"As an accountant, I've used the CashManager Standard over everything. I've used it for a decade, and it's marvellous. It's simple and it works.”

“I've never met anyone who's as good, spontaneous and who knows their product this well - they never go home at the end of the day until they've answered your question, and that is rare."

Medical Administration – Kermah

 

Murray Kerr

Date of interview: July 8, 2013

 

There are a wide range of applications for business accounting software in New Zealand, which can be applied across a number of different industries, professions and fields.

 

With over 40 years experience in the accounting industry, former chartered accountant Murray Kerr has utilised over 12 different accounting systems during his career - but there is one that he prefers above all others.


"As an accountant, I've used the CashManager Standard over everything. I've used it for a decade, and it's marvellous. It's simple and it works. After all, it depends on how important it is for your business not to run out of money, because it usually only happens once."


During his accounting career, Murray became involved with a number of medical centres, where he recognised the need for a streamlined, comprehensive accounting system for the industry.


"They just need to keep their finger on the pulse as to where the money is coming from, where it's going out, and the relationship between those two items - so that you know on a monthly basis exactly where you're at, compared to the same period in the previous financial year and also compared with your overall budget.

 

"I've seen the doctors; their eyes light up when you can say to them, 'As of last night, this is where you stand'. It gives them a real buzz when you can say, 'This is the health of your business'."

 

However, Murray's use of CashManager stretches further than the medical industry, entering into philanthropy.

 

He became involved with the Abbeyfield not-for-profit organisation, a community-based volunteer service that provides secure, affordable housing to older people.

 

"When we started that in New Zealand, I thought to myself, 'It's really important that we don’t run short of money, or run out of money'. But then I realised the systems used in the medical centres would go well with this organisation."

 

After speaking with the team at Accomplish, they were able to establish a system which was adopted by half the Abbeyfield houses across the country - allowing for accurate monthly reporting to the committee without spending an inordinate amount of time on it.

 

"Of the 110 or so people working within the Abbeyfield community in New Zealand, around half of them use the CashManager system. The other half use chartered accountants with MYOB and a few other bits and pieces. But the enlightened ones use CashManager."

 

Murray is quick to praise - without exaggeration - Accomplish's "awesome support team".

"I've worked with computer and other related systems support people in the health field for 40 years and I've never met anyone who's as good, spontaneous and who knows their product this well - they never go home at the end of the day until they've answered your question, and that is rare."


"If your business changes a little and you do something creative, you can ring them up and bounce ideas off them, saying 'Hey, can we do this and this and this,' and they always give you accurate, user-friendly advice.

 

"I push them hard and they always come back looking for more, wanting more challenges."


The online integration is one of the key features that Murray was quick to praise, saying it removes the need for things like cheque books and bank reconciliations - as everything is done with your bank accounts, instantly.

 

"It's been just on ten years since I threw out the last cheque book in a medical centre and said, 'Right, as of today, no more cheques - end of story'. It really does reduce the amount of unproductive time, making every hour count."

 

If you'd like to join Murray and the many others like him across the country, get in contact with Accomplish about the CashManager accounting software in New Zealand. Their expert team will be able to help you find the perfect solution for your small business finances and aid your industry success!