The CPA Technology Advisor awards ATX 4 1/2 stars out of 5
From the April/May 2008 Review of Tax Compliance Suites
"ATX MAX...has long been popular with small, tax-focused firms, providing a very user-friendly interface and bundled packages that include virtually all aspects of tax preparation. This includes individual, corporate, partnership, fiduciary, non-profit, estate and gift tax compliance, in addition to reporting for employee benefit plans. MAX also includes a W-2/1099 program. The system is best suited for small to mid-sized tax and accounting practices and seasonal outlets, and includes unlimited e-filing to federal and all taxing states, built-in bank functionality for refund loans, diagnostic tools, integration with Kleinrock for tax research, access to CCH reference materials, and new tools for customizable client letter templates and a K-1 viewer function."
"MAX uses an exceptionally well-designed interface that is both aesthetically pleasing...and very productivity oriented, providing immediate access to functions most frequently needed."
"Overall, MAX is very easy to use even for less experienced preparers, allowing them to get up and running quickly."
"The optional new ATX Scan&Fill function can help practices reduce data-entry time by automatically finding financial information when a W-2, 1099 or other form is scanned in. The data is then reviewed and used to populate a client return."
"ATX MAX is one of the best bargains available in the professional tax preparation market. Designed for small to mid-sized tax and accounting practices, the system has the capability to handle any return...The incredibly easy-to-use program also requires little training time for new or seasonal staff. Of note, the optional new Scan&Fill system can reduce data-entry time, while the availability of accounting programs can help small practices expand their service offerings."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ATX Scan&Fill with Document Manager receives 5 stars for usability, document organization and integration
Excerpts from the August 2008 CPA Technology Advisor review of document storage programs
"The key point to understand about these two applications [Scan&Fill and Document Manager] is that they work together to significantly enhance your tax preparation process by automating the scanning process. When you scan 1099s and W-2s, the software will recognize these documents in 66 different formats. As well, the OCR process converts the form content to XML data that can be transferred to the tax software automatically. The program also automatically creates a folder and files any document that is recognized by the OCR process. The user interface is very intuitive and easy to follow."
"...documents are organized into a pre-established sub-folder structure that you can customize for your practice. The inactive clients category provides an efficient method for moving ?inactive? clients to a separate area so your active clients directory is limited to "active" clients."
"As stated, the strength of this product is the level of integration with the vendor's tax products. You can push the "Lookup Tax Data" button to automatically populate the DMS with the client information. Within the tax software, you can import the XML data from the W-2s and 1099s that was established and reviewed during the scanning process. An option to print to the document manager from within the tax software will create a PDF copy of the tax return and file it in the client's folder. If the client folder has not been set up, it will create the client and sub-folders at that time. Direct integration is provided for e-mailing client documents, including an encryption option for securing interoffice e-mails."
"If you use either of the ATX or TaxWise tax preparation products, then Scan&Fill with Document Manager is a must-have. The efficiency gains that you can achieve in your tax preparation process are well worth the cost. Even if you use other tax compliance software, the program will automatically file any of the documents that are recognized, saving time and effort in organizing digital files."
Usability -- 5 Stars
Document Organization -- 5 Stars
Integration -- 5 Stars
Annotation -- 3 Stars
Overall Value -- 4.5 Stars
-----------------------------------
2008 Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Progressive Accountant reviews ATX Client Write-Up
Excerpts from "Write-up Software: A Lot More Than a Necessary Evil", August 2009
"ATX Client Write-Up, as a comprehensive, easy-to-use and affordable application, is designed to improve your firm's productivity, help grow your practice and increase your bottom line."
"...its three competitive strengths are as follows:
1. Speed of data entry. Speed your work with heads-down data entry, one entry point for payroll and check information and entry daily sales and cash deposit entry through a simple Day Sheet Journal.
2. Flexibility and customization of financial statements. Quickly create professional and powerful financial statements using templates or customized layouts. You control statement appearance, including orientation, number of columns, placement of underlines and dollar signs, and custom headers and footers. The program offers professional client letters and GAAP-required statements.
3. Unique Spanish feature. Better serve your Spanish-speaking customers by providing industry charts of accounts with account descriptions and Global Financial Statements in Spanish."
"ATX is a very nice program that is designed for efficient data entry. The look and feel is a standard Windows program. There is a very good after-the-fact payroll portion of the program. And you can not only reconcile bank accounts but also credit cards accounts or any other type of account you need to reconcile. Financial statements are very easy to use and fully customizable. A nice statement can be set up that is fully unique to your firm. In addition, ATX can translate English financial statements turn into Spanish ones with the click of a button."
"You also have a full accounts payable and receivable module. For the price you pay you receive a complete write-up package that offers an answer for all the clients that you may have. Whether you have a client on QuickBooks or Peachtree or want to put your client on a product similar to yours, CCH Small Firm Services has an answer that is easy to use and affordable. The working trial balance in the program is very nice and easy to use. The system is designed for speed of data entry, flexibility and fully customizable financial statements."
"...if you need to have Spanish financial statements and/or you are looking for a 'bang for your buck' you need to give this product a good test run."