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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    ApprovalMax

    Score9.9 out of 10
    N/AApprovalMax provides approval workflow automation for cloud accounting platforms such as Xero and QuickBooks Online. It replaces paper- and email-based approval processes with multi-step and multi-role automated approval workflows that enable automated notifications to approvers, automated audit trails, and mobile approvals. Approval workflows include: Invoice approvals / bill review and bill approval Purchase order approval, including the functionality to create…

    $54

    per month

    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac

    Score8.5 out of 10
    N/AQuickbooks Desktop for Mac is an accounting software designed for Mac users. It is designed to integrate with Apple iCloud. It provides core accounting features in line with the rest of the Quickbooks Desktop product line.N/A
    Pricing
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Editions & Modules
    ApprovalMax Standard
    $54
    per month per organization
    ApprovalMax Advanced
    $83
    per month per organization
    ApprovalMax Premium
    $121
    per month per organization
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Free Trial
    YesNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsDiscount available for annual pricing and for management of multiple organizations.—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Considered Both Products
    ApprovalMax
    No answer on this topic
    Intuit
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    80%
    Would buy again
    4 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    80%
    Delivers good value for the price
    4 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    80%
    Happy with the feature set
    4 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Payment Management
    Comparison of Payment Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    8.0
    1 Ratings
    5% above category average
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    -
    Ratings
    Customizable Approval Policies9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Financial Document Management9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payment Status Tracking9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payment Audit Trail9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Duplicate Bill Detection4.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Accounts Payable
    Comparison of Accounts Payable features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    8.5
    1 Ratings
    17% above category average
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    -
    Ratings
    Automated Accounts Payable Processes9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Vendor Management8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    8.9
    13 Ratings
    16% above category average
    Pay calculation00 Ratings8.411 Ratings
    Benefit plan administration00 Ratings7.98 Ratings
    Direct deposit files00 Ratings10.010 Ratings
    Salary revision and increment management00 Ratings8.47 Ratings
    Reimbursement management00 Ratings10.09 Ratings
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    7.5
    12 Ratings
    1% below category average
    API for custom integration00 Ratings7.08 Ratings
    Plug-ins00 Ratings8.011 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    10.0
    22 Ratings
    20% above category average
    Single sign-on capability00 Ratings10.022 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions00 Ratings10.019 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    6.7
    24 Ratings
    15% below category average
    Dashboards00 Ratings5.121 Ratings
    Standard reports00 Ratings7.924 Ratings
    Custom reports00 Ratings7.024 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    7.6
    26 Ratings
    0% below category average
    Accounts payable00 Ratings8.126 Ratings
    Accounts receivable00 Ratings7.725 Ratings
    Cash management00 Ratings5.520 Ratings
    Bank reconciliation00 Ratings9.526 Ratings
    Expense management00 Ratings8.622 Ratings
    Time tracking00 Ratings7.514 Ratings
    Fixed asset management00 Ratings7.016 Ratings
    Multi-currency support00 Ratings5.011 Ratings
    Multi-division support00 Ratings6.012 Ratings
    Regulations compliance00 Ratings10.011 Ratings
    Electronic tax filing00 Ratings10.017 Ratings
    Self-service portal00 Ratings7.715 Ratings
    Global Financial Support00 Ratings5.08 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings8.615 Ratings
    Intercompany Accounting00 Ratings8.116 Ratings
    Localizations00 Ratings8.07 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings9.519 Ratings
    Enterprise Accounting00 Ratings8.67 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting00 Ratings6.511 Ratings
    Centralized Rules Framework00 Ratings6.511 Ratings
    Standardized Processes00 Ratings6.915 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    7.4
    17 Ratings
    2% above category average
    Inventory tracking00 Ratings9.516 Ratings
    Automatic reordering00 Ratings6.512 Ratings
    Location management00 Ratings6.911 Ratings
    Manufacturing module00 Ratings6.510 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of ApprovalMax and QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Feature
    ApprovalMax
    -
    Ratings
    QuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    9.1
    20 Ratings
    21% above category average
    Pricing00 Ratings9.019 Ratings
    Order entry00 Ratings9.518 Ratings
    Credit card processing00 Ratings9.119 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold00 Ratings9.118 Ratings
    Order Orchestration00 Ratings9.07 Ratings
    End-to-end order visibility00 Ratings9.19 Ratings
    Order exception Resolution00 Ratings9.18 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Small Businesses
    Tipalti
    Score7.7 out of 10
    QuickBooks Self-Employed (discontinued)
    Score4.1 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Stampli
    Score8.4 out of 10
    MYOB
    Score8.3 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Yooz
    Score8.8 out of 10
    Microsoft Dynamics GP
    Score5.4 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.1
    (34 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.0
    (9 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    6.1
    (8 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (4 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    5.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    ApprovalMaxQuickBooks Desktop for Mac
    Likelihood to Recommend
    ApprovalMax
    As mentioned previously - able to send invoice based on amount , program code and division code ,supplier is very useful feature ; If an invoice does not fit into approval process than it is rejected and an email is received mentioning the reason
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    If you're a freelancer or running a very small business where you do your own bookkeeping I think this is a great option, especially if you're familiar with accounting and bookkeeping in general. If you're not so familiar with bookkeeping, I would say that the learning curve is too steep and you might want to look elsewhere for a more intuitive solution
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    ApprovalMax
