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PC MARS for Windows is a full-featured accounting software designed specifically for farm applications, but with enough flexibility that it may be used for small business applications. Designed for the Windows 9X operating system and above, it features many capabilities available in that platform. The program also works in the Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows ME, and Windows XP environments. Pc Mars is fully 64 and 32 bit compatible. (It will not work with Windows 3.1)

The software requirements are a Pentium 266 MHz system with 32 meg of RAM if using Windows 95/98 or 64 meg of RAM if using Windows ME/2000/XP/Vista/7. A VGA monitor and Windows supported printer is also required.

CASH OR ACCRUAL:

The software will operate in either a cash basis accounting mode or the fully accrual basis mode; depending on which system is selected during the installation process. The cash system is a simpler and easier to use, whereas the accrual system will handle more complex accrual accounting methods. The accrual system is capable of generating cash basis reports, dependent upon the method of inventory adjustment entries.

BANK, FUND ACCOUNTS:

PC Mars will enable the user to track up to 30 different bank, money market or other fund accounts and their balances. As in the vendor file, new accounts may be added from the data entry screen without exiting to the software setup procedures. As the user enters individual transactions, the data entry screen will display the accessed bank or fund account balance. Procedures are provided to rapidly reconcile information entered into PC MARS with monthly bank statement(s).

CHART OF ACCOUNTS:

The software, either cash or accrual, has several farm or small business charts of accounts that may be selected during the setup process. There are farm charts of accounts that conform to the categories used by the Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota (FinPack) Farm Business Farm Management systems. User may select a totally user defined system as well. The system provides up to 625 account codes.

VENDOR CAPABILITIES:

The software provides the user listing for commonly used vendors, both to facilitate entry time and check printing. There is a separate vendor listing for individual loan accounts. All vendors may be "flagged" for 1099 reporting, and specific reporting capabilities are available for the listing of potential 1099 recipients. New vendors can be added "on-the-fly" without having to enter the software setup procedures. All vendors may be assigned a default account code, easing the data entry routines. The vendor file capacity is limited only to the user's needs or hard drive capacity.

PAYROLL CAPABILITIES:

Users may set up payroll files for an unlimited number of employees; specifying the information necessary to generate the payroll check and the appropriate deductions for federal, state and FICA withholdings as well as a pension and three other potential withholdings. Payroll checks can be printed with a detailed stub. A full compliment of labor/payroll reports are available to users in both the case or accrual versions of the software.

LOAN TRACKING:

PC Mars users are able to track specific loan balances and interest paid on each specific loan. Loans will display in the vendor file, with the *L indicator denoting that this is a specific loan. As with the payroll capability, there is a full compliment of loan reports available for the users to select from. As with the vendor file, the loan list is limited to the users needs and/or hard drive capacity.

ENTERPRISING:

In the farm accounting area, or the small business structure, ability to segregate the business into enterprise segments is a necessity. PC Mars users can define an unlimited number of different enterprises within their business. The reporting capability of PC Mars allows the user to generate reports by enterprise. All account codes may also be defaulted to a specific enterprise, easing the data entry process.

DESCRIPTIONS:

PC Mars users can set up a "pick list" of an unlimited number of descriptions that may be used in either deposit or check transactions. The list insures that the descriptions are identical for search and selective reporting purposes. These descriptions may be added "on-the-fly" as in the case of vendors, and account codes, etc.

PROFIT CENTERS:

During the software setup, PC Mars users may opt to utilize profit center designations in their accounting. A profit center may be a separate segment of an enterprise, i.e. the finishing buildings in the hog enterprise, or a land lease unit. In the flexible "selective" reports capabilities of PC MARS, this allows excellent income/expense tracking abilities.

DETAILING ENTRIES:

Users may track income and expenses to many levels. From vendor, account code, enterprise, descriptions, to profit center. The selective reporting capabilities will support this "sort" level, plus date and bank/fund account selections.

CREDIT TRANSACTIONS:

Transactions involving revolving credit accounts or credit cards can be entered.

