V M Murphy & Co

"Although, we try to make everyone feel at home and welcome, you can see from their faces that the accountant's office is the last place on earth they want to be," Vince Murphy explained. Vince runs a busy practice in the Cotswold town of Chipping Norton and is used to clients turning up at almost the last possible moment with sets of incomplete books that need patient care and attention to turn into accurate accounts.

 

All this has changed in the last year for V M Murphy & Co with the introduction of two new accounting systems developed by IRIS.

 

IRIS iCash is an on-line accounting system that suits those businesses that use a cash book and IRIS Bookkeeping. Both solutions allow businesses to keep up-to-date records with the least possible effort.

 

The ease and convenience of both methods are changing the way small businesses think about figures, which are quite often considered a bore and time wasting. Vince is receiving some interesting feedback from the clients using the new systems. He went on, "We are seeing a distinct change in the way our clients view accounting. Those using IRIS iCash and IRIS Bookkeeping are taking far more interest in their position on a monthly basis and are becoming more aware of their performance."

 

The IRIS iCash system uses the Internet so the client does not even need to buy any software, they just connect to Vince's website and enter all their transactions as they happen.

 

The instant view of the company provided by the system helps to prevent problems from occurring as the accountant is in touch on a daily basis and can offer proactive advice if needed. The traditional method of accounting, in contrast, allows only reactive advice as the accountant is first aware of the figures at the end of the financial year.

 

V M Murphy supplies the service free to its customers and is finding that it is readily accepted by those he suggests try it. Because he and his staff tailor the system to the client and specify the appropriate VAT ratings and classifications, the risk of error is minimised. If a correction needs to be made to a posting, it is marked in red and the client can see at a glance what they have done wrong.

 

IRIS Bookkeeping is one of the first new bookkeeping systems to be launched specifically for the small to medium-sized business for some years and is already being used by a number of Vince's clients, including Oxford Rugby Club. Vince explained the reasons why: "A rugby club needs to keep tabs on money coming in in the form of subscriptions and money going out to suppliers. IRIS Bookkeeping is such an affordable option for the small business that no client could turn it down."

 

The practice again tailors the system to the client's requirements, taking into account the type of business, and trains them on how to use it. As it is so simple, they find that their clients quickly become proficient.

 

Vince finds that clients like the fact that the system is set up for them. "Clients recognise that these systems are good for them; they want only solutions not problems."

 

"These new accounting systems save our clients time and us too. We see IRIS helping us to increase profitability and reduce the time spent on the compliance element of the job. Clients like the fact that we are available to give advice if they need it."

 

The added benefit to the accountant is that by persuading their clients to use these systems, any end-of-year problems are minimised. The seamless transfer of information between the IRIS iCash, IRIS Bookkeeping and the specialist software run at the office to handle the compliance side allows real productivity savings.

 

In fact, the team found that they even had time on their hands in the run up to January 31st. Vince said he would normally find himself working late every night in the run up to the end of January. However, this year, things ran more smoothly and he puts the change down to IRIS.

 

Vince explained, "We have been gradually building up the number of clients using IRIS Bookkeeping and IRIS iCash and whenever a client is in need of change, we recommend they try the one most suited to them. This year, in the run up to January 31st, we noticed that the work load seemed easier and we experienced fewer year-end problems. We can put it down only to the fact that these packages make it easier for our clients to keep accurate records. They are very user-friendly; the IRIS support is excellent; and IRIS Bookkeeping is inexpensive. We prefer it to all the others."

 

IRIS software has been used by the firm for the last three years. With the addition of a IRIS Trust Tax package and IRIS P11D program, Vince feels that they are now really enjoying the benefits of an integrated system. "IRIS is getting better all the time", he said. "We are very pleased with the software. It is a real step forward."