, you can’t afford spiraling costs, functional limitations, manual work, and spreadsheet inefficiencies—not to mention the pains of manual updates.
Is it time to move on? Take a look at these five signs to see if your current system is holding you back and learn what to look for in a best-in-class cloud finance system.
Is it time to move on? Take a look at these five signs to see if your current system is holding you back and learn what to look for in a best-in-class cloud finance system.
01
You’re on an old release and outdated infrastructure
With so many responsibilities, it’s no surprise that many finance departments aren’t laser-focused on their software infrastructure. If your organization hasn’t upgraded its accounting system for years, it can lead to significant risks.
- Outdated software can translate into reliability, downtime, and security issues. And the longer you go without updates, the harder it can be to catch up.
- On-premise systems can require new servers every few years or with growth or acquisitions, incurring significant hardware, IT, and consulting costs.
- When teams “make do” with outdated tools, workarounds, spreadsheets, and manual interventions, it can cause errors and glacially slow closes and audits.
A better way:
Look for a purpose-built cloud finance solution that offers touch-free upgrades deployed and managed by the vendor. With faster deployment and virtually zero unplanned downtime, you’ll accelerate your ROI.
Look for a purpose-built cloud finance solution that offers touch-free upgrades deployed and managed by the vendor. With faster deployment and virtually zero unplanned downtime, you’ll accelerate your ROI.
02
You’re held back by disconnected systems and spreadsheets
Finance works best when you can seamlessly collaborate with other departments and functions. Unfortunately, legacy accounting systems often aren’t well-integrated with other tools and systems. That leaves you trapped in manual processes, spreadsheets, cumbersome workarounds, and slow workflows as you manage conflicting formats and rekey the same data in multiple systems.
The cost of integrating your on-premise system with various applications and databases can be prohibitively high—and near impossible if you’re running an old version. At the same time, moving to a suite vendor for a “unified” solution may not be best either. A single-solution approach exposes you to many pitfalls, including one-size-fits-all technology adoption that may not be the right fit for your company and that requires costly custom integrations.
The cost of integrating your on-premise system with various applications and databases can be prohibitively high—and near impossible if you’re running an old version. At the same time, moving to a suite vendor for a “unified” solution may not be best either. A single-solution approach exposes you to many pitfalls, including one-size-fits-all technology adoption that may not be the right fit for your company and that requires costly custom integrations.
Why cloud? Why now?
- Automatic disaster recovery
- Significantly improved security
- Virtually zero unplanned downtime
- Anytime/anywhere productivity
- Touch-free upgrades
- Faster deployment
- A better ROI
A better way:
Look for a solution that includes deep, prebuilt integrations for key applications (such as payroll) to automate mission-critical workflows like order-to-cash. Flexibility is key, so also consider solutions that can provide phased integrations you can add features as your organization needs them.
Look for a solution that includes deep, prebuilt integrations for key applications (such as payroll) to automate mission-critical workflows like order-to-cash. Flexibility is key, so also consider solutions that can provide phased integrations you can add features as your organization needs them.
03
You can’t keep up with expansion
As you expand your operations into new markets and geographies, finance can become overwhelmed quickly. Soon enough, you’re handling new subsidiaries with more currencies, tax jurisdictions, regulatory frameworks, and costs. And if you’re growing through acquisition, the added complexity isn’t gradual. It’s immediate.
Unfortunately, Dynamics GP wasn’t designed to support multi-entity accounting well. It can be difficult to add entities quickly. If you have multiple entities using different accounting systems, you may be trying to stitch together a consolidated view. That leaves you with piles of spreadsheets, more manual entry, and the inability to easily track financials across different lines of business, subsidiaries, or nonprofit entities.
Unfortunately, Dynamics GP wasn’t designed to support multi-entity accounting well. It can be difficult to add entities quickly. If you have multiple entities using different accounting systems, you may be trying to stitch together a consolidated view. That leaves you with piles of spreadsheets, more manual entry, and the inability to easily track financials across different lines of business, subsidiaries, or nonprofit entities.
A better way:
Your financial management solution should be designed to grow with you. Look for a solution that allows you to quickly streamline financial consolidations; easily add entities; and gain detailed visibility, a shared chart and workflows, and real-time data across all entities.
Your financial management solution should be designed to grow with you. Look for a solution that allows you to quickly streamline financial consolidations; easily add entities; and gain detailed visibility, a shared chart and workflows, and real-time data across all entities.
04
You aren’t able to fully track your finances
Financial success depends on the ability to see what’s happening in all areas of your organization, especially if your operations or market conditions are changing rapidly.
