15055: FAQs and System Requirements (DAS)

Some common questions are answered below concerning payroll, e-filing, forms, accounting features, software installation, and software system requirements. For other questions, contact Drake Accounting^® Support at (828) 349-5908.

What is Drake Accounting^®?

Drake Accounting^® is an accounting software that offers Payroll, reporting, off-setting entry bookkeeping, Financial and Accountant reports, and Accounts Payable with check writing capability.

• The current software is Drake Accounting^® 2022.
• Drake Accounting^® can be installed from an internet download.
• During the year, updates are available via internet.

Payroll

• Can I write payroll checks with Drake Accounting^®?
  • Yes. We offer printing on pre-printed check stock and MICR printing on blank check stock.
• Can I direct deposit payroll checks with Drake Accounting^®?
  • Yes. We are partnered with Kotapay (formerly InterceptEFT). 
• Do I have to print checks in the software to create payroll reports?
  • No. You can enter all payroll info after-the-fact (ATF) at Employees > Payroll > ATF. ATF entries create a payroll file allowing payroll reporting.
• If I enter payroll for check writing purposes, do I have to reenter the individual checks again?
  • No. You can set up Drake Accounting^® so that once checks are written you can write the entire payroll to the journal in one step, or you can use Auto Post for payroll, Live or ATF.

E-Filing

• Can I e-file 94x series forms through Drake Accounting^®?
  • Yes, after you receive IRS authorization.
• Can Forms W-2 be e-filed?
  • Yes. Drake Accounting^® creates a Form W-2 file that you can transmit to the SSA for Federal filing. The individual submitting the Forms W-2 through Drake Accounting will not need a BSO account for that transmission. However, if you are not using Drake Accounting to e-File Forms W-2 or if you are transmitting a state W-2 e-File, a BSO account will be required.
  • Drake Accounting^® includes the ability to create a state electronic submission file for the Forms W-2. Drake adds this function for a state when information is available (if your state is not included, please contact Drake Accounting^® Support, at (828) 349-5908, with link or contact information from your state).
  • Both Federal Forms W-2 and State e-Filings for NC (Forms NC-3, 1099-R and W-2) can be transmitted through Drake Accounting^®. Additional states will be available in the future.
• Can Forms 1099 be e-filed?
  • Yes. Drake Accounting^® creates a transmittal file to upload to the IRS.
  • Depending on the state and your setup for e-filing, the federal Forms 1099 state information in some cases may be sent from the IRS to the state.
  • To e-file Forms 1099/1096, you first must set up an account with the IRS and you must have a Transmitter Control Code (TCC). 

Forms

• Does Drake Accounting^® use check stock and forms from a specific distributor?
  • Yes. We work with Nelco. See the Nelco web page for details and pricing. 
• Are pre-printed forms needed to print Forms W-2 and W-3 for year end?
  • Drake Accounting will print both the form and data for all available formats (2-up, 3-up, 4-up, and 4-down). 
  • Blank perforated forms for the 3-up, 4-up , and 4-down formats are suggested and are available from Nelco.
• Are pre-printed forms needed to print Forms 1099/1096 for year end?
  • Yes. You will need the Forms 1099 IRS copy A and the Forms 1096 red lined form. You can get these from the IRS, Nelco, or other office supply.
• Do you have state forms?
  • Yes, we offer many state forms. In Drake Accounting^®, please refer to Employees > State Tax & Wage.... for examples.
  • Drake incorporates state forms into Drake Accounting^® as the states make available the information that is necessary to program them.
  • Newly-programmed forms are subject to a state approval process.
  • A water mark visible on a form when you save it indicates the state has not yet approved the form for filing.

Accounting Features

• Do you have an Accounts Receivable/billing function?
  • An Accounts Receivable module is included.
• How detailed is Drake Accounting^®’s Accounting Module?
  • Drake Accounting^® offers accounting flexibility. You can set up your client’s Chart of Accounts using an existing template. You also can create your own Chart of Accounts for a client and then import it into other client files for use there.
• Can I update clients and bookkeeping from year to year?
  • Yes. Client/Employee/Vendor/Contractor setup information updates under Client > Update Prior Year Clients. After you have closed the prior year in the prior year software, you can update bookkeeping in the current year software at Accounting > Chart of Accounts.
• Can I keep books on a fiscal year basis?
  • Yes. There are additional considerations for fiscal year accounting. If you expect to use a fiscal year, call Drake Accounting^® Support for more information about this capability.

Software Installation

• Can Drake Accounting^® be networked?
  • Yes. You install Drake Accounting^® on the root drive of the server and map workstations to that drive as a network drive. We recommend that you install and update the software from the most used workstation.  The Peer-to-Peer network setup is supported starting with DAS21.
• Does Drake Accounting^® provide a way for my clients to supply employee information directly without me having to enter it manually?
  • That capability is available in Drake Accounting^®’s portal function.
  • Your client only needs internet access and a user setup on the portal. It permits your client to send employee information to a Drake web site that you can access to update Drake Accounting^® with your client’s current information.
  • This includes time card information from which checks can be written using Drake Accounting^®.
  • If you update that employee information in Drake Accounting^®, you can pass it back to the client through the web site to ensure both you and your client are always in sync.
• I am using Drake Accounting^® demo software. How do I get a serial number to activate it?
  • Drake will supply the serial number to activate Drake Accounting^® when you purchase the software.
• Is there a way to convert information from other software for use in Drake Accounting^®?
  • Yes. Drake offers QuickBooks, Sage 50 (Peachtree), Easy/ACCT, and Dillner's Tax conversions for Drake Accounting^®.
    • Conversion from the 1099-Etc program from Advanced Micro Solution is not available. 

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems

• Windows 8.1
• Windows 10
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2019

All operating systems are expected to have the latest updates installed. 

Windows 10 in S mode is not compatible.

System Recommendations

Minimum System Requirements

The following minimum system requirements will support Drake Accounting^® on most systems. For superior performance, we recommend system upgrades above the stated minimums. Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and the features and other programs you install.

• 1 GHz processor (Intel Core i3 or equivalent)
• 4 GB of RAM
• 1 GB of available hard drive space, plus 10–20 MB per Client
• Monitor capable of 1024 x 768 screen resolution
• Internet access (required to install program updates)  

Network Capabilities

• Whether you are an office of one or 100, it’s easy to network Drake Accounting^® with a dedicated server or peer-to-peer (P2P) setup (starting with DAS21).