INVENTORY CAPABILITIES:

Inventory information can be entered to the level of detail desired by the user. For instance the user can enter total quantity of grain and livestock or detail it by bin or individual livestock group. This inventory information is used to compile a Net Worth Statement using either cash (basis) or market value numbers. In the accrual system, an accurate inventory can be derived at any time from information entered in transactions. Seven screens provided for entry of inventory information.

REPORTING CAPABILITIES:

PC Mars has the normal report capabilities, in either the cash or accrual mode, of any accounting software, but its payroll and loan tracking reports have been designed with versatility in mind. The "selective" reporting capability permit the user to generate reports based on any one of the data entry blocks or any combination.

CASH FLOW PLANNING:

Cash flow planning / budgeting features in PC Mars allows the user to build a annual, monthly or quarterly budget for the accounting year. The system will then generate "comparative" income statements that compare the budgeted amounts with the actual figures for the reporting month and the year-to-date figures.

 

 

OPTIONS AVAILABLE DURING DATA ENTRY

REPORTS AVAILABLE

Summary of Other Features

Prices

Upgrade Information

Pc Mars for Windows (full) version 2.5 is now available. The major changes from Version 2.0 and Version 1.2 are listed below.  The changes in Version 2.5 are in blue and listed first.  Pc Mars will now be sent out on a CD (Compact Disk), unless stated otherwise.

Bank and Credit Statement Download

Payroll

File

Options

Setup

Transactions

Reports and Printing

Inventory (new name, was net worth)

Cash Flow

Utility

Other

Upgrade Prices

Patch updates to Pc Mars Version 2.2

Problems were detected after version 2.2 was released.  An update patch is available to fix these problems, as well as added features. You can tell if any of these affect you by examining the version number, listed under "About Pc Mars" under the Help Menu. Examine the version number and note the changes made for higher versions than yours. Described below are the problems and changes made for each of the versions updates. Note that these update VERSION 2.2 ONLY.

Version 2.2.8

  1. The 2 percent reduction of the employee share of social security taxes is extended through December 31, 2012.

Version 2.2.7

  1. The 2 percent reduction of the employee share of social security taxes is extended until February 29, 2012.
  2. For non-simplified payroll method, the employer share of social and medicare is not added to the paycheck if the the user blanks out the employee share of social security and medicare.
  3. Fixed a problem in FINPACK export (Minnesota users only), where milk units were not being exported correctly.

Version 2.2.6

  1. Fixed a problem with network sharing (Paradox user error), caused by enhanced open/view.
  2. Changed the calculating of State Tax Withholding with a fixed amount only being entered. (Advanced Payroll only)
  3. Do not allow reusing of paychecks from a previous year and recurring paychecks are not carried over from a previous year. This is because of different withholding percentages used in past years.
  4. Allow ZIP backup and restore of PLUS set of books in Pc Mars.
  5. Added an option for enterprise budgeting – Small business and Church Set of Books only.
  6. Added an option for enterprise “Fund” balance reporting – Small business and Church Set of Books only.
  7. Changed multiple selection in the Check Register Report to “period” vs. “month” when direct control of the period is enabled.
  8. Added a warning when a “zero amount” paycheck is entered and changed the calculation to show withholding in the appropriate Labor Reports.
  9. Program change – Now only withholding will be included on paycheck stubs, even if a same name is used in the Vendor List as well as the Employee List.
  10. A date range selection was added to the W2 Summary Report.
  11. Added an option to the Expanded Labor Report for advanced users to screen out labor deposits occurring in a month or date range. Also this deposit criteria is listed on the top of the deposit portion of the report.
  12. Option to specify quarterly FUTA rates for 2011(only), on the FUTA Report screen. For fiscal Set of Books, different FUTA rates and limits can be entered for the two spanned calendar years (under Payroll General Information)
  13. Fixed an issue in the Labor Withholding and Deposit Report where the printing of deposits was overrunning past the end of the page.
  14. Added a check in Advanced Payroll (only), where labor deposit descriptions cannot be the same as any of the withholding descriptions. Also in Advanced Payroll, a check was added so that pension employer share description cannot be the same as pension withholding description.