Today, finance leaders must tell visual stories with data to help the teams make informed, timely decisions. More people across the organization need self-service access to better reports in real-time dashboards that show key metrics and enable them to drill down for details. You can’t accomplish either of these goals if it takes weeks to assemble, present, and analyze that data.
Chances are, your team is still operating in batch-processing mode—slowly and with no real-time visibility—simply to deliver rigid financial reports. Even in the best case, you’re forced to rely on third-party reporting and analysis tools to get even basic answers. When you can’t create new reports, ask new questions, or customize reports to reflect changing business needs, that’s not the right direction for your organization.
Today, finance leaders must tell visual stories with data to help the teams make informed, timely decisions. More people across the organization need self-service access to better reports in real-time dashboards that show key metrics and enable them to drill down for details. You can’t accomplish either of these goals if it takes weeks to assemble, present, and analyze that data.
Chances are, your team is still operating in batch-processing mode—slowly and with no real-time visibility—simply to deliver rigid financial reports. Even in the best case, you’re forced to rely on third-party reporting and analysis tools to get even basic answers. When you can’t create new reports, ask new questions, or customize reports to reflect changing business needs, that’s not the right direction for your organization.
A better way:
Your next financial management solution must provide instant reporting, dashboards with drill-down capabilities across all entities, robust built-in reporting of key metrics, and customizable self-service reports and dashboards.
Your next financial management solution must provide instant reporting, dashboards with drill-down capabilities across all entities, robust built-in reporting of key metrics, and customizable self-service reports and dashboards.
05
You need remote capabilities
One of the biggest resilience lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic is that employees must be empowered to work securely from any location. When your finances are being managed through a combination of on-premise software and spreadsheets, your organization lacks the agility needed to face unexpected crises that prevent employees from working on site.
A secondary lesson was that many employees love the ability to work remotely. Indeed, 85% of Americans surveyed prefer to apply for jobs that offer remote flexibility.1 Providing this flexibility also allows you to expand your recruitment search nation-wide. If you want to attract the best and brightest prospective employees, providing software tools with anywhere/anytime access that make work easier and more efficient is crucial.
A secondary lesson was that many employees love the ability to work remotely. Indeed, 85% of Americans surveyed prefer to apply for jobs that offer remote flexibility.1 Providing this flexibility also allows you to expand your recruitment search nation-wide. If you want to attract the best and brightest prospective employees, providing software tools with anywhere/anytime access that make work easier and more efficient is crucial.
A better way:
Cloud software offers all this and more. In addition to being accessible from any browser on any operating system, it is regularly updated with no costly, time-consuming work required from your IT team. Now you can ensure your employees are working more productively using the latest version of your financial software.
Cloud software offers all this and more. In addition to being accessible from any browser on any operating system, it is regularly updated with no costly, time-consuming work required from your IT team. Now you can ensure your employees are working more productively using the latest version of your financial software.
Time to grow
While Microsoft Dynamics GP has helped you meet finance and accounting challenges in the past, it lacks what most forward-looking organizations need for today and tomorrow. Your team needs anywhere/anytime access to your tools, to perform financial closes and audits faster, to automate process transactions more efficiently, and to deliver deeper financial insights in real-time across the organization.
As you consider your alternatives, a built-for-cloud, best-in-class finance solution is your best move—one that’s designed to not only meet today's needs but also to adapt as your organization grows.
While Microsoft Dynamics GP has helped you meet finance and accounting challenges in the past, it lacks what most forward-looking organizations need for today and tomorrow. Your team needs anywhere/anytime access to your tools, to perform financial closes and audits faster, to automate process transactions more efficiently, and to deliver deeper financial insights in real-time across the organization.
As you consider your alternatives, a built-for-cloud, best-in-class finance solution is your best move—one that’s designed to not only meet today's needs but also to adapt as your organization grows.
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Leaf Software Solutions is happy to be an Underwriting Sponsor for the Indianapolis Business Journal Power Breakfast Series – Technology taking place at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis on February 15, 2023.
When you attend this event, you’ll hear from top tech entrepreneurs, investors, and up-and-comers who are building the city’s technology economy. Questions for the panelists include:
Q: Why is TechPoint’s effort to grow the state’s tech workforce so important?
Q: Have layoffs in the tech industry eased the local workforce crunch?
Q: Are tech firm pushing more people to return to the office?
Q: What’s the outlook for venture investment in 2023?
