Download - Features and Benefits of CounterBooks
An Introduction
Key Features and Benefits
Executive Overview• A leading online retail accounting management suite designed specifically for retailers.
• The cloud based suite consists of:
• Purposely designed to solve the challenges of dealer networks, groups and franchises.
• CounterBooks is accessible anywhere via an internet enabled device through a fully secure, cloud infrastructure on a flexible monthly subscription model.
• Used by 1000’s of retailers across Europe.
• Recommended by industry experts and deployed by several of the largest oil companies in the world.
• Reduces cost and the time associated with retail accounting while improving accuracy and quality of management information
• Available in multiple languages
History of CounterBooksCounterBooks has a purely retail background, and unlike any other accounting system, it was initially designed by a retailer to help resolve the unique challenges he faced on a daily basis which traditional accounting systems did not.
Today, it is the leading online retail accounting management suite used by 1000’s of retailers across the world.
1998 - Founded by Chantrey Vellacott DFK, a Top 20 UK accounting firm (~ 300 staff)1999 - First implementation for ESSO2003 - Cloud version of CounterBooks developed2003 - Implemented in Switzerland and Finland2005 - Implemented in Germany2006 - 1st file import from POS/BOS2007 - CounterBooks available in the UK & Ireland2011 - Available in South Africa2012 - Server-to-Server interface launched
Client Portfolio
Case StudiesCase Study 1
65 store franchise group
From the daily sales by department data, entered at store level, variable commission rates were applied, and monthly franchise fees calculated automatically. These were produced within 2 or 3 days of the month end.
Case Study 2100+ company owned petrol convenience network
In 2010 the group analysed drive offs in the previous year, by forecourt and by territory. Time taken to produce the analysis – 20 minutes.
Case Study 3All corporate customers
A database search facility allows reports to be produced of purchases by sales department and approved supplier or by sales department and unapproved supplier.
Case Study 4250 + franchise group
The group expects their franchisees to complete their data entry within 15 days of the month end and for their accountant to have reviewed the financial statements within a further 15 days.Head office staff can access a real time report showing progress against these targets and exception reports showing those that missed.
CounterBooks Features and Benefits
Description:An online full general ledger accounting system specifically designed for dealers/franchisees to manage their business.
Features: • Easy to use and full general ledger system.• Integration with POS/BOS/supplier invoices.• Standardised chart of accounts and wide
array of accounting reports.• Multi lingual and customised for local
markets.• Drill down to transaction data.• Customised reporting. • Accounting period locking to avoid back
posting. • Hosted online – rapid deployment and low
capex
Benefits:• Reduced costs • Easy to use• Financial controls • Accessible online
Description:An online retail management information system for retail companies to gain transparency and control of their dealer/franchisee network.
Features: • Reports on locked periods and usage.• Full access to all sites with drilldown
capabilities. • Purchase compliance and assessment. • Network wide P&L and Net worth/Liquidity
reports.• Comprehensive data analysis across the full
spectrum of the accounting data. • Export data into spreadsheets for further
analysis.• Hosted online – rapid deployment and low
capex.
Benefits:• Transparency • Control • Benchmarking • Accessible online
General Architecture
Corporate /
Franchisor
Utilities etc.
Small local suppliers
Preferred
Suppliers
Data for analysis
Retailer/
Franchisee
Deliveries
reconciled
with invoices
by site manager
Accountant
Data Export File
Reporting
Data Import 95%
Manual Input 5%
Invoice data
Electronic
invoicing
including
Preferred
Suppliers,
Utilities etc.
Delivery Notes
Advice
and
special
bookings
Paper
Invoices
POS
Reporting Architecture Interim Reports
- P&L
- Balance sheet
Always up to date
Head Office reports
Site User
Accountant
Corporate/Franchisor
Statutory/Audit Reports
Data analysis
and data mining
Month End reports
- comply with company requirements
Formatted pdf documents
Usage reports
Territory Manager reports
Global Deployment Capabilities• The application is delivered through the cloud, which reduces the requirement for capex
investment and provides a rapid deployment platform.
• CounterBooks has the unique capabilities to deploy globally. The application can be tailored to meet the needs of any local market :-
Multi lingual – can be translated into any language – all character sets can be supported. Compliant with local accounting standards. Compliant with government requirements. Customised reporting to meet the oil companies’ requirements.
• CounterBooks can be supported by the incumbent accounting service providers, however CounterBooks can source alternative providers through its affiliation of DFK, which is a Top 10 international advisory network with over 380 offices and 10,000 staff. This relationship provides CounterBooks with the international accounting expertise and accounting professionals to deliver a global project.
Benefits of CounterBooks
No waiting for reports – Instant reporting and analysis available 24/7
from anywhere
Real Time Reporting.....
Operating and financial reports for single
sites and small groups
Management reporting packages for larger
corporations
Paper forms, books and sending off invoices for data entry are methods of the past. Cut Transmission costs
Automatic data entry Imports available
from POS/BOS and invoice files in xml,
csv and excel
Reduced Costs...
Significantly reduced fees from not having
to rely on accountants to enter data
Online systems reduce travel costs. Site results
available to head office and territory management
Management issues – As data is processed online issues can be identified
to prevent problems
Reducing Operation
Risk
No waiting for meetings – An integrated
message- and helpdesk system provides
efficient communication and service
Security – server is located in a purpose built data
run by a professional hosting company; data centre
backed up daily and taken off site to secure storage
Summary Points • CounterBooks is an online retail accounting management suite • Dealers/franchisees use the online retail accounting system• Head Office use the retail management information system• The full CounterBooks suite can be deployed, alternatively just the accounting system or MIS• Deployed over the cloud – rapid deployment, reduced capex, and fully managed.• Successfully deployed by numerous retailers also including several major oil companies.• CounterBooks can be translated and customised for all countries. • Local accounting support can be delivered through incumbent providers or the DFK network.• CounterBooks will deliver the following benefits:-
• Lower costs (transmission costs, accounting costs)• Improved reporting – standardised and customised reporting across the network with full
data analysis capabilities.• Manage risk – assess credit, business and churn risk through monitoring net worth and
liquidity.• Monitor compliance – assess the purchasing compliance of retailers and reporting
deadlines.• Easy to use – designed to be intuitive and easy to use.
• Fully supported – full training and helpdesk support is provided to all users resulting in high customer satisfaction and user engagement.
• Cost savings and self funding project – the deployment of CounterBooks is often funded by the savings of the retailers professional service fees.
RFI or RFP:We would be delighted to respond to any ‘Request For Information’ (RFI) and ‘Request For Proposal’ (RFP) – please forward all requests.
Book an online demonstration:
W: www.CounterBooks.comT: (+44) 020 7099 1050E:
If you are interested in understanding how CounterBooks could empower you and your stakeholders by reducing costs,
improving accuracy while making more informed business decisions – please contact us to book an online demonstration.
Next steps
Benchmarking of current provision:We would happily produce a benchmarking report of your current provision against CounterBooks capabilities – please forward
all requests.