Version 2.2.5

  1. Several users received a reconcile error after installing version 2.2.4.  This was due to characteristics of different operating systems.  This patch will correct this issue for all operating systems.
  2. Non-simplified payroll users who made manual entries without matching descriptions for Social Security and Medicare withholdings noticed changes to the labor deposit reports.  This patch restores previous method for employer share matching calculations for paychecks entered prior to 1-1-11. 
  3. Updated new IFBA address for advanced payroll ordering

Version 2.2.4

This update accommodates the federal 2010 year end tax legislation dealing with social security paycheck deductions.  The new law requires the employee share of social security tax for 2011 be decreased to 4.2% (instead of the previous 6.2%).  The employer's share, or match amount, will remain unchanged at 6.2%.  If any paychecks were entered incorrectly at the 6.2% rate, this update will also handle any offsetting adjustments made prior to March 31, 2011.

Version 2.2.3

  1. Removed period column from reports where not pertinent; (when direct control of the period is NOT selected). The period is always displayed on these reports: check register and bank transfer report.
  2. The deposit number now prints on the Nelco deposit tickets
  3. Nelco check & deposit forms listed in selection box and Nelco order screens are added with hyperlinks to their website.
  4. Tack notes are now "word wrapped" for entry and viewing ease.
  5. Loan interest rate is printed on loan reports
  6. Added an option to print all tack notes on the Year End Detail Report (Cash Version) or Full Year General Ledger (Accrual Version).
  7. Added the ability to change a non-multiple loan vendor expense to a multiple loan vendor expense and vice-versa.
  8. Enhanced Open/View now will now read books that have been “renamed” to a longer books names than the Pc Mars 8-characters default.
  9. Amount column is moved before description column on the credit transaction screen to match the check and deposit entry screens.
  10. Fixed an issue with deposit slip printing with blank vendors or descriptions
  11. Date format (mm/dd/yy) cannot be overridden by a computer’s operating configuration.
  12. On the Restore screen, the "Restore from zip file" check box was moved to the top of the screen.
  13. Fixed an issue with the Tack Notes’ “Go To” button when there was no notes ever created.
  14. If Account Receivable Program, A/R (interfaced mode) is running with an open set of books, Pc Mars cannot open that set of books at the same time and vice versa.
  15. Enhanced open/view screen; in Pc Mars only selects Pc Mars books to backup when “select all” is chosen. Note: PLUS will select both Pc Mars and PLUS sets of books.
  16. Added a feature under Utility to reset the printer settings. This will reset both the report and check printer option to the Windows default printer. This feature was added because wireless printers were being “lost” when signal dropped out.
  17. Updated Advanced Payroll order form
  18. Renamed patch installation exe file for improved patch installation
  19. Changed 2.2.3 installation so that any “read only” program files that need updated have their attributes automatically changed.

  Version 2.2.2

  1. New "Live" net worth is now available with small business, generic, and church sets of books.
  2. Enhanced Open/View is now available in advanced file maintenance mode.
  3. Fixed a problem with loan balances not being carried over correctly with accrual sets of books. (Accrual installations only)
  4. Fixed a problem in Alternate FICA report with advanced payroll when using "other" pay types (Advanced Payroll only).
  5. Added a "quit asking" option to net worth calculation screen that appear before opening inventories. (Accrual installations only)
  6. Removed shading in the Net Worth Statement that was causing a problem with some printers.
  7. Added back in Fica detail to labor reports that was in previous versions of Pc Mars.
  8. Fixed a problem with Fica/Fed remaining calculations in detail labor reports.

Version 2.2.1

  1. Modified program for regular payroll so that state tax tables can be used for state tax withholding after December 2009.  Note that these tables may be out of date, so state withholding calculations may not be correct after December 2009.
  2. Fixed problem with employee list (regular and advanced payroll) where certain edit items were not being updated when using the scroll bar to browse employees.
  3. Fixed a "looping" error condition in advanced payroll when changing pension type.
  4. Fixed a problem converting regular payroll to advanced payroll, when "YES" is entered instead of "CONVERT".