The event kicks off with a keynote from Mung Chiang, President of Purdue University followed by a discussion with the following featured panelists:
Networking starts at 7:30AM with the program commencing at 8:00AM. Reserve your seat here: https://www.ibj.com/events/2023/power-breakfast-series-technology
Please register by February 9, 2023. Tickets are $55 for IBJ Subscribers, $65 for non-subscribers. Corporate tables of 10 are available for $1,100 and include table signage and a listing in both the program and event thank you ad.
What can Leaf Software Solutions do for you? Please contact us at info@leafsoftwaresolutions.com or use our contact form and we’d be happy to start a conversation.
When you attend this event, you’ll hear from top tech entrepreneurs, investors, and up-and-comers who are building the city’s technology economy. Questions for the panelists include:
Q: Why is TechPoint’s effort to grow the state’s tech workforce so important?
Q: Have layoffs in the tech industry eased the local workforce crunch?
Q: Are tech firm pushing more people to return to the office?
Q: What’s the outlook for venture investment in 2023?
The event kicks off with a keynote from Mung Chiang, President of Purdue University followed by a discussion with the following featured panelists:
- Anushree M Bag, Chief Information Officer, Indiana Department of Child Services
- Amy Brown, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Authenticx
- Emil Ekiyor, Chief Executive Officer, InnoPower
- Scott McCorkle, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, MetaCX
- Ting Gootee, CFA, CAIA, President & Chief Executive Officer, TechPoint
- Moderated by Susan Orr, Technology Reporter, Indianapolis Business Journal
Networking starts at 7:30AM with the program commencing at 8:00AM. Reserve your seat here: https://www.ibj.com/events/2023/power-breakfast-series-technology
Please register by February 9, 2023. Tickets are $55 for IBJ Subscribers, $65 for non-subscribers. Corporate tables of 10 are available for $1,100 and include table signage and a listing in both the program and event thank you ad.
What can Leaf Software Solutions do for you? Please contact us at info@leafsoftwaresolutions.com or use our contact form and we’d be happy to start a conversation.
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Leaf Software Solutions is happy to be a contributing sponsor for the Indianapolis Business Journal’s 2022 Women of Influence event taking place Thursday October 27 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 West Washington Street in Indianapolis. The event features the 2022 class of women being recognized for their success in the business community while revealing the triumphs and challenges that have shaped their careers.
The event is followed by a special supplement included in the October 28 edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal featuring the 2022 Class of Women of Influence.
As a contributing sponsor, Leaf Software Solutions is supporting the Indianapolis Business Journal’s efforts to recognize the importance of featuring business innovators in our community.
What can Leaf Software Solutions do for you? Please contact us at info@leafsoftwaresolutions.com or use our contact form and we’d be happy to start a conversation.
As a contributing sponsor, Leaf Software Solutions is supporting the Indianapolis Business Journal’s efforts to recognize the importance of featuring business innovators in our community.
What can Leaf Software Solutions do for you? Please contact us at info@leafsoftwaresolutions.com or use our contact form and we’d be happy to start a conversation.
- Published on
Ease of reporting and standardized accounting practices realized.
Anne Ward, Chief Financial Officer at Indiana Legal Services shared her experience migrating from an on-premises accounting software program to the cloud accounting software solution Sage Intacct.
Tell us about Indiana Legal Services. What accounting challenges did you have?
Indiana Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm operating out of eight branches throughout Indiana. We receive funding from over 70 sources, with the main grantor being federally funded. ILS provides free legal assistance to low-income residents. As far as accounting challenges go, providing customized reports by project, by location, and by funding source takes a ton of time.
Tell us about Indiana Legal Services. What accounting challenges did you have?
Indiana Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm operating out of eight branches throughout Indiana. We receive funding from over 70 sources, with the main grantor being federally funded. ILS provides free legal assistance to low-income residents. As far as accounting challenges go, providing customized reports by project, by location, and by funding source takes a ton of time.
Why were you looking to upgrade your accounting software?
The software we were using, Microsoft Dynamics SL (Solomon), was installed on a dedicated server in our office which had to be maintained and updated. When updates were made, the server was down for a period of time. In addition, the support contract we had was with an out of state vendor, and we were getting less and less attention from them.
The major motivator to make a change came from our funding sources – they were requiring more granular reports which our current software simply could not produce. From a reporting perspective, people would be assigned to a project, and we were accounting for their time using full time equivalency. Our major funders required us to clock the hours each employee spent on the various projects, and that was hard for us to do with what we had. If we were not able to provide good data to our funding sources, that could impact funding decisions for the next year.
The software we were using, Microsoft Dynamics SL (Solomon), was installed on a dedicated server in our office which had to be maintained and updated. When updates were made, the server was down for a period of time. In addition, the support contract we had was with an out of state vendor, and we were getting less and less attention from them.
