Port Elizabeth-based accounting firm Munro Accountancy is running the accounts for most of its clients on the Sage One Accounting online software because of the cost-effective, convenient and powerful, yet simplistic features that the solution offers. The firm is also recommending Sage One to its clients in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector as a way to get formal accounting systems, controls and processes in place with minimum efforts and costs.

Munro Accountancy, which has been in business for more than a decade, started out as chartered accountant practice in 2003 and rapidly grew into a consulting firm offering a range of taxation and financial services. Clients range from small businesses like stores and restaurants to large logistics companies.

The company has traditionally used desktop accounting software to manage its clients’ accounting needs, but decided around 18 months ago to evaluate the Sage One cloud solution. One reason for this was that many of the new clients it takes on board have no accounting software - but an online solution would make it quick, cost-effective and easy for them to put a system in place.

“We looked at Sage One and found that it offered most of the functionality that our clients would need, and at an affordable price. It can practically do everything a desktop product does, and with added benefits,” says Willem Jordaan, partner at Munro Accountancy. “In addition to all the basic accounting features, we were impressed by value-adds such as the automated bank feeds and dashboard information tabs. The fact that our clients can automatically import online banking transactions into the accounting software was a big seller for us.”

For Munro Accountancy, one benefit is that it is easy to collaborate with clients across the cloud - everyone who needs to see a set of accounts can log into the system wherever they are and view the same live data as their colleagues. Transactions and changes are live, so everyone works off consistent and up-to-date data.

Another benefit, says Jordaan, is that all the data is securely stored on the cloud, freeing clients from the need to do data backups. The platform is also reliable with very few incidents of unplanned downtime. It’s also easy to access the system from a mobile device via the app or using a standard web browser. “It’s all very efficient and convenient,” says Jordaan. “And features such as financial reports are very powerful.”

Adds Francis Pratt, Manager at Munro Accountancy: “Many clients are reluctant to move from desktop software because they are happy where they are however when they see the benefits the software offers in terms of reporting, collaboration, and ease of use, they’re convinced. Sage One hits the nail on the head for small enterprises that need a reliable, easy to access, cost-effective system.”

“Because Sage One is online, SME owners can simply login from wherever they are and start working. They can access data from the cloud, which means that it is available online, anywhere, anytime and from any device. All they need is an internet connection,” says Steven Cohen, MD of Sage One AAMEA. “Accountants love it as much as their SME clients because it is now so simple and seamless to manage and access their clients’ financial data in a single place.”