The Gap Between Your System and Your Accountant
Many offices have a system that works well daily but fails at month-end. Export, format, reconcile manually — and close takes days.
The cause: many systems are built for operations, not accounting. They know who paid and when, but do not output data an accountant can use directly.
Six Reports Every Accountant Asks For
- Income statement classified by period, property, and portfolio
- Cash flow — what actually came in and out, distinct from accrual-based income
- Accounts receivable aging bucketed by days outstanding
- VAT report matching the filing form
- Owner statements with commission basis
- Commission report separating your revenue from funds held for owners
Why Excel Export Is Not Enough
Raw export gives data, not reports. A report carries accounting classification, a defined period, and balanced opening and closing figures. Raw data needs manual processing, which introduces errors and consumes billable time.
Receivables Aging: The Most Overlooked Report
Knowing you are owed money is not enough — how long matters. Fifteen days late is a completely different situation from a hundred and twenty days late. Aging reveals whether you face temporary delay or real default.
Separation That Must Be Automatic
Systems must automatically separate three kinds of money: funds collected for owners, commissions owed to your office, and recoverable expenses paid on owners' behalf.
A Practical Selection Test
Ask the vendor for a live demo: produce an income statement, an aged receivables report, and a VAT report for one month, right now. If it takes more than two minutes or needs external processing, the system will cost you days every month.