Drake Accounting – FAQs and System Requirements

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Article #: 15055


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 2026.

  • Drake Accounting can be installed from an internet download.

  • During the year, updates are available via internet.

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.

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 watermark 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.

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 11

  • Windows Server 2016

  • Windows Server 2019

  • Windows Server 2022

  • Windows Server 2025

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

Caution Windows 10 in S mode is not compatible.

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.

Requirement Details
Operating system Windows 11
Processor 2.0 GHz processor (Intel Core i3 or equivalent)
Memory 4 GB of RAM
Disk Space 4 GB of available hard drive space, plus 10-20 MB per client
Monitor Capable of 1920 x 1080 screen resolution
Internet connection High-speed Internet (DSL, cable, or fiber)
Printer Laser printer (required if submitting printed forms to the Social Security Administration)
Browser Edge browser must be installed (other browsers such as Chrome and Firefox can be installed and used as the default).
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 4.8 or higher

System Recommendations

Requirement Details
Operating system Windows 11 Professional, 64-bit
Processor 2.5 GHz or faster multi-core processor (Intel Core i5 or equivalent)
Memory 8 GB or more
Hard Drive Solid-state (SSD) hard drives can enhance system performance
Internet connection High-speed Internet (cable or fiber — 25 Mbps or faster)

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).

Program Availability, Support, and Updates

Program Year Software Download Available? Customer Support Available? * Software Product Updates Available? *
2019 and Prior Not Available Not Available Not Available
2020 Available Not Available Not Available
2021 Available Not Available Not Available
2022 Available Not Available Not Available
2023 Available Not Available Not Available
2024 Available Not Available Not Available
2025 Available Available Available
2026 Available Available Available
2027 Not Yet Available Available

*Drake Software’s customer support services and software updates are governed by each software product’s End User License Agreement. Drake Software generally offers customer support and software updates for prior-year products on a commercially reasonable basis. For more information or questions about program support or availability, contact Drake Software Support at (828) 524-8020.

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