Sage Software — Sage MIP Fund Accounting

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From the Oct. 2006 Review of Not-for-Profit Accounting Systems

Since 1982, Sage Software has been providing fund accounting software for small to midsize nonprofit organizations, including state and local government agencies, through Sage MIP Fund Accounting. Formerly known as MIP Fund Accounting, version 8 of this comprehensive software product will soon be introduced to the public. Although version 7.1 is reviewed here, anticipated features for version 8 will be noted, as well.

EASE OF USE/FLEXIBILITY -- 5 Stars
The main screen has a user-friendly interface with a drop-down menu at the top that provides access to module functions. To the left of the screen is a list of installed modules, and clicking on a tab will display a flowchart with options available in that particular module. The Report Manager function will appear to the right of the flowchart, displaying the various reports available in that module. Your home screen can be customized to display custom links such as frequently used tasks or web links. You can also choose the default homepage of your choice, choosing from any of the modules displayed to the left. Data-entry screens are easily navigated, with lookup features for all fields. The reports list can also be customized by choosing report “favorites,” which simplifies report processing. The optional Data Import/Export module allows for easy import of data from a variety of third-party sources as well as the export of information to word processing or spreadsheet programs.

MODULES/SCALABILITY -- 5 Stars
The core GL module is designed to work with the other Sage MIP Fund Accounting modules, including AP, AR Billing and Reporting, Grant Administration, Allocations Management, Budget, Direct Deposit, Purchase Orders, Encumbrances, and several others. Sage also offers a single-user system, which comes complete with GL, Budget, AP, AR, Bank Reconciliation, Data Import/Export, and Forms Designer modules. This is ideal for a small nonprofit that desires a powerful software program in anticipation of future growth. In addition to its fund accounting software, Sage Software also offers Sage Fundraising and Sage Endowment Management solutions, which fully integrate with the core financial software for an all-in-one nonprofit solution.

FEATURES/FUNCTIONALITY -- 5 Stars
Version 8 of Sage MIP Fund Accounting is due out in September 2006. Included in the new version is a multicurrency module that will allow you to process foreign currency and produce financial statements in any currency. A new Inventory Control module will also be available, which will integrate with both Purchasing, Requisitions and AR modules, and comply with inventory valuation requirements. A Sales Order module will also be offered in version 8. The Sales Order module will allow automatic processing of AR invoices for established customers, and will process both inventory and non-inventory orders and provide GAAP-compliant revenue management.

Sage MIP Fund Accounting offers the option to produce cross-fiscal year reports, automatically balances funds, and can easily forecast budgets using a variety of scenarios. The Grant Administration module will track detail grant information, including contact data, forecasting of expenses, indirect cost rates and personal notes. Custom fields are available to track information that you need, and you can quickly view past due invoices, payments received and credits on each grant separately. The Allocations Management module lets you allocate funds on multiple levels, including fixed or percentage. Sage MIP Fund Accounting also allows multi-segment allocation capability and includes a wizard designed to assist new users in creating account combinations.

REPORTING -- 5 Stars
Reporting options in Sage MIP Fund Accounting are excellent. Over 140 standard reports, including required compliance reports such as FASB 117 and IRS Form 990, are available. Because of the built-in report writer, you can customize any part of any report. Cross-fiscal year reporting is available, and you can set up and save your own report templates for future use. The Report Manager module offers access to various report types. You can also assign report groups, format your financial statements, and group specific reports together for printing using the Report Binder feature. All reports are easily exported to a variety of file types including Word, Excel, XML or *.PDF.

SUPPORT/HELP -- 5 Stars
Sage MIP Fund Accounting offers the Gold ClientCare Maintenance and Support Plan, which includes unlimited e-support and telephone support from Sage’s Austin, Texas-based SCP-certified support center throughout the year, access to the online know-ledgebase, free annual software upgrades, free main-tenance releases, and access to software downloads. An excellent Help function is included, and Sage Software also offers online training sessions, onsite training and classroom training at Sage Software University.