If any of these affect you and you want to update your program to the latest release (2.2.8) , go to IFBA website to: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars 2.2

This is a file that updates or fixes your existing Pc Mars 2.2 program file. Just save the file to your desktop. Then run the update program (Pc Mars Update 2.2.8.0.exe) by double clicking on it. It will ask you for the location (folder) containing Pc Mars 2.2. This most likely will be in "PcmWinf". This folder you specify must contain Pc Mars 2.2 in order for the program to be updated.

Patch updates to Pc Mars Version 2.3

Problems were detected after version 2.3 was released.  An update patch is available to fix these problems, as well as added features. You can tell if any of these affect you by examining the version number, listed under "About Pc Mars" under the Help Menu. Examine the version number and note the changes made for higher versions than yours. Described below are the problems and changes made for each of the versions updates. Note that these update VERSION 2.3 ONLY.

Version 2.3.4

Modification to version 2.3.3 number 11 shown below, so that payroll pay types and withholding matching still must be exact, BUT labor deposit descriptions do not.  Labor deposits only have to match the first part of the description(s) entered under Payroll General Information, but extra text can be tacked on the end of a description in the deposit transaction.

 Version 2.3.3

  1. Added the option under Miscellaneous Options called, “Show 1st credit/deposit vendor on reconcile”. When this is selected, the “pay to the order of” will be displayed on the reconcile screen for credit transactions instead of the creditor (loan vendor).  This option also applied to deposits.
  2. The default 100 bank account can now be deactivated; (if it has not been previously used in a transaction and at least one other bank account is activated).
  3. Updated the detailed Loan Report so that loan vendor with 0% interest is reported as “Interest rate = 0%”, (previously “0” was the same as a blank entry and not reported on this report).
  4. Updated the automatic increment check/deposit number; so that it now retains leading zeroes. So number “01” become “02”, (before “01” became “2”).
  5. Updated fiscal labor report option called “Join fiscal years for calendar year reports”. Now if a user tries to join a simplified payroll set of books with a non-simplified payroll set of books (or visa-versa), they will get the following warning: “You cannot join to that set of books for labor reports, because the payroll method is not the same as the currently opened set of books.”
  6. Updated advanced payroll order form.
  7. Updated “Help” on several screens.
  8. Updated Pc Mars program version checker, which now looks at the first three digits (vs. PLUS four digits).
  9. Updated restore so only Pc Mars/PLUS files are deleted when Pc Mars/PLUS data is restored.
  10. Delayed any pending transaction pop-up screen from opening when the open/view set of books screen is opened.
  11. Updated Payroll so now withholding, deposits and pay types (advanced payroll) matching must be exact, for these items to be included in the labor reports.

Version 2.3.2

  1. Added a bank balance override feature.  This allows you to "start over" with selected bank account(s) if carried over bank balances are in error, due to problems with prior year sets of books.
  2. Added inventory number to the report of assets and liabilities carried forward on the carry over balances utility.
  3. Improved the user experience on the Capital Asset Purchase wizard - On a blank creditor you can go backwards, and  improved the use of the enter key on entry grids.
  4. Fixed some issues with error checking on the entry of the data location of prior year set of book(s).
  5. Fixed an issue with the calculator returned result.
  6. Fixed an issue with the carryover of existing duplicate assets descriptions.  Also added error checking when new duplicate asset descriptions are entered.
  7. Added error checking when deleting assets that have been carried over to a new year.