The major motivator to make a change came from our funding sources – they were requiring more granular reports which our current software simply could not produce. From a reporting perspective, people would be assigned to a project, and we were accounting for their time using full time equivalency. Our major funders required us to clock the hours each employee spent on the various projects, and that was hard for us to do with what we had. If we were not able to provide good data to our funding sources, that could impact funding decisions for the next year.
Background
During the collaborative discovery process, Leaf and Indiana Legal Services identified the following major pain points with their current accounting software:
The following software requirements were identified:
During the collaborative discovery process, Leaf and Indiana Legal Services identified the following major pain points with their current accounting software:
- Lack of multi-location support
- Insufficient feature set creates inefficiencies in accounting operations
- Cost of keeping existing on-prem system operating
- Duplication within Chart of Accounts
- Inconsistencies in coding of data
The following software requirements were identified:
- Consistent and standard accounting practices
- Create efficiencies in operations
- Satisfy internal and external reporting requirements
- Minimize use of Excel
- Ability to scale with organizational growth
What other pain were you experiencing around your accounting department?
We had a separate reporting software called Microsoft FRx that was installed on only one computer in the office, and only one person knew how to run reports. Even though we were going through some organizational changes, we had a keen understanding of the need to have something better in our accounting department. We understood the benefits of moving to a cloud-based service, so our eyes were open to change.
We had to bring our accounting practices in line. As an example, we were distinguishing our various funding sources using several 4000 level revenue accounts – which made our chart of accounts enormous. Some funding sources had codes, some didn’t, plus we had a sub account for every location. We also had sub accounts for projects. There was very little consistency with what we were doing. This worked fine if a funding source only applied to single location, but as we grew, the same funding source would span multiple offices, quickly creating quite a bit of complexity.
We had a separate reporting software called Microsoft FRx that was installed on only one computer in the office, and only one person knew how to run reports. Even though we were going through some organizational changes, we had a keen understanding of the need to have something better in our accounting department. We understood the benefits of moving to a cloud-based service, so our eyes were open to change.
We had to bring our accounting practices in line. As an example, we were distinguishing our various funding sources using several 4000 level revenue accounts – which made our chart of accounts enormous. Some funding sources had codes, some didn’t, plus we had a sub account for every location. We also had sub accounts for projects. There was very little consistency with what we were doing. This worked fine if a funding source only applied to single location, but as we grew, the same funding source would span multiple offices, quickly creating quite a bit of complexity.
What accounting software did you consider on your journey?
We started with our current Dynamics SL provider – they were trying to introduce us to their cloud solution, but they missed a couple appointments, and we were not thrilled with the level of customer service they offered. We also looked at MIP Fund Accounting.
How did you learn about Leaf?
We attended an Indiana CPA Society conference for nonprofits and met the Leaf staff working a booth at the conference. We asked some questions, got their business cards, and started researching the solutions they provided.
What motivated you towards Sage Intacct?
Leaf and Sage Intacct invited me to attend the Sage Intacct customer conference in Las Vegas. Even though I only attended for a day and a half, I was connected to a lot of other people who were using the product. They set me up with other nonprofit accounting professionals who understood what I needed. That made a huge difference in my decision.
How did the Leaf sales and onboarding process set you up for success with Sage Intacct?
We had a lot of information from Sage Intacct, plus I spoke to other users who gave me the confidence to make an educated decision and confirm that this was the right direction to take. Leaf was very patient with us; they took the time to do things right. And even though we were stretched thin in our accounting department, Leaf accommodated our busy schedules.
While I have never been through a software change like this before, the whole implementation process was explained to us way in advance, so we knew exactly what to expect. It’s scary to say we’re going to switch everything over and go to a whole new system. Leaf made us feel comfortable – we knew they’d be right by our side while we made this change, and they gave us confidence it would be done right. Leaf had us attend whiteboard sessions to discuss all the options and alternatives and we decided together what was best for us. We collaborated and found the best route to take to meet our needs.
How has your life changed since making this decision?
Our accounting processes are much more efficient now. I’m running monthly financial reports within 10 days of the end of the month – which was unheard of in the past when I was running reports 3 months behind if I was lucky.
I am now able to provide the reports that people want. I was simply not able to do that before. Since our grantors are all different, and our grant periods are different, we had to create reports based on different periods of time. In the past, I’d manually cobble those together to get what we needed for the reports that were required. Now, I can run a general ledger report and get what I need in minutes. That has made my life much easier and much less stressful.
