CPA_Practice_Advisor_June_2020 - 11

TAX PREP SYSTEMS: REVIEW
Intuit Lacerte

https://proconnect.intuit.com/lacerte

Lacerte Tax from Intuit offers both individual and
business tax preparation capabilSTRENGTHS:
* Integrates with QuickBooks ity and is a good fit for accounting
Accountant
firms of all sizes. Lacerte handles
* Multiple plan levels suitable
a wide variety of return types and
for firms of all sizes
also offers complete integration
* Numerous features and
enhancements made to
with QuickBooks Accountant.
application
Lacerte is an on-premise applicaPOTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
tion that can be downloaded and
* Hosting required for cloud
installed on a local workstation or
access
network computer. For those who
* No mobile app
desire remote access, Lacerte can
also be hosted on a virtual server for easy anytime
access.

WHAT'S NEW?
The 2019 version of Lacerte includes several program
additions and enhancements, including e-filing
improvements such as the ability to now e-file returns
simultaneously. This is a big plus for firms that have
numerous tax preparers on staff, all trying to e-file at
the same time. Lacerte has also created a combination e-file wizard that covers federal state, and local
income tax returns, as well as property tax returns. In
addition, multiple filings can be done from one central
client file, eliminating the need to create multiple
client files. Lacerte has also completed some major
enhancements on its eSignature feature, including the
addition of an at-a-glance dashboard, the ability to col-

2020 OVERALL RATING

4.75

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21140109

lect signatures from any form, optional authentication
for added security, and the ability to use any device
including a computer, tablet, or smartphone to collect
a signature.
Lacerte's user interface is easily navigatable and
offers users convenient access to all clients. Lacerte
supports multiple users, so there's never any lag in
form preparation, and users can easily review all
inputted data using the tab design, which offers quick
access to specific areas of the prepared form.

tax.thomsonreuters.com/cs-professional-suite/gosystem-tax-rs/

GoSystem Tax RS from Thomson
Reuters is part of the CS Professional Suite of applications. A good
fit for larger accounting firms as
well as corporate tax departments,
GoSystem Tax RS is equipped to
handle the complex corporate
returns, life insurance returns,
and tax equalization returns,
easily handling individual returns as well. Available
exclusively online, GoSystem Tax RS was one of the
pioneers of online tax compliance, with firms able to
access the application using an online virtual office or

as a SaaS application. The product also works offline,
with data synching with the core application upon
reconnection.
GoSystem Tax RS has a minimalist approach,
using intuitive user entry screens that are populated
only with necessary features and functions. GoSystem
Tax RS makes good use of tax organizers, allowing
users to access the client organizer or the tax forms.
The QuickTrack feature offers access to organizer
details, with a series of links available for quick access
to a particular area within the organizer.
Users can navigate directly to a specific form
using the QuickForm feature, with links available to

https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/cs-professional-suite/ultratax-cs/

UltraTax CS from Thomson
Reuters is part of the CS Professional Suite of applications.
UltraTax CS is better suited to
larger firms that process more
than 250 tax returns annually. For
smaller firms that process fewer
returns, Thomson Reuters recently
released UltraTax CS Express (not
reviewed here), a scaled down version of the application that offers e-filing capability
for up to five states and up to 250 returns.
While UltraTax CS can be used as a stand-alone
application, more product functionality can be utilized
if used in conjunction with other CS Professional Suite

applications. Currently, UltraTax CS can be installed
on-premise, accessed through Virtual Office CS, or
delivered as a SaaS solution.
While UltraTax CS does not offer a mobile app,
those using other CS Professional Suite applications
such as NetClient CS and Practice CS can access client returns, financial statements and other related
documents via a smart phone or tablet.
WHAT'S NEW
UltraTax CS offers several new enhancements including the Connect Background Services, which offers
automatic downloading and application of updates
directly to the UltraTax CS Bar Code Scan utility and
the Data Entry utility. A new user preference option
has been added to the list of options which will warn

Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21140287

choose from numerous form options. Once a return is
completed, users have the option to preview the return
for errors or omissions. GoSystem Tax RS supports
multiple monitors, making it easy to view various sections of a return simultaneously. If errors are found,
corrections can be made directly in the organizer,
with the option to refresh the return to reflect the
changes. Those using Thomson Reuters GoFileRoom or
FileCabinet CS can automatically save the completed
return directly without leaving the application.

Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS
STRENGTHS:
* Excellent integration with
CS Professional Suite
applications
* Streamlined data entry
options
* Excellent support options
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
* Limited integration
with other third-party
applications
* Not cloud-based
* No mobile app

2020 OVERALL RATING

2020 OVERALL RATING
Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21140123

users when a client has been closed. One update in the
application is actually the removal of a feature - the
Recall Transmitted Returns option will no longer be
available due to the immediacy in which the IRS now
accepts e-filed returns.
UltraTax CS has also added links to the Help and
How-to Center for any e-file rejections to help with
troubleshooting and form correction. Google Maps
integration has been added to the application, and
changes to the asset module allows users to calculate
change of use on multiple assets at one time.

JUNE 2020 ■

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com

ADVANCED WORKFLOW SYSTEMS

Thomson Reuters GoSystem RS Tax
STRENGTHS:
* Can handle both simple and
complex returns
* Intuitive, uncluttered user
interface
* Excellent integration with
other Thomson Reuters
applications
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
* Not a good fit for firms that
primarily prepare individual
returns

Read the full review for
this product online at:

https://proconnect.intuit.com/lacerte http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21140109 http://tax.thomsonreuters.com/cs-professional-suite/gosystem-tax-rs/ http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21140287 https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/cs-professional-suite/ultratax-cs/ http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21140123 http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com

CPA_Practice_Advisor_June_2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CPA_Practice_Advisor_June_2020