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David Dierke is president and CEO of AccountMate Software Corporation in Petaluma, Calif. He previously was executive vice president of Sales when AccountMate was owned by Softline, and also worked for Softline’s sister company, BusinessVision. Prior to joining Softline, he was executive vice president of Sales with SBT Accounting Systems.
Scott Cytron: Tell me how AccountMate differs from other accounting software programs.
David Dierke: For more than 25 years, AccountMate has provided customers with powerful and flexible source code accounting and business management software that can meet the exact needs of their business. Other accounting solutions generally require clients to make changes within their established business processes in order to use their software restraints. In most cases, this costs the clients’ business far more than just the price of the software in terms of time lost and overall decreased productivity. |
David Dierke, CEO
Accountmate Software Corp |
AccountMate’s source code, the mechanics of the software, is modifiable – it can be adapted to any business situation and evolve as a business dictates. Our software is also sold by the module, which allows clients the ability purchase an overall solution that meets the specific needs for their business without the burden of paying for features not applicable.
SC: The CPA Technology Advisor gave your customization/security four stars in its most recent review of your software. Focusing on security, why should CPAs and their staffs be concerned about security, and what do you think software providers can do to instill a greater sense of urgency in their customers or users?
DD: We concur with those CPAs who are concerned with security within their client’s applications, and certainly respect that proprietary information should remain confidential to only those authorized to retain it.
Unfortunately, security issues really need to be addressed, first, by the three groups of people who are initially responsible for software security: 1) software architects and developers, who are increasingly charged with designing and writing secure applications; 2) test/QA professionals, who must ensure new applications meet security requirements; and 3) systems and development managers, who are charged with ensuring existing applications are protected against attack. Without a coordinated campaign within the development community to standardize a solution, we can’t expect our clients to make much headway in protecting themselves.
SC: You have worked in accounting software solutions for a long time. Tell me three ways in which the accounting software industry has changed over the last five years.
DD: A great question.
1. Web-based applications and interfaces. Accessing the World Wide Web and supporting its unique requirements have certainly produced incremental revenues for our industry, as well our clients.
2. Specialization in providing unique vertical solutions to meet the needs of clients. In the past, most companies needed the same add-on solutions, such as CRM and business intelligence. Now, there has been a shift because of influences like bio-terrorism, Sarbanes-Oxley, “Green certification” and others. We now see examples of vertical solutions needed to meet very specific requirements. An example would be food industry suppliers needing add-on vertical solutions that provide traceability and special handling to meet regulatory requirements.
3. Embracing the Windows Desktop interface for client productivity. Our industry had a “proprietary software” mindset. By moving our applications into a Windows standard, we have truly allowed our individual end users to become more efficient within their work by adding shortcuts, allowing for attachments and enabling integration with cell phones.
SC: How does AccountMate help its users better understand your solutions? What kind of training programs and/or education do you have in place?
DD: We sell our AccountMate system through a very talented reseller channel. They are very knowledgeable about our products and are the ones who can modify a client’s system to match the client’s requirements. For these reasons, they do most of the AccountMate training of their own clients. Because they work with their clients and know the part of the program being used, they understand why any modifications were incorporated. As a result, they are the experts who can most effectively train their clients. In addition, AccountMate provides extensive training for our resellers so that they can best service their clients. We also offer client online and in-class training.
SC: Many companies use Social Media to push out their messages. In what ways are you using social media? If you are not using this, why not?
DD: While we know that a lot of companies are beginning to employ many new social media communication, AccountMate hasn’t employed many of them directly to clients. We respect the fact that resellers within our channel do most of the direct-communication with their clients on our behalf. So, if we do much in the way of social media with Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and blogs, it would be to our channel and not to their clients.
SC: If you were stranded on a desert island with access to only one kind/piece of technology, what would it be and why?
DD: A very difficult question for sure. Being lost on a desert island could lend itself to be a wonderful experience depending on the environment and my state of mind at that moment in time.
I have to assume it isn’t going to be “paradise lost” and that I’m gong to want to be rescued ASAP, rather than building a tree house and waiting for Jane to wash up on shore. My choice in this case would be a Satellite Phone with the solar optional charger; this would allow “ET to call home,” be tracked to the location of the island and be rescued.