stp process

Shay_9665917
Shay_9665917 Member Posts: 8
edited May 2020 in Accounts Hosted
Does anyone else wonder why Reckon Hosted STP is so complicated? All other accounting packages automatically upload the payroll information.  This is the only one that i have to:
- save a file,
- lodge the file
- login in to the portal
- open gov connect
- google authenticate myself
- open the file
- check the file
- upload the file.
We pay so much for this package and it is so antiquated in this process in comparison to other packages, even within their own quickbook range that it is getting frustrating and annoying.  I rang and spoke to customer service about it and they told me that it was not going to change and that is just they way it has to be done. 
Good Customer Service John - NOT

Comments

  • Kris_Williams
    Kris_Williams Member Posts: 3,272 Reckon Accounts Hosted Expert Reckon Accounts Hosted Expert
    edited May 2020
    Yes I do agree, Quickbooks online is a much simpler process, no setting up in Reckon Portal and the glitches that sometimes occur in there. I was amazed at how simple QB was
  • Rav
    Rav Administrator, Reckon Staff Posts: 15,305 Community Manager Community Manager
    edited May 2020
    Hi Shay,
    Hopefully I can add a bit of context.
    The GovConnect service serves multiple Reckon products both cloud based like Hosted and offline such as Reckon Accounts Business, rather than just a one product and it was important that we have a central platform to ensure everyone can be STP compliant no matter what technology or product they're using rather than leaving anyone out in the cold just because of the type of product.
    Another aspect and key difference which our GovConnect service provides is the ability to actually view the STP data you are about to send. This is something that our users were adamant they wanted in the STP process so that you as as the submitter is sure its correct rather than not being able to view what you've sent.

    Please note, some aspects of the STP process are mandated by the ATO in particular the Multi-Factor Authentication requirement.
    For more info I'd recommend taking a look at the information as set out by the ATO for Single Touch Payroll - https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Single-Touch-Payroll/


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  • Shay_9665917
    Shay_9665917 Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2019
    Hey Rav, Thanks for the explanation.  I think that you really need to provide a solution for each of your products that makes it simple for the end user, rather than a one size fits all that creates extra work and costs businesses money.  We pay a lot for this package and expect you to make our jobs easier.  
    We do not need to view or review the data being sent because if the payroll in the system is correct then the file should be correct. If some of your users were adamant about wanting to see their data then you should allow them to print a report, not make work for everyone else.
    Also I understand that the MFA is an ATO requirement, and i don't mind putting in a code but the saving and logging in and uploading and submitting that is required is unnecessary extra work.  It is not making it simpler as per the ATO's intentions.  
    If the answer is that you are not going to make the necessary changes to make it a TRUE ONE TOUCH, then we will definitely be researching other products.
  • Jenny Milne
    Jenny Milne Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2019
    Hi Rav,
    I have to say for the first time EVER I am seriously considering moving my clients away from Reckon. 
    I have been a long time user and always encouraged my clients over to Reckon where possible as I really thought this was their best option. Loved the product.
    Since getting into this whole STP thing this month, WOW. It is so not user friendly, way too difficult to figure out anything that is not 100% straight forward and absolutely falls way behind the other softwares I use.   
    I have all my clients on Hosted, I am not interested in ease of use across products and have now spent yet another hour messing around and still having no idea how to fix something.
    Reckon really needs to address this, if there are no plans made to change it I will be transferring all my clients to MYOB or Quickbooks. So much money spent on your updated software to comply and it falls so far short of the competition it's unbelievable.
    If some people need to connect different products, let them do all the work and give the rest of us an easier option. I'm guessing they would be in the minority and I know a lot of bookkeepers already considering ditching Reckon.
  • Kris_Williams
    Kris_Williams Member Posts: 3,272 Reckon Accounts Hosted Expert Reckon Accounts Hosted Expert
    edited May 2020
    Whilst I agree with how easy it was to setup Quickbooks with STP I have only had one minor glitch with Reckon One, nothing at all with Hosted. For me the biggest problem was getting used to a new program, but after setting it up for a few clients I gradually found out the hints and shortcuts to making things work. I would still recommend Hosted over Quickbooks, without a doubt
  • Glenda_7846464
    Glenda_7846464 Member Posts: 29 ✭✭
    edited April 2020
    I agree; Reckon is very complicated. It's about a 12-step process. Also if I need to make sure I have lodged a pay run, there is no way of doing this unless I connect back into GovConnect. The other problem I find is that if I want to check what I am lodging (and while I'm in GovConnect before lodging) the GovConnect page disappears and I cannot get it back. So frustrating. Why isn't there a report in Reckon for the lodgements made of STP? I believe Xero is a 1-step process for lodging, so why can't Reckon be the same.
  • Kris_Williams
    Kris_Williams Member Posts: 3,272 Reckon Accounts Hosted Expert Reckon Accounts Hosted Expert
    edited April 2020
    I don’t know if this is what you’re after but you can logon to the portal at any time to check lodgements at portal.reckon.com
  • Glenda_7846464
    Glenda_7846464 Member Posts: 29 ✭✭
    edited April 2020
    Yes I do know this. Thanks Kris.
  • Kris_Williams
    Kris_Williams Member Posts: 3,272 Reckon Accounts Hosted Expert Reckon Accounts Hosted Expert
    edited April 2020
    Even though I have used Quickbooks online and the STP lodgement is simpler than Reckon, as Rav stated you can get onto the portal and check submissions, I don’t think you can do that with QB online