Sage Intacct Dimensions has enabled us to clean up our accounting. We now further classify locations and projects to a certain funding source. For instance, I can run a report on all the projects coming out of the Indianapolis office that were funded by a grant from the United Way. I know it sounds like a simple thing to do, but we were not able to do that before. We enter the information in a simple way, and then extract it in a much more sophisticated way without having to jump through hoops to get meaningful reports.
What else has switching to Sage Intacct allowed you to do?
Several things! Our year-end practices used to be a nightmare due to our lack of consistency. Plus, with the multiple funding sources creating over 30 revenue accounts (typically we should have had only 3 or 4), our revenue and expenses were very difficult to track. Additionally, we manually tracked all our A/R on a spreadsheet. Now, when we invoice our grantors, an automatic entry is made in accounts receivable.
Changing to Sage Intacct has allowed us to clean up our accounting processes. We’re practicing much tighter controls and processes around accounting. We now have consistency in the way we do things.
How else has your world changed?
Quite frankly, I’m way less stressed. I arrive at the office without being behind on my work. I can now handle requests from my coworkers, and I’m probably a lot nicer person to be around! I’m confident I can get my job done during the day without unfinished work hanging over me. I didn’t have that level of comfort before, so this software has literally changed my life.
We started with our current Dynamics SL provider – they were trying to introduce us to their cloud solution, but they missed a couple appointments, and we were not thrilled with the level of customer service they offered. We also looked at MIP Fund Accounting.
How did you learn about Leaf?
We attended an Indiana CPA Society conference for nonprofits and met the Leaf staff working a booth at the conference. We asked some questions, got their business cards, and started researching the solutions they provided.
What motivated you towards Sage Intacct?
Leaf and Sage Intacct invited me to attend the Sage Intacct customer conference in Las Vegas. Even though I only attended for a day and a half, I was connected to a lot of other people who were using the product. They set me up with other nonprofit accounting professionals who understood what I needed. That made a huge difference in my decision.
How did the Leaf sales and onboarding process set you up for success with Sage Intacct?
We had a lot of information from Sage Intacct, plus I spoke to other users who gave me the confidence to make an educated decision and confirm that this was the right direction to take. Leaf was very patient with us; they took the time to do things right. And even though we were stretched thin in our accounting department, Leaf accommodated our busy schedules.
While I have never been through a software change like this before, the whole implementation process was explained to us way in advance, so we knew exactly what to expect. It’s scary to say we’re going to switch everything over and go to a whole new system. Leaf made us feel comfortable – we knew they’d be right by our side while we made this change, and they gave us confidence it would be done right. Leaf had us attend whiteboard sessions to discuss all the options and alternatives and we decided together what was best for us. We collaborated and found the best route to take to meet our needs.
How has your life changed since making this decision?
Our accounting processes are much more efficient now. I’m running monthly financial reports within 10 days of the end of the month – which was unheard of in the past when I was running reports 3 months behind if I was lucky.
I am now able to provide the reports that people want. I was simply not able to do that before. Since our grantors are all different, and our grant periods are different, we had to create reports based on different periods of time. In the past, I’d manually cobble those together to get what we needed for the reports that were required. Now, I can run a general ledger report and get what I need in minutes. That has made my life much easier and much less stressful.
Sage Intacct Dimensions has enabled us to clean up our accounting. We now further classify locations and projects to a certain funding source. For instance, I can run a report on all the projects coming out of the Indianapolis office that were funded by a grant from the United Way. I know it sounds like a simple thing to do, but we were not able to do that before. We enter the information in a simple way, and then extract it in a much more sophisticated way without having to jump through hoops to get meaningful reports.
What else has switching to Sage Intacct allowed you to do?
Several things! Our year-end practices used to be a nightmare due to our lack of consistency. Plus, with the multiple funding sources creating over 30 revenue accounts (typically we should have had only 3 or 4), our revenue and expenses were very difficult to track. Additionally, we manually tracked all our A/R on a spreadsheet. Now, when we invoice our grantors, an automatic entry is made in accounts receivable.
Changing to Sage Intacct has allowed us to clean up our accounting processes. We’re practicing much tighter controls and processes around accounting. We now have consistency in the way we do things.
How else has your world changed?
Quite frankly, I’m way less stressed. I arrive at the office without being behind on my work. I can now handle requests from my coworkers, and I’m probably a lot nicer person to be around! I’m confident I can get my job done during the day without unfinished work hanging over me. I didn’t have that level of comfort before, so this software has literally changed my life.
Leaf Software Solutions Can Help You, Too
Ready to find out how Leaf can help you navigate through business change? Please schedule an appointment here. Our consultative approach ensures you’re getting much more than software. We’ll work alongside you as a true business partner.