Mip user for 8 years.
September 12, 2016

Mip user for 8 years.

Jan Crockett | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Abila MIP Fund Accounting

It is being used across 4 affiliate non profit corporations. It is being used for general accounting, fixed assets, budgeting, and encumbrances. We still have the grants module, but I do not believe that it is supported any more.
  • Report flexibility.
  • Permits the customazation of the chart of accounts. You can set this up anyway that you like.
  • MIP gets fund accounting.
  • Once years are closed, it would be helpful to somehow place the batches, for lack of a better reason, off to the side. When looking for a batch, once you have had the system for a while, you have to sort through EVERY batch you have ever created. There are problems when staff do not follow labeling protocol, and sometimes you have to open a batch to see what is in there. If you could say do this and then place a previous unclosed year batch in a place, it would make current tasks simpler.
  • When selling the product, there should be more time spent on the labeling of the batches and items that will be with you forever.
  • The Grants module started out strong and then fizzled. It could be so much more for those of us that are grant funded.
  • MIP has permitted timely and more accurate reporting. Staff in my area was initially reduced, but has now increased because of expanded business lines.
Yea we have been positively influence by using MIP. As stated earlier, I think the grants module could have done more to help with multiple grant fundiers.
Really no comparison when we purchased the product. The product has progressed since we purchased it.
It's great for fund accounting. When we bought it, the payroll (PR) and HR was not that great so we went with another SAGE product. I do believe these modules have improved.

MIP Fund Accounting Feature Ratings

Using Abila MIP Fund Accounting

10 - Accounting office personnel, IT fixed asset management
1 - CFO as I chose the software. We also have an excellent business partner.
  • Accounts Payable, Accounts receivable and all areas of accounting
  • Fixed Assets
  • Financial Reports
  • IT is using fixed assets to maintain computer inventory directly. Got rid of a lot of spreadsheets.
  • Grants management - if the module is supported and improved.
This is a good product for non-profits using fund accounting.

Evaluating Abila MIP Fund Accounting and Competitors

Yes - QuickBooks Pro. Limited functionality for our organization.
  • Product Features
  • Prior Experience with the Product
  • Vendor Reputation
I had used MIP before at another job. The key factor this time was our business partner and the support that they offer. They are EXCELLENT.
Don't think I would change anything.

Abila MIP Fund Accounting Implementation

MUST have a good partner to guide you through the set up steps. A seasoned organization is imperative. They can help navigate issues because they have dealt with them before.
  • Professional services company
Schneider Downs
Yes - Can't really remember, but we started with chart of accounts, accounts, payable, reports, accounts receivable, and then started to use other features as we became more confident and experienced in using the software.
Change management was a major issue with the implementation - Staff has to buy into any change. That is always hard and as we lost staff their replacements have been
more receptive to change.
  • Conversion of the setup in QuickBooks to one better for use in MIP.
  • Training, training traniing.

Using Abila MIP Fund Accounting

For accountant types the software is very logical.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Lots to learn
  • Basic accounting functions. But you must do a lot of policies and procedures when converting. Doing this forces you to think and possibly set things up better.
  • Fixed Assets - My staff has difficulty with this and so I do the work on this module. I still have problems.