Blogs? Worth it or not?

A great example of a company blog is Kodak. The blog can be accessed by clicking HERE.


Advantages of company blogs:

Creating a company blog can be a form of advertising. For example, the Kodak blog emphasises on creating photography rather than cameras as part of their new expansion strategy[1].

Blogging can better inform consumers or potential consumers about new information. Furthermore, it allows for a better relationship between a company and its employees. IT also allows the company to receive feedback on new policies or projects it may be launching[2].

Disadvantages of company blogs:

It is easy to create blogs but difficult and time consuming to maintain blogs. An outdated blog is almost useless. A great company blog always has new up to date information or users will get bored and lose interest. This can be expensive for a company to hire a few individuals such as writers and maintainers just to keep the blog up and running[3].







[1] http://www.searchengineguide.com/mack-collier/examples-of-great-company-blogs.php
[2] http://www.searchengineguide.com/mack-collier/examples-of-great-company-blogs.php
[3] http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/2004/nt_2004_08_23_blogging.htm

Pros and Cons of ACCPAC

It is extremely difficult to find specific advantages of disadvantages of the ACCPAC as it depends greatly on the organization using the system. From personal experience of working for Oceanwide INC, there are a few that I have observed.

Disadvantage: At the operational level there are many opportunities for mistakes to occur. Accounting clerks may not encompass knowledge of accounting policies and guidelines. At that level, the user is uninformed and could make errors in terms of classification of expenses or revenues.

Advantage: Prior to being posted all entries are subject to approval of the controller. In turn he or she is held liable for any mistakes. This creates more accuracy.

Technical and Training Requirements

The company provides various forms of training to get users ready. They provide onsite training, where an agent is sent to the company to train all users. The company provides training manuals that can be used. The company also has Sage summit where they provide information, knowledge and skills[1].

Accpac is a user friendly software. It does require any previous knowledge to be able to use the system. At the lowest operational level, accounting clerks are just inputting data. The software then translates that data and turns it into financial information. However other employees required to have some knowledge of the accounting field. For example, an accounts payable employee would be required to perform aging analysis and be able to verify all journal entries. The controller and CA definitely need to have a minimum bachelors in accounting to be able to reap the full benefits from the software. As mentioned, it is user -friendly. Employees would be required to be able to use the Micorsoft Windows system. A future concern is with the increase use of MACs , how will these softwares adopt to the change. In the near future, we can see a change in the technical requirements of using ACCPAC.

The technical requirements include specific operating systems, databases, and processors[2]. Click HERE for a detailed list of technical requirements to use ACCPAC.

[1] http://www.sageaccpac.com/Training
[2] http://www.mmanyc.com/erp54/req.pdf

Who uses it?

ACCPAC is used at the executive level and operational level. An executive would be the CA and at the operational level you will find controllers, employees, and accounting clerks. For more information regarding the executive and operational level click HERE.

Executive level:

ACCPAC provides solutions to Chartered accountants. It allows them to run various analysis to create a picture of the financial standing of a company. It aids in creating the financial statements of the company. CA’s take all final information at year end and use it to produce financial statements.

Operational level:

ACCPAC performs many tasks at the operational level. At this level employees in the accounting department and the controller use the functions of this software. The controller uses ACCPAC to manage payroll, employee benefits, time and task management[1]. Employees are able to keep track of accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchases, and inventory[2]. Accounting clerks often are hired just to input data into the software. For example an accounting clerk will input data such as invoices and the software will automatically create journal entries. Afterwards, the controller posts these entries and the CA can have updated correct information for creating financial statements.

[1] http://www.sageaccpac.com/products/accounting/modules#Financial
[2] http://www.training-classes.com/programs/02/00/20061_accpac_-_accounts_receivable_3_days_.php

What is ACCPAC?

Sage ACCPAC provides solutions for financial management, operations management, and customer management. Sage ACCPAC is originally UK based and is a leading supplier of business management softwares.

The software tends to be used in small to mid-sized firms. The software itself is designed for all company sizes however the majority of their clients are small to mid-sized firms. Sage ACCPAC provides services to approximately 2.9 million small and mid-sized firms in North America alone[1]. There are thousands of accounting software in the market[2]. Sage is a relatively new company. Companies have been using their software and services for about 30 years.

This software can only be purchased through the companies Payment services division. Furthermore, they provide training, and support for their software if needed. To purchase the ACCPAC software for your company, click HERE

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[1] http://www.sageaccpac.com/Company/Fact_Sheet
[2] http://www.findaccountingsoftware.com/guides/product/accpac/