Softline outlines the future of accounting, payroll technology to CFA

Sofline, developer of accounting, payroll and tax software, today highlighted the impact of technology on the accounting industry at the 11th annual conference of the Institute of Commercial and Financial Accountants of Southern Africa (CFA).

The CFA invited Softline, as an established international provider of accounting and payroll software for small and medium businesses, to educate the delegates on how advances in accounting and payroll software technology provide businesses a competitive-edge.

"The accounting system, as the core application to business processes, is a critical repository for all business and customer information, providing all the information required to make business decisions," comments Steven Cohen, chief operating officer of Softline.

"By bringing together accounting, payroll, CRM, human resources and fixed assets, your accounting software has evolved to become a business application that can generate new and increased revenue streams from existing customers, as well as attract a broader range of customers."

Based on its experience in the South African, Australian and North American markets, extensive investment in research and development and an of understanding business needs, the Softline product range ensures that customers get leading technology that is practical in addressing business requirements. Applications such as Web-based technologies, SMS, CRM and specialised applications for specific vertical markets enable organisations to utilise their existing technology and information to expand their functionality.

"Accounting software has progressed to the next level, where the individual components now integrate to form a holistic solution that can bring all of a company's departments together and change the organisational communication processes," comments Cohen. "Correct application of the customer and staff information contained in the accounting and payroll records provide businesses with customer relationship management (CRM) and staff resource planning functionality that has previously been reserved for big business with equally big budgets."

Berrie Stoop, president of the CFA, emphasises the importance of partners such as Softline: "The theme of our 2002 conference is 'Practitioners of Excellence' and we are especially pleased to have Softline as a primary sponsor, educating us on what technology is available and how affordable it is. Softline has worked with the accounting community for many years and we value the great insight they give us on how technology issues shape the accounting industry of the future."

Established in 1982, the CFA was formed with the aim to support accounting staff in commerce and industry. With a membership in excess of 5 100, the CFA supports the industry through innovative training, professional evaluation for all new members, and a regular and comprehensively presented seminar programme.

"Our close relationship with the accounting community ensures we are always in touch with the business needs that drive the industry so that we ensure our products suite practical business needs," comments Cohen. "Business should always drive technology, rather than technology trying to drive business."