Accounting software for a fertility clinic

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I am taking on a new client who run a fertility clinic. They wish to look at a new accounting software provider.  Does anybody else have experience of clients in the same field and if so what software do they use?

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By paul.benny
14th Jan 2020 16:21

A bit of cart-before-horse here. Don't start considering specific products until you've defined the requirements.

It's not obvious (to me) what unique or unusual accounting requirements exist here.

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paddle steamer
By DJKL
14th Jan 2020 17:01

Would as an example an integrated package similar to that used say by private doctors be somewhere to start looking- something that links appointments/ consultations/patient records etc ?

First step is sit down with client and find out what they want all the software to do, get their wish list, get them to rank their priorities re same, take it from there.

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paddle steamer
By DJKL
14th Jan 2020 17:02

Deleted duplicate

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By duncanphilpstate
14th Jan 2020 20:54

OK, I can understand the urge to short-cut by finding what similar organisations use. But the best (and safest?) way is to find out what the business process requirements are and then best fit the choice of software to that. Presumably there *are* some specific requirements for their business, otherwise they'd have relatively little reason to bother changing.

The other question of course is why are they thinking of changing? Is it something the software does/doesn't do? Or is it an argument with the provider (including pricing)? That also gives you a steer towards an approach.

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By [email protected]
15th Jan 2020 17:42

I had hoped when posing my question I would get answers such as "Yes I have a client in this sector. They use X software".

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Replying to [email protected]:
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By paul.benny
16th Jan 2020 08:30

Even if you did get a serious answer along those lines, it doesn't mean that it would be a good solution for your client.

To repeat what I (and others) have already said: define the requirements first.

For example, your client probably doesn't need any foreign currency capability nor to manage bills of material. But they might wish to link invoicing to appointments to avoid missed billing or double-counting.

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By Matrix
15th Jan 2020 21:04

I don't think the nature of the business is really applicable here, more how they invoice and get paid. Maybe Xero especially if it integrates with their sales system.

Do they only get paid privately or by companies/NHS?

I have a physiotherapy client who uses Xero and a Psychotherapy client who uses FreeAgent. Both get paid by insurance companies and we don't enter the individual invoices since it is impossible to match since the insurance companies pay in large, random, sums against many clients. So they monitor this in their sales system and then we book an invoice for the daily or monthly sales for the insured clients. Neither are VAT registered so that probably helps too.

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By Matrix
15th Jan 2020 21:05

.

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By Matrix
15th Jan 2020 21:04

I don't think the nature of the business is really applicable here, more how they invoice and get paid. Maybe Xero especially if it integrates with their sales system.

Do they only get paid privately or by companies/NHS?

I have a physiotherapy client who uses Xero and a Psychotherapy client who uses FreeAgent. Both get paid by insurance companies and we don't enter the individual invoices since it is impossible to match since the insurance companies pay in large, random, sums against many clients. So they monitor this in their sales system and then we book an invoice for the daily or monthly sales for the insured clients. Neither are VAT registered so that probably helps too.

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By Matrix
15th Jan 2020 21:04

I don't think the nature of the business is really applicable here, more how they invoice and get paid. Maybe Xero especially if it integrates with their sales system.

Do they only get paid privately or by companies/NHS?

I have a physiotherapy client who uses Xero and a Psychotherapy client who uses FreeAgent. Both get paid by insurance companies and we don't enter the individual invoices since it is impossible to match since the insurance companies pay in large, random, sums against many clients. So they monitor this in their sales system and then we book an invoice for the daily or monthly sales for the insured clients. Neither are VAT registered so that probably helps too.

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By jamespaulson0909
21st Jan 2020 15:12

will-AT-harwoodlimited.co.uk wrote:

I am taking on a new client who run a fertility clinic. They wish to look at a new accounting software provider.  Does anybody else have experience of clients in the same field and if so what software do they use?

Xero accounting software is a popular accounting system for many businesses

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Replying to jamespaulson0909:
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By duncanphilpstate
22nd Jan 2020 16:11

"Xero accounting software is a popular accounting system for many businesses"
Sorry, no. Xero accounting software is popular *accounting software* for many businesses. Don't make the mistake confusing the software with the system / process - which is how you choose to run it for your business and will include aspects outside the actual software and screen processes.

The point I and several others have been trying to make (and perhaps not taking enough time to explain) is that how you run your business probably isn't the same as anyone else and hence the system you need won't be either. You've heard of the marketing concept of USP? If you've got a USP then probably what you need from and overall system is different to what I need with my USP. Otherwise, the business might not be as unique as you think.

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