Moores Rowland picks Windows tax software
Accountants tend to be conservative when choosing software, especially in the area of tax, where many firms have been using their systems for years. But Moores Rowland last week junked its old character-based software and opted for a new Windows-based personal tax software system. Its new supplier is Taxsoft, replacing a tried and tested Solution 6 system.
Other firms may also change suppliers in the run-up to self-assessment.
Tax remains the last great bastion of character-based software, but this will change under the Revenue’s new tax regime.
Taxsoft MD Robin Cooke-Hurle said his staff would work with those from Moores Rowland to ensure migration and plan training needs.
John Whiting, head of personal tax at Price Waterhouse, said Windows products could not come soon enough. ‘We use Data Sciences’ Taxpoint for personal tax. It is a DOS package and we have been champing at the bit for a long time, as our other applications run on Windows. We need the same look and feel across all our systems as it’s easier for those of us with few computer skills.’
Moores Rowland’s senior tax partner, Brian Gilligan, said: ‘The more rigorous self-assessment regime prompted us to examine our tax systems in detail. For six months we monitored Taxsoft’s development programme and evaluated its products. We concluded it offered the best combination of management systems, tax functionality and technical future proofing.
We also believe that using common personal and corporation tax systems will result in considerable economies.’
Ray Sieber, general manager of Data Sciences’ tax software business, expects many medium-sized and large firms to now start re-evaluating their existing systems. ‘There’s a major shake-up going on right now. The challenge is for suppliers to get their new generation products out well in advance of the new tax year. We can see a major opportunity ahead as firms make the move into Windows.’