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Why we chose APS: Chapmans Chartered Accountants, New Zealand

This month’s client selection case study comes from Chapmans Chartered Accountants Ltd based in New Zealand.  We interviewed Karl Dickins, Director, who took us through the firm’s experiences with the APS software and the team that delivers it.

Name of Firm:                                 Chapmans Chartered Accountants Ltd, New Zealand Name:                                               Karl Dickins Title:                                                 Director Tel:                                                   +64 9 831 0205 Email Address:                              Karl@chapmans.co.nz

General

When did your firm implement APS Advance Practice Management system?
Our firm first took on APS in December 2005.

Which APS products are you licensed to use?
We are currently using Practice Management, Practice IQ, XPA and Tax.

How many users do you have?
We currently have 20 full time staff.

Who was your previous supplier and how long were you using that supplier’s software for?
Our previous supplier was Solution 6, who we were with for 20 plus years.

From start to finish, how long did the meeting, testing and decision-making process take that saw you move over to APS?
It took us around twelve months to make the final decision to move. Our final decision was cemented after attending one of the APS Roadshows.

How did your firm arrive at the decision to become an APS client?
It was a combination of Solution 6 not providing the ongoing support for users and attention to software development that we felt was important for our practices future success and growth. We also had some key issues with our billing system which was not catered for by Solution 6.

APS prides itself on its ability to listen to its customers regarding their business needs and business aims and its commitment to then work closely with customers to meet and achieve them. Tell us about the APS approach from your perspective.
We believe the following contact points have enabled Chapmans and APS to have a successful business relationship: -

1. Very friendly, responsive and informative support line
2. Interactive website providing helpful information
3. Regular Roadshows
4. Informative and social annual conferences which provide great networking opportunities, details of APS’s strategic path, technical information etc.
5. One-on-one meetings on strategic planning and KPI focus
6. APS user groups

The Relationships 

Has APS been more than a software supplier to your firm? What has been the relationship formed between your firm and APS?
We have formed a very close business relationship with APS over the short time we have been a client. APS software is an integral part of our business and the business services which we provide to our clients. It is important we keep challenging the way we are using the software to maximise profit and provide clients with the “X” factor to keep ahead of our competitors.

Would you recommend APS to another supplier in the market?
Yes we would.

Installation / Implementation  - Product

Functionality

Looking at APS from a product perspective, what were the most important factors from a functionality point-of-view that were seen as critical to your business?
There were 4 key factors from our perspective, as follows:

• The ability within Advance PM to handle fixed fee billing and its automation.
• The functionality of Xcede Professional Accounting’s reporting/notes and the adaptability of the software.
• The KPI reporting capabilities within the software and from Practice IQ.
• The ability of all the APS software to integrate with Microsoft.

How does Advance suite compare to your previous product in terms of functionality?
There is no comparison – we wouldn’t go back, APS is far superior.

Will you be taking on any further APS products in the future?
Yes. We are keen to investigate “Workflow Resource Management”

Also, we would like to see a cash flow budgeting tool as part of the APS product suite – we do a lot of cash flow reporting for clients and banks and these would normally be linked direct to our monthly reporting. In Sol6 we used CFB and now we are using Strategic Focus. (APS Note – available within XPA)

Installation / Implementation  - Product

Return on Investment

Obviously there is an investment when implementing any software. APS pride themselves on bringing clients on-going return on investment. In your experience has this been the case? Having been through the conversion, do you feel you made the right decision to join APS?
Yes

TestimonialDo you have any final words that sum up how you feel about APS, its team and its software?
“The APS team is always friendly, assessable and professional and we enjoy a very close business relationship which is important to the success of our practice.

APS software enables us to manage our core business areas more successful and provide a higher level of service to our clients.”