Picking the Right Tax Software for Your Needs
UAC Has Designed a Comparison Chart for Your Assistance
Tax software has grown up over the last few years. Products have advanced with improved functionality to meet your business needs. But with all the products out there how do you choose the right one for you? In May of this year The CPA Journal Online released the results of its annual survey of New York State practitioners regarding tax software. This year’s survey was the sixth of its kind and was issued to a broader range of practitioners and included an online questionnaire. The survey was sent to over 5,000 New York State practitioners included in the New York State Society of CPA’s database as well as to past survey participants. Results are based on the 153 surveys returned.
Download the Tax Software Comparison.pdf.
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The survey determined that common considerations in choosing a software package include cost, customer support, ease-of-use, familiarity, features, and updates; respondents were least satisfied with cost. When asked to name the features they considered most important, respondents listed ease of use followed by available features.
While ease of use and customer service were the two characteristics that didn’t seem to influence the purchasing of software, both were highly rated. With a learning curve of 5 hours, most programs seem to be fairly intuitive. Also, with an average of 10 calls placed to customer service and an average wait time of 5 minutes per call, software providers seem to be improving their services.
93% of respondents indicated that they use at least one software package while 24% indicated that they use more than one. 12% of those surveyed said they plan to change tax software shortly.
Those software packages with the most responses were also the most highly rated. The leading programs include CCH ProSystem fx and Lacerte Software.
Overall, responses indicated that practitioners are satisfied with tax software. However, because the survey was broadened this year to include lower-level employees, responses also indicated that those using the software may not be as satisfied with it as those responsible for purchasing it.
UAC Has Gathered Comparison Data to Help You Choose
Universal Accounting Center is continually looking for ways to assist you in your career as a tax professional. In order to better support you in making your own decision regarding tax software we have gathered comparison data on leading programs. Our 64-point comparison chart is based on the following software characteristics:
- Data input
- Diagnostics
- Depreciation
- Printing
- Billing Features
- 1120 Price Comparisons
- 1120S Price Comparisons
- 1065 Price Comparisons
- Technical Support
Please use this chart to determine which features and characteristics are most important to you. Only then can you make an informed decision that will assist you this upcoming tax season. We wish you the best of luck!
References
Anders, Susan B. and Carol M. Fischer. “A Clear Look at Tax Software: 2007 Annual Survey of New York State Practitioners.” May 2007. The CPA Journal Online.
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