Van der Merwe
Date of interview: Mar 31, 2016
When it comes to accounting software in New Zealand, the goal is to make life easier and save time and money. Programs that are too difficult for users - failing to meet this key qualification - will get kicked to the kerb.
That is exactly what happened with Mr van der Merwe, who has a number of investment properties, when he decided to save money by preparing his financial statements independently.
Ensuring accuracy while saving money
With a negatively geared business until just a few years ago, Mr. Van der Merwe was worried about any issues that would have arisen with the IRD in the event of filing errors. He needed to make sure that everything was accurate.
To that end, back before he started using CashManager in 2003, Mr. Van der Merwe worked with his accountant on getting expenses, receipts and other data together. As a result of that complicated process, he paid significant fees for the time.
"I asked my accountant, what can I do to help this process so the cost of time is with me, not with the accountant, and she advised that I use CashManager," said Mr. van der Merwe.
"I have subsequently taken over the doing of all my financial statements and reports myself, and then I just give the summaries to my accountant."
Putting other products to the test
After some time, Mr. Van de Merwe's accountant switched to Xero. This transition, however, did not go over well with many clients.
"I tried Xero for about six months, but it was such a disaster that I went back to CashManager," Mr. Van der Merwe said.
“My accountants were not happy initially, but they realised that half of their clients were unhappy with Xero. So I just went, 'I'll give you the reports in CashManager, and what you do with that is up to you. I refuse to use “Xero"
He wasn't the only one. Several other clients also asked to go back to CashManager.
When talking about Xero, Mr. Van der Merwe pulled no punches.
"The software was pretty crap," he said.
CashManager, however, has stood the test. Other than that six-month period, Mr. Van der Merwe has been using CashManager since 2003 and has recommended it to a number of friends.