Version 2.3.1

  1. Corrected a few issues with the Capital Asset Purchase wizard and added capabilities:
    1. Corrected an issue with the "vendor" column showing, when it should not have been, after a Capital Asset Purchase (with Cash and Financing) is saved to a check transaction.
    2. Clarification of the "boot" comment.  It is now not displayed if the transaction includes rolling over an existing loan.
    3. Expense and income codes can now be entered in the entry detail associated with rolling over an existing loan.
    4. Corrected an issue with the Capital Asset Wizard button on the icon bar being enabled for Accrual sets of books.  It is now grayed out (disabled).
  2. Corrected an issue with the exporting of selected items to a spreadsheet.  It was not importing everything if the period specifications were blank.  The issue is now fixed.
  3. Clarified the Social Security Rate comment on Payroll General Information screen and F1 help screen.
  4. Corrected an issue with the Carryover Balances utility with the carrying over of zero balance loans.  The zero balance loans were being carried over again even if the user chose not to when creating a new sets of books for the year.  This is now fixed.
  5. Clarified the F1 help screen for Finpack account code customization.
  6. Added the availability of periods n1-n12 on the menu bar and the period selection screen when in Direct Control of Period mode.

If any of these affect you and you want to update your program to the latest release (2.3.4), go to IFBA website to: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars 2.3

This is a file that updates or fixes your existing Pc Mars 2.3 program file. Just save the file to your desktop. Then run the update program (Pc Mars Update 2.3.4.0.exe) by double clicking on it. It will ask you for the location (folder) containing Pc Mars 2.3. This most likely will be in "PcmWinf". This folder you specify must contain Pc Mars 2.3 in order for the program to be updated.

Patch updates to Pc Mars Version 2.4

Issues were detected after version 2.4 was released.  An update patch is available to fix these issues, as well as added features. You can tell if any of these affect you by examining the version number, listed under "About Pc Mars" under the Help Menu. Examine the version number and note the changes made for higher versions than yours. Described below are the issues and changes made for each of the versions updates. Note that these update VERSION 2.4 ONLY.

Version 2.4.5

  1. Fixed an issue with the 2.4.3 update, where the SUTA attachment and export was reporting year-to-date figures instead of quarterly figures as it should have.

Version 2.4.4

  1. Fixed an issue with the 2.4.3 update, where paychecks entered in a credit transaction was not being reported in the loan report to the creditor account.

Version 2.4.3

  1. Added a monthly selection option for FUTA and SUTA Reports in Advanced Payroll.  The report format was also changed to better report monthly FUTA/SUTA due.
  2. When the beginning balance is changed on the vendor screen for a creditor, the user is asked if the beginning cleared balance should also be changed to that value.
  3. When the user double-clicks on liabilities on the "live" net worth screen, the liability entry screen goes to the "Group" selection entry box instead of the "Term" selection entry box, making navigation to different loans easier.
  4. Fixed an issue where the paycheck calculation screen was coming up at the same time as the invalid date error dialog.
  5. Fixed an issue where a duplicate name is used for both an employee name and a vendor name.  The program no longer allows a vendor name to be entered as an employee name and vice-versa.  The loan report also does not report any paycheck entries, unless it is an employee loan.
  6. Fixed an issue with FinPack export for Michigan and Illinois Sets of Books.  There was missing FinPack export codes for Pc Mars account code 331, which was corrected.
  7. "Close" buttons were added on the Budget and Cash Flow entry screens.
  8. On the Advanced Payroll order form, Michigan was added to the list of states that have state tax tables available in Advanced Payroll.
  9. The carryover process only asks you delete any “zero” loan vendors if both the balance and cleared balance are zero (for “creditor” enabled loan vendors).
  10. The “go to previous year set of books” and “return to current year set of books” are reset if the user manually selects a different name set of books.
  11. Update the loan Vendor “override beginning balance” warning. This gives the user a better explanation of this option.
  12. The warning dialog that is shown when an incorrect year is entered in Accounts Payable, was changed to default to "No".
  13. Fixed an issue where the error message "AccPay.DB file does not exist" was being received.
  14. The Accounts Payable setting for a set of books is now listed in the Enhanced Open/View printout.

