Item: Avalara
Rating: 8
Author: Leslie Rogers

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We currently use Avalara Cert Capture as well as the Avalara for taxes. We keep all our certs stored in Cert Capture. Avalara files all of our returns, we are also currently using Monitoring, so we can see when we have potential liability. In some instances we are taking advantage of Registering with Avalara as well. Our Finance department is the only department using Avalara, but it affects the company as a whole because if we are not taxing our customers correctly it can affect everyone. It saves us time and money because we do not have to file returns and we can see where our exposure is.

Pros and Cons

Helps with returns
Files our returns
Helpful Customer Account Managers

Customer Support has been lacking.
Response time to cases lately has been too long.
Retaining and communicating when account managers are reassigned.

Return on Investment

We are able to spend less time on returns and filing.
We are able to keep ahead of tax changes.
We are able to keep ahead of rate changes and do not have to enter the work manually.

Implementation Rating

Unfortunately, I was not here during implementation of Avalara.

Systems Integrated With

Visual
SAP By Design
SAP Business One

Usability

We are on the classic version of Avalara and there is ease of use. I can find out transactions easily and can run our reconciling reports. I am able to see our historical data. There are some drawbacks because sometimes the system needs time to think and process. The reporting has gotten faster though, it used to take a day for reports to update where now the reports update within 5 minutes when a new transaction goes into the system. Cert Capture and Avalara are speaking to each other instantaneously, which used to take a while as well.

Additional Capabilities

We use Cert Capture and now all of our certificates are stored directly on Avalara's Cloud database. We are able to easily access those certs and bring them up when we need to. We have tried running campaigns, but they have not been as successful as we would like. We also use returns and it is wonderful. I no longer have to worry during our month end process if returns are getting filed on time because Avalara does all that on our behalf.

Alternatives Considered

In a past life, we had to file returns by hand. I processed about 10 returns and it is nerve wracking to have to remember when to file and where to go. Not to mention knowing where to register. When rates change for a city or county or the whole state it is a pain to have to manually enter that into your ERP. Avalara does all that and I don't worry that we are using the correct rates or not.

Likelihood to Recommend

Avalara would be a good fit for a company just starting out. Avalara can help you get registered in different states and can help monitor where there might be tax liability when the new company grows. Avalara would also be a great fit for a larger company who wants to free up personnel because there are other projects that need to take priority. Also, in the growing world of taxes and the new Pandora's box, Avalara can help them with their tax liability and exposure. Avalara is always up to date on tax laws and rates, so it's easy to stay ahead of the game.

Avalara is the best tax compliance of all.

Modules Used

Overall Satisfaction with Avalara