2. 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
3. History of CounterBooks
CounterBooks 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 ESSO
2003 - Cloud version of CounterBooks developed
2003 - Implemented in Switzerland and Finland
2005 - Implemented in Germany
2006 - 1st file import from POS/BOS
2007 - CounterBooks available in the UK & Ireland
2011 - Available in South Africa
2012 - Server-to-Server interface launched
5. Case Studies
Case 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 2
100+ 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 3
All 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 4
250 + 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.
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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.
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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.
15. 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.com
T: (+44) 020 7099 1050
E: contact@counterbooks.com
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.