  15. Fixed an issue where Accounts Payable files were not being carried over correctly in certain cases.

Version 2.4.2

  1. Fixed an issue with carry-over of sealed grain.  Sealed grain account codes were using current year instead of prior year values.
  2. Fixed an issue where there were invalid account codes in Payroll General Information in the "Simplified payroll method" setting.  This invalid data was causing the error message "“Cannot focus a disabled or invisible window”.  This corrects that issue.
  3. Added a "Check code activations" utility under the Utility menu.  This utility will ensure that all the account codes used in transactions have been activated.
  4. Added a warning about "Inaccuracy In Records" on the reports that check for this.
  5. Fixed an issue with the carry-over of "non-creditor" loans with a zero loan balance.
  6. This version "enables" the use of the Accounts Payable Module when it is installed and allows for smooth operation if a Set of Books that has Accounts Payable data is opened by a program that does not have Accounts Payable Module installed.
  7. Added an Expanded Option in the Vendor Detail Report so that it can better report on contributor giving in a Church Set of Books and other charity organizations.
  8. The warning dialog that is shown when an incorrect year is entered in transactions defaults to "No".
  9. If the "override" setting in Bank Account and Creditor screens is changed, this is reflected immediately in an open Check/Credit Reconciliation screen.
  10. If the bank account balance in changed as a result of transaction begin entered, that value is reflected immediately in other transaction screens that may also be open.
  11. A simpler screen is shown when going to a previous year set of books.
  12. F1 Help screens have been updated regarding the above changes.
  13. Improved some centering issues with some of the windows.

Version 2.4.1

  1. Include extra pay hours in the Expanded Labor Report ONLY if “hour” is the unit descriptor in payroll general setup.  This is entered as “Extra pay unit name” in regular Payroll General Information, or as “Unit Descriptor” in Advanced Payroll.
  2. The F1 help screen for Export Selected Items includes a note saying that the unit figure will always be exported whether it is by “Hour” or other unit descriptor.
  3. The default FUTA contribution rate for new sets of books is now .006 instead of .008.
  4. The “Reset Screen to Primary Monitor” utility is now included in the Pc Mars folder in the start menu.  Note: This is done on complete installs only, not to the patch.
  5. New employees now default to no manual overtime calculation in Advanced Payroll.
  6. Added the ability to enter a blank beginning or ending date on the check register.
  7. This is regarding the user entering a new transaction and then tabbing through to a new line item underneath.  It the user tabs past a blank vendor to the account code, Pc Mars will give an account code error message, but will now go to the vendor column, so that it can be corrected first.
  8. Added a case-sensitive option to the “Find Transaction” procedure, which is normally case-insensitive.
  9. Added a case-sensitive option to the “Change vendors in all transactions” utility, which is normally case-insensitive.
  10. Corrected an issue with the “Change vendor in all transactions” utility when it is automatically brought up as a result of the user is trying to make a change to vendor name.
  11. You are no longer allowed to enter new vendors with the same spelling, but where one or more characters differ in case.  For example, “ACE Plumbing” cannot be added if “Ace Plumbing” exists.
  12. Added a “Reset to “None” button on the Business Information screen, Advanced Tab.  This allows the user to quickly reset one or all of the prior year links to “None specified”.
  13. This in regards to the display of Prior Years on the Business Information screen and multi-year reports.  If a path is present, but cannot be found it displays “Not found” rather than “None specified”.
  14. Added additional text to the “Carry over balances” screen when the user selects it from the Utility menu.  If the user previously selected “No”, to the question “Do you want to Carryover...”, additional text will be displayed indicating that fact.
  15. Fixed an issue with the Multiple Enterprise and Multiple Profit center reports.  There was an issue with the report when one or two character Enterprises or one character Profit Centers were entered.  This issue has been corrected.
  16. Added a case-sensitive browse option.
  17. To be more consistent, the entry order of Quantity and Rate for extra pay in regular payroll were swapped.
  18. Added an information screen (with a "Quit asking" option), that pops up when Enhanced Open/View window is initiated.
  19. F1 Help screens have been updated regarding the above changes.

