Statutory accounts software

Recommendations sought for TB -> FRS102 stats

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In my new job, I have to produce stat accounts for some 40 companies in the group and that number is likely to grow.   I’m looking for recommendations for software that can produce full FRS102 stats from TB.   The main companies do not qualify for Small/Medium exemptions

Main requirements are

  • Flexiblility to allow for own wordings for narrative sections such as accounting policies, directors’ report;
  • Flexibility to allow for ‘house style’ of formatting
  • iXRBL tagging

(that list seems very short, so maybe I’ve missed a lot)

 

Not needed:

  • tax functionality – compliance is outsourced
  • consolidation – done off-line

We’re currently running Sage 200 but that may change, so I’m looking for a solution that is agnostic to accounting package.

 

Replies (5)

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John Toon
By John Toon
14th Oct 2021 17:42

You'll be looking at the usual culprits for this so: Iris, Sage, Digita, CCH, Caseware etc. All will do what you need and source data (Sage 200) is irrelevant as you'll most likely extract TB's into excel, import and map into AP software.

All of the above would do consolidation and tax if needed, although I appreciate it's not on your requirements list. However, you should consider Konsolidator - it's an excellent piece of kit for consolidated reporting

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Replying to johnt27:
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By paul.benny
15th Oct 2021 08:39

Thank you, john. Any of those you would positively recommend - or for that matter recommend against? I used CCH some years ago and found it clunky and non-intuitive to worth with. Of course it may have improved since then.

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Replying to paul.benny:
John Toon
By John Toon
15th Oct 2021 11:16

Like you I haven't used CCH in a while but it was pretty dreadful back in the day. I'm told by other accountants who use it that it has improved considerably. I don't think you can use it standalone so have to invest in CCH Central as well.

Digita APA is ok. I must admit not hugely bowled over and it seems to run really slowly for us, but could be an infrastructure issue. You can't file online from APA so if this is required you'd need to get Digita CoSec as well - a massive oversight in my mind or cunning sales tactic, depending on your point of view.

Sage APA is equally ok. It can be difficult to pick up, but I find it's the most idiot proof of all the systems I've seen. But, Sage haven't invested huge sums into the product in recent years and the integrations/features are not as well advanced as others.

Iris - never used it but everyone raves about the product and moans about the price hikes.

Caseware - never used but everyone I know who has is very pleased with it. Complaints tend to be around it looking a little dated.

Some of the above products are moving into the cloud and all the vendors are at differing stages. Silverfin could be an alternative option if you wanted to go fully cloud - have demo'd a few times but doesn't suit our entire client base at the present moment.

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Replying to johnt27:
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By paul.benny
15th Oct 2021 12:23

Thanks.

The outgoing firm dealing with a recent acquisition is using Iris. They're telling me that the reason they can't make some changes we've asked for is the software won't allow it. And a recent update has apparently broken it anyway. Not impressive.

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By petersaxton
14th Oct 2021 19:28

I use Digita Accounts Production Advanced and it is very flexible with narratives. If you have any problems they are just a phone call away.

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