Wolters Kluwer ATX vs. Wolters Kluwer CCH ProSystem fx

I have been using ATX for at least 15 years. It is competitively priced for a part-time tax preparation firm like mine versus some of its competitors. The software is straightforward to use with very little training needed, and it includes the "paint by numbers" i.e. "interview" tax prep approach if desired (I virtually never use that as not needed, but it is a nice alternative for the more inexperienced preparer perhaps). I have found it to be pretty intuitive to use, and the file capability is very straightforward. I will continue to use it going forward, as while there are a couple of competitors that are slightly cheaper, certainly not enough difference to warrant changing software and again I'm overall pleased with the product despite the couple of areas that I commented are a bit clunky. Not a big deal. Overall good product.

Incentivized

It does well with preparing tax returns once all the updates are in. It does a good job of providing report creation flexibility. Their multiple applications communicate well with each other. The Engagement module which is designed for audits needs improvement. So does their Scan module which is designed for document management.

Incentivized

• Calculation/preparation of personal tax return for individuals.
• Calculation/preparation of small business tax returns, i.e., Schedule C for individual bus owners.
• Electronic transmission of completed tax return to IRS and applicable states.
• Preparation of summary letter and billing to tax clientele.
• Modeling of pro forma tax results for succeeding years and prep of estimated tax payments needed.

Incentivized

• Easy to use platform
• Document retention accessibility
• Digital library to prevent duplication of work

Incentivized

• The preparation of the summary letter of the tax return module is a bit clunky but usable.
• The preparation of the next year's quarterly estimates module, while automatic, is a bit clunky to override with more specific info versus what is automatically populated from the current year's return.
• The print feature can be a little cumbersome getting to work on a local printer, resulting in some printing issues.

Incentivized

• Sometimes opening the Document program can be slow--I have to be patient.
• Lots of options and commands, takes some time to get used to and master the programs.

Incentivized

Just let it do the standard install. No issues whatsoever.

Incentivized

Turbotax is the most popular but not applicable if you are a tax preparer as it won't let you sign a tax preparer. Their tax prep version, Pro Series, is a bit more expensive, and I have found it not significantly different enough nor provide any applicable benefit to me changing. I also evaluated Drake tax prep software, but again, while it has some nice features, it could not justify the change effort compared to any incremental features I might use. ATX continues to offer the right product features for what I need at one of the cheapest costs.

Incentivized

We use Thomson Reuters suite for payroll purposes but they do offer the same services as Wolters Kluwer does. I have heard from companies that do use Thomson Reuters tax and they are happy with it. As mentioned, I was not present at this firm when CCH was purchased so I am not sure if any comparisons were done between the two

Incentivized