If any of these affect you and you want to update your program to the latest release (2.4.5) click on the following: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars 2.4

This is a file that updates or fixes your existing Pc Mars 2.4 program file. Just save the file to your desktop. Then run the update program (Pc Mars Update 2.4.5.0.exe) by double clicking on it. It will ask you for the location (folder) containing Pc Mars 2.4. This most likely will be in "PcmWinf". This folder you specify must contain Pc Mars 2.4 in order for the program to be updated.

Patch updates to Pc Mars Version 2.5

Issues were detected after version 2.5 was released.  An update patch is available to fix these issues, as well as added features. You can tell if any of these affect you by examining the version number, listed under "About Pc Mars" under the Help Menu. Examine the version number and note the changes made for higher versions than yours. Described below are the issues and changes made for each of the versions updates. Note that these update VERSION 2.5 ONLY.

Version 2.5.4

  1. Fixed bank import issue with imported dollar amount that have commas for thousand separators. Also fixed an unseen issue that might arise with negative amounts formatted as enclosed in parenthesis.
  2. Modified W2 Summary Report to correctly report the Soc. Sec. Base wages when a date range is entered (instead of year). The correct phase-out limit is applied to the date range.  A starting year for which the phase-out limit is applied is entered by the user.
  3. Disallow editing of payroll (by the use of the setup button) while a paycheck is being entered.
  4. Capital Purchase Wizard has been modified to accommodate the new tax rules for traded assets.  The Capital Purchase Wizard now has the Help button, and F1 Help updated as well as the calculate loan balance function.

Version 2.5.3

  1. Fixed an issue with the SUTA and FUTA Report, where the report heading was incorrect when an ending quarter was selected rather than ending month.
  2. Fixed an issue where Pc Mars would stop working if a Bank Account was entered in the Vendor List, with default account code entered for that vendor.
  3. Added the full enterprise name to the enterprise sub-totals (in addition to the 3 letter enterprise code) on all of the detailed reports that have the option to show enterprise sub-totals.
  4. Increased the font size of the “memo” on printed checks for the “Pc Mars style” of checks (same as it now is for the “Alternate” style). 
  5. Added an option to print a Summary Total of all employees on the W2 Summary Report.
  6. The column width showing the Set of Books name was increased on the “Open Set of Books” screen.  This is the basic screen with the “Enhanced” option disabled.
  7. Fixed an issue with Bank and Credit Account Import when no column headings are supplied in the CSV import file.  In that case a zero can be entered as the “Column Heading Line Number” and then entry of column numbers instead of column text in the matchup column specification.
  8. Added an advanced (right click) option to Bank and Credit Account Import, where the auto-numbering of transactions can be disabled when blank transaction numbers are encountered in the input file.
  9. Added an option where the creditor will default to the last one used, when subsequent credit transaction are entered.  
  10. Increased the space on the Check and Deposit entry screens for display of the bank account name.

