A feature of the package is simultaneous access to one set of data from multiple computers. "MoneyWorks Gold 5 has exceptionally fast networking for multi-user access", claimed company officials.

"We go further in that we allow users on both Mac and Windows to simultaneously access the same data — we are finding that increasingly businesses are running their accounts on a Mac in an attempt to protect them from viruses and other malware," said managing director Grant Cowie.

In comparison, MYOB recently dropped multi-user support from its AccountEdge product for Macs. "With the introduction of Mac OS X, the performance of AccountEdge in a multi-user environment has become unacceptable", a MYOB spokesperson told iTWire. "Therefore, MYOB has chosen to discontinue the multi-user capabilities in AccountEdge."

MoneyWorks Gold 5 also features extensive new report writing capabilities, provision for storing off-ledger data (such as staff numbers) for monitoring key performance indicators, a refreshed user interface and more powerful bank statement importing.

The $A895 (approximately $US616) product is ready for use in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Nepal, South Africa and the UK. Additional per-user licences are $A300 (approximately $US206) each.