In total, the respondents use 84 different packages, with 67 percent of users choosing one of the top five -- TimeSlips (22 percent), CPA Software (13 percent), Creative Solutions (12 percent), CCH (11 percent) and Unilink (9 percent).
However, while TimeSlips has the highest percentage of firm users, it is chosen by only eight percent of total CPA staff, indicating that it is disproportionately popular with small firms and sole practitioners. Large firms prefer CPA Software, which is used by 13 percent of respondent firms but 25 percent of total staff members surveyed.
"The survey gave us insight into the program needs of CPA firms and alerted us to functions that are of greatest importance," noted Gary Adamson, chair of the MAP task force that commissioned the survey. "We hope this information will raise awareness among software designers and producers regarding the specific needs of CPA firms."
Given the growing use of the Internet among CPA firms (98 percent of respondent firms in this year's MAP Survey have email), the software survey inquired about interest in an Internet-based time and billing system. Surprisingly, 61 percent of respondents said they would not use such a system. The majority of these individuals noted that there is no need for or benefit in remote applications.
Respondents ranked their overall satisfaction with their software packages on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best). The top 5 scores were:
CPA Software 3.87
Unilink 3.74
CCH 3.50
Creative Solutions 3.45
Timeslips 3.35
In addition, respondents ranked the importance of different functions of time and billing software. The top five most important functions were system stability, standard reports, direct time entry, on-screen billing and custom reports. Custom reports is the area in need of most improvement.
The survey was sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its affiliates, PCPS and CPA2Biz. The compiled information is being used to help improve the way firms handle their practice management. To learn more about the survey, visit www.pcps.org.
Copyright © 2003 SmartPros Ltd. All rights reserved.
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