Drake vs. ProSeries Pro

[Lion]

Price Increase

Drake's scheduled price increase has been postponed until the end of this week, for anyone close to ordering. I liked some of Drake's features, but am taking a second look at the high end products and not ordering anything for awhile -- probably until after I finish extensions and amendments. Wish I could kill two birds with one stone by preparing some of those on the sample software, but most are sitting around this late due to tax research and already had most of the data entry done. Wonder how much I can tell by the tenacity of the salesmen? ProSeries guy isn't acting like my best buddy anymore now that I have that software reserved (don't have to pay until December). But, the Drake guy with his southern accent and the UltraTax guy still call me more often than any suitor I ever had! By the way, I finally completed an S-Corp. on ATX tonight; it really doesn't have good diagnostics. I knew it was out of balance, but ATX kept saying there were no errors. Then out of the blue, it gave me a warning for something on Schedule D, which wasn't my problem. And, printing -- don't get me started! I'm not renewing ATX.

[BOB W]

ProSeries is a good "inbetween" of "low end" and "high end" priced tax programs. ProSeries does have a GL program that intergrates with their tax programs, a plus for accounting work.

Like I've said in the past, ProSerious would of been my choice 5 years ago but UT was the buy out company from Microvision so I stayed with the buy-out company> very nice programs (both of them).

It is imposible to comment on Drake or any other program with complete working knowledge because I don't have that knowledge. ATX I used back in the 80's for a 706/709 and did not like it then. It was the only 706 that I could find at the time.

Over a 3 year period I had to switch 3 times due to buy-outs and I was not going to stay with the small companies any more and price was not going to be a factor going forward. That is my primary reason why I make comments on this board "to buy the best operationally" and don't look at price. Low end programs end up being bought out almost every time. Low end programs are "nats" to the big boys and it is easier to just buy them out. By the way, most low end companies are around just waiting for the big boys to make an offer> watchout.

If you have a "Low End" company and find that they are slow with add-on forms, poor support, not supporting all states> look out....................

[Gretel]

When I bought the tax practice 6 years ago they used ATX. I am still thankful I switched to ProSeries right away. Just the conversion process spit out several mistakes made by the previous preparer using ATX.

[sea-tax]

Bob W i just wanted to say I agree with you whole heartedly . While I use lacerte rather than ultra tax , I still think that you have made some valid points.

Bottom line is buy the best program that your money can afford.

[BOB W]

Bob W i just wanted to say I agree with you whole heartedly . While I use lacerte rather than ultra tax , I still think that you have made some valid points.

Bottom line is buy the best program that your money can afford.

Thanks for your vote.............................. I've been around the game too long and have been slapped too much. The big boys have beated me up too many times and I find that I can't fight them anymore. In the end, I found that it was a wakeup call to something very good for me and my business>>>> buy the best.