    • choice based on Program codes / division codes - we use Xero accounting system and we have 22 program codes and 11 divison codes ; once invoice is entered in Xero depending on relevant program code and divison code, Approval max automatically send invoice to relevant person depending on approval workflow process . One manager could be handling multiple divison and program codes; if our approval work flow process is properly designed - it is accurate in sending invoice to relevant manager.
    • invoice can also send to various managers based on General ledger codes ; this flexibility makes useful when manager is handling only certain nature of expenses regardless of program codes / divisionl.
    • Approval process can also be designed based on level of amount ; and level of amount is derived from our Delegation policy. it makes audit of application of delegation policy easy ; we give copy of delegation policy and print of approval work flow process to auditor.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    • The program is very easy to learn, the interface is incredibly user-friendly and there are tons of free resources and tutorials available
    • It makes managing payroll really easy for the employee and accountant on staff. No more lost time sheets or late paychecks!
    • Managing bills and paying them has become streamlined and it's great having everything in one place so we don't lose track of things.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    ApprovalMax
    • date and time of change in approval process ; for example if Mr. A was responsible for all expenses above $1000 in Oct 23 and from Nov 23 it is changed to $5000 . in Dec 23 if it is checked - it will show approval limit of $5000 ; but will not show from which date limit was changed. Auditor always asks this question when the limit was changed in approval max - we cannot prove it.
    • If there is audit trail of who made the changes , when and what changes were made ; will be good.
    • when we are in main page of seeing invoices awaiting approval - there are hundreds of invoices - searching for one invoice from particular supplier is very cumbersome job - we have to go by each and every invoice in order to find that invoice ; it will be good if we have search function on main page itself ; in current scenario we have to go to report section - input all filters and than search for that particular invoice.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    • The #1 complaint is that setting it up right is a challenge. People waste time trying to figure it out only to realize that they don't know accounting so of course they don't know how an accounting program should be set up. Like any time you are in over your head, reach out to your network and find someone who can log onto your computer and walk you through it.
    • If you need to track the cost of wages to jobs you can't do it with the online payroll, but check for yourself because it's a function that landscaping companies and construction businesses usually need, so maybe they have added it by now. That would really help!
    • It's premise-based software and that means you take on the role of hardware admin, and it's a lot of work for what is increasingly becoming a smaller gap in the functionality between QuickBooks for Mac and QuickBooks Online.
    • QuickBooks for Mac 2015 has been updated consistently over the last 3 years and continues to provide for the bookkeeping needs of small companies using Macs in their offices. However, it has limited job costing functionality. It is similar in functionality to the 2010 version of QuickBooksPro which runs on Windows.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    I haven't spent that much time with the newer versions of QuickBooks for Mac, but I think I'm seeing it make the much-needed improvements. For example, something as simple as undoing the previous reconciliation was a terrible chore, and I'm glad that feature has been included in the newer versions of QuickBooks for Mac
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    The Mac version is OK overall. I find the Windows versions to be much more robust but Mac is quite good for Mac users. Though I think die hard Mac users should consider QuickBooks Online instead as there is a new QB for Mac app that makes using QBO much better!
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    I've been using the QuickBooks online version for a little over 6 months now (upgraded from Mac desktop) and I haven't had any access issues. There have been times when it was down for service/upgrade however there is always plenty of notification time given by the Quick Books Online Support team. These upgrade maintenance time frames are always over night hours and on the weekends so everything can be worked around very easily.
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    ApprovalMax
    No answers on this topic
    Intuit
    Fortunately, I haven't had to reach out much for support.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    ApprovalMax
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    I love using Quickbooks compared to other software we've tried. QuickBooks Online and TSheets interface. Customer service and problem resolution are generally excellent, with well-trained and proficient agents taking calls or on chat. Ease of use and accessibility via the mobile app. Great courses were available to help with learning the basics and some advanced accounting background. I love learning! Online accessibility - it can work anywhere with an internet connection. Linking to bank and credit card accounts is handy.
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    ApprovalMax
    • It has certainly made a positive impact ; it is definately worth its value ; when we are processing hundreds of invoices every fortnight ; getting approval of invoices in timely manner for all invoices is of paramount importance . as approval max has its own app - approval can be done on mobile phone also ; this is particularly helpful when staff is travelling .
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Intuit
    • It has allowed us to offer multiple bookkeeping softwares for clients that do not want to change from what they have been using.
    • Payroll filing has given us ease of mind because we can physically make the filings rather than waiting on payroll software to make them for us.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    ApprovalMax Screenshots

    Screenshot of where approval processes are set up  – no matter how simple or complex.Screenshot of the interface to build approval steps that follow any business rules – whether approvals happen one after another, all at once, or only in certain cases. The user can also control who approves based on things like amount, supplier, account code, or category.Screenshot of where to approve bills and purchase orders the way that works best.Screenshot of the interface that matches bills to approved purchase orders from the same supplier to keep coding accurate and control spending. Unmatched bills can also be stopped from being approved.Screenshot of where to mention others in comments to bring them in or get their input – even if they’re not part of the original approval. If they don’t have access, a prompt to add them as a Watcher is sent. Mentions work on web and mobile, sending notifications as soon as access is granted.Screenshot of where to raise purchase orders, approve requests, and extract key details from bills and purchase orders – all on the go with the ApprovalMax mobile app for iOS and Android.