Wolters Kluwer ATX vs. Wolters Kluwer CCH ProSystem fx

I have been using ATX for at least 15 years. It is competitively priced for a part-time tax preparation firm like mine versus some of its competitors. The software is straightforward to use with very little training needed, and it includes the "paint by numbers" i.e. "interview" tax prep approach if desired (I virtually never use that as not needed, but it is a nice alternative for the more inexperienced preparer perhaps). I have found it to be pretty intuitive to use, and the file capability is very straightforward. I will continue to use it going forward, as while there are a couple of competitors that are slightly cheaper, certainly not enough difference to warrant changing software and again I'm overall pleased with the product despite the couple of areas that I commented are a bit clunky. Not a big deal. Overall good product.

Incentivized

It does well with preparing tax returns once all the updates are in. It does a good job of providing report creation flexibility. Their multiple applications communicate well with each other. The Engagement module which is designed for audits needs improvement. So does their Scan module which is designed for document management.

Incentivized

• Calculation/preparation of personal tax return for individuals.
• Calculation/preparation of small business tax returns, i.e., Schedule C for individual bus owners.
• Electronic transmission of completed tax return to IRS and applicable states.
• Preparation of summary letter and billing to tax clientele.
• Modeling of pro forma tax results for succeeding years and prep of estimated tax payments needed.

Incentivized

• Robust tax preparation
• Workflow management for teams
• Integration with other apps

Incentivized

• The preparation of the summary letter of the tax return module is a bit clunky but usable.
• The preparation of the next year's quarterly estimates module, while automatic, is a bit clunky to override with more specific info versus what is automatically populated from the current year's return.
• The print feature can be a little cumbersome getting to work on a local printer, resulting in some printing issues.

Incentivized

• There are times in which the program does freeze/stopped processes
• The binder search feature could be enhanced for easier use
• Ability to change a client name and have it reflected in the local file room

Incentivized

Just let it do the standard install. No issues whatsoever.

Incentivized

Turbotax is the most popular but not applicable if you are a tax preparer as it won't let you sign a tax preparer. Their tax prep version, Pro Series, is a bit more expensive, and I have found it not significantly different enough nor provide any applicable benefit to me changing. I also evaluated Drake tax prep software, but again, while it has some nice features, it could not justify the change effort compared to any incremental features I might use. ATX continues to offer the right product features for what I need at one of the cheapest costs.

Incentivized

Intacct is what we use for data input and management. It is on cloud like CCH ProSytem fx is. We can use it anywhere, away on a conference, work from home, work offsite, as long as we have a laptop and internet. There is nothing to install on your computer, you just need the link and your username and password to log in. Microsoft Dynamics GP was used for 3 years and we finally abandoned it after trying out QuickBooks. The interface was not user friendly. We used QuickBooks for 3 years before we transitioned to Intacct, there was always something broken--no major issues, just small problems--and we got fed up.

Incentivized