project software for charities

project software for charities

Didn't find your answer?

I have just started work for a not for profit environmental charity. We have multiple projects at any time (currently 19) which all have independant funding as well as their own costs. Does anyone know of a suitable accounting software which can cope with these projects when they appear on the company books as balance sheet items and not just profit and loss items?
I would be grateful for any input.
Thanks
Margaret Radcliffe

Replies (8)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

aw_logo_2019
By Accounting WEB
09th Mar 2002 13:53

Thank you to everyone who has sent a response to my request for advice. We are looking into some of the options and when a decision has been reached I will post the results.
Thank you again
Margaret

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
01st Mar 2002 10:08

Quickbooks is very reasonably priced and as a former Community Accountant, I would have no hesitation in recommending it for the reasons stated below by another contributor.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
01st Mar 2002 11:05

project software for charities
Hi Margaret

I have worked with several charities in the past and am familiar with the issues that a charity organisation typically faces.

I currently work for a Microsoft Great Plains reseller and have also sold Sun Systems. Both of these prodcuts are used fairly extensively within the charity marketplace.

They are both mid-range solutions however Great Plains do offer a 25% discount to all UK registered charities.

If you want to have a chat about how Great Plains (and Sun for that matter) could help you with your Project accounting requirements, I would be delighted to help.

My contact details are below, we also have a stand and are running seminars at the upcoming Softworld exhibition. The Project Seminar is in Seminar Room C9 at 15:00. You can find us on Stand 108 which is near the Great Plains stand.

Good Luck

Nick Richards
Glotel Plc
[email protected]
01483 563399

Thanks (0)
aw_logo_2019
By Accounting WEB
28th Feb 2002 17:50

Spoilt for choice?
Although there are specific disclosure requirements for charitable organisations, any of the competent packages should be able to cope with these, given their appropriate configuration.

Which means, I presume, that your critical requirements focus on two things - firstly project accounting (ie a work-in-progress analysis as a balance sheet account sub-ledger) and secondly cost!

I have no association with any of the suppliers mentioned below (or above, should there be further postings) and would say that while SunSystems could probably do the job, it might be a bit expensive and overcomplex if you're only running 19 or so projects.

If you're watching the pennies without wanting to compromise on functionality, then you might want to look at Access Accounting. Pegasus might even do the job if it's costs, rather than resource accounting you need to manage. SquareSum's Dream (or its alter ego PS Financials) might also be worth a look if your projects are being sponsored by different organisations with individual and different reporting requirements.

If you're feeling a bit richer, then the aforementioned SunSystems, Agresso, Deltek, epicor or Maconomy would almost certainly cover most of your requirements - assuming you don't do anything too peculiar.

Sorry if this sounds like an advert for Softworld (they're all to be found there, of course) but it's a good time of year to ask your questions.

Gareth Lewis

[email protected]

Pserendipity - Delivering Professional Services Solutions

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
04th Mar 2002 14:02

Successful in VSO sector
Hi
I work as a finance specialist in the charity sector, advising on accounting systems & setting them up free of charge for small organisations. The best system I have come across at the budget end is Kubernesis Accounts, costing about £400 and coping with all charity requirements such as project budgeting/accounting/reporting, restricted and unrestricted funds, multi income streams etc. It even prints your reports for you. Their customer support is very good. This system is easy to use - good for non-accountants.
You can email Kubernesis at [email protected] or Tel. York 01904 788885

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
26th Feb 2002 20:25

project software for charities
Hi Margaret

Have you thought about coding the projects within the general ledger to enable tracking of restricted/non restricted income and expenditure.

Depending upon volume of transactions you could always use MS Excel.

Does your accounting package have any form of project costing module?

What software are you using and how much do you want to spend on the new project software? Have you asked any charities in a similar field how they cope with this?

Rgds

Bryan

Thanks (0)
aw_logo_2019
By Accounting WEB
26th Feb 2002 23:25

Project Accounting for Charities
Dear Margaret

I am writing to you from a Navision Solution Centre in London. We have several years experience in providing solutions to charities where project accounting has been one of many features required.

Specifically we have a two ways of dealing with this, one can be achieved with the core financial modules (similar to Sun but with an unlimited number of 'T' codes, and much more definable).

The other, using a full project accounting system. It would depend on your requirements and what you want to do with your project data once you've analysed it.

I would be happy to discuss this further with you if you wish. You can contact me at Alcom Systems UK Ltd on 020 8445 7060.

Alan Harte

Thanks (0)
aw_logo_2019
By Accounting WEB
26th Feb 2002 09:15

I think this might work
Margaret

Try www.accountsafe.co.uk This software has been designed specifically for charities and not-for-profits, recognising the need to account seperately for different projects, receiving funding from several donors.

There is a demonstration version available on the website, or contact me on [email protected] or 02476 531192 for more information.

Hope this helps

Stephen Mitchell

Thanks (0)