Version 2.5.2

  1. Fixed an issue where Assets and Liability inventory numbers where being blanked out when the “Carryover Balances” utility was run.  (After description changes to assets or liabilities).
  2. Added a right click option to Assets and Liabilities to mark the item for removal when carrying over to the new year.  When it is marked “R”, ending values are cleared out, numbers can’t be entered into ending inventory and the item is NOT carried over to the new year.
  3. If the program detects that there are any blank inventory numbers for assets or liabilities it will assign default values to them.
  4. Show Accounts Payable version number on the “About” screen.
  5. The vendor screen defaults to a “regular” vendor, when the vendor screen is opened for the first time and no vendors have yet been added.
  6. When carrying over an Accrual Sets of Books, the program will now only ask once to update ending inventory from transaction data.  (This will now apply to both previous and new year’s sets of books.)
  7. Fixed an issue where the Bank and Credit Import setup was lost after carryover.
  8. A right click option was added in the Bank and Credit Import holding pen screen to enable or disable the prior year from duplication testing. 
  9. Fixed an issue where the calculator wasn’t filling in currency values in transactions.
  10. Fixed an issue with the inability to reconcile with prior year sets of books, if that data is version 2.2.8 or prior.
  11. Fixed an issue on reconcile screen where a bank that was not specified for color.  The bank selection drop down background color was gray rather than white as it should be.
  12. Fixed an issue with the SUTA attachment on the SUTA report.  It was reporting cumulative totals rather than ending month or quarter totals as it should.
  13. Fixed an issue with Bank and Credit Download where an “I/O Error 32” message was received when opening a CSV file for download when it is also opened in a spreadsheet program.  Now the program handles it more gracefully and a more user friendly message is given to the user.
  14. Improved the Bank and Credit download.  The “Credit equal” or “Debit equal” matching text inputs now accepts multiple text matches if separated by commas. 
  15. Improved the Bank and Credit download.  If negative amounts are detected for a transaction, a warning message is given to the user with options to continue or cancel.
  16. "Positive = Inc ..." and “Negative = Inc …” buttons on the Bank and Credit Account Import Setup screen are disabled if “Credit/Debit indicator in separate column” box is checked.
  17. Improved the Bank and Credit download setup.  When “Setup complete for this account” is checked in then Bank and Creditor Account Import Setup screen, setup items cannot edited (an information message to that effect is displayed if user tries to change anything).  When “Setup complete …” is unchecked, setup items can be changed.  If any setup changes are made, the program will require you to import a new posting file. (A warning message is displayed to that affect). 
  18. Fixed an issue with the Multi-year Balance Sheet where the month button not being checked as a default.  It was causing an “invalid date” error.
  19. The program now checks the version of prior year data, and will convert the prior year data to latest version when carrying a set of books over to a new year.
  20. Fixed a two decimal rounding issue with salaried employees.
  21. Added an option to ignore beginning and ending spaces in the imported columns in the Bank and Credit Download Setup.  This fixes a rare issue with some Bank/Credit import files. 
  22. Fixed an issue where new carried-over Assets and Liabilities were not being reporting if the carried over values were zero.  Carried-over assets and liabilities will also retain the same inventory number in the new year IF the inventory number has not already been used in the new year.
  23. Added the ability to specify an enterprise filter in the Daily Liability Report. 

Version 2.5.1

  1. Fix an issue of getting “Invalid Character. Field: Amount” error messages when bringing up transactions.
  2. Fixed some FinPack export issues.  Finpack code 810 defined and activated for new sets of books.  Clarified activation error message, so Finpack codes can be activated.  Fixed an issue with FinPack version text in export file.
  3. Fixed the ability to clear out phone number in Vendor list without getting an error.  Also fixed the same issue with phone # and SSN # for employees and Federal ID number in Payroll General Info (both regular and advanced Payroll).
  4. Fixed an issue with batch check printing where user could delete bank/credit account selection and then nothing prints.
  5. A change was made so that Invoice number on next line item defaults to the previous line item on Accounts Payable and on all transactions. 
  6. Added a feature where multiple items can be chosen for selection in Bank and Loan Import holding pen, by holding the shift key down and then clicking on the beginning and ending item for the range you want selected.
  7. Revised warning messages the user gets during a Multiple Restore operation when overwriting existings set(s) of books.  Fixed “Range check error” on Multiple Restore.
  8. Fixed the issue in Bank/Loan Statement download where a “$” attached to amounts was giving an error.
  9. Added filters for “skipped” and “posted” items on the Bank and Credit Import Holding Pen screen.  Added the ability to print out contents of the Holding Pen.
  10. Fixed an issue where an error was received after removing a set of books and then carrying over to a new set of books without closing the program first.

If any of these affect you and you want to update your program to the latest release (2.5.4) click on the following: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars 2.5

This is a file that updates or fixes your existing Pc Mars 2.5 program file. Just save the file to your desktop. Then run the update program (Pc Mars Update 2.5.4.0.exe) by double clicking on it. It will ask you for the location (folder) containing Pc Mars 2.5. This most likely will be in "PcmWinf". This folder you specify must contain Pc Mars 2.5 in order for the program to be updated.

 

For further information, E-Mail IFBA or E-Mail SoftShell.

 This page last updated on 2/28/2018