Since 1982: How Plus & Minus Software Corporation Redefined Accounting

By combining innovative technology with a customer-centric approach, the company provides businesses with the tools they need to thrive in today’s dynamic financial landscape.

Tim Mattingly and Tom Friedman founded Plus & Minus Software Corporation in Houston in 1982. They initially encountered significant frustration with traditional modular-based accounting systems. These systems proved inadequate for postings, reconciliations, and month-end closings, leading to inefficiencies and delays. The complexity of managing numerous database silos mirrored the challenges of tracking information using outdated classification methods. One evening, as they awaited a report, Tim and Tom, aka T&T, conceived an innovative approach: connecting the general account with the sub-account. This breakthrough marked the genesis of a unified file in a single format database that resolved their issues and formed the foundation of Plus & Minus.

Mr. Mattingly’s first audit was akin to stepping into a time capsule—a medium-sized international crane distributor meticulously kept manual books written in ink, reminiscent of Luca Pacioli’s accounting principles. It was not just bookkeeping; it was a testament to the artistry of financial management. The principles outlined in ‘Double Entry: How the Merchants of Venice Created Modern Finance’ by Jane Gleeson White were vividly alive within those records. Like Pacioli’s teachings, the company’s system faithfully adhered to double-entry, journals, general ledger, trial balance, subsidiary ledgers, detail ledgers, financial statements, and profit center income statements. This led to greater transparency and accountability for businesses to measure profit and loss, assess risks, and make informed decisions.

Plus & Minus began with a straightforward general ledger, which seemed relatively easy at first, considering it’s just one module that took many years of trial and error to achieve success, a feat made possible by our loyal customer base. Their invaluable feedback led to enhancements such as correcting misspelled words, implementing a “date blocker” feature to prevent entries in prior periods, and numerous other improvements that we now refer to as “human engineering.”

Digital Transformation

Plus & Minus embraced Artificial Intelligence early on, allowing for the integration of AI-driven improvements that significantly reduce programming costs. By utilizing APIs and AI, the need for extensive customization diminishes, thereby lowering associated expenses.

Report Features

Plus & Minus offers comprehensive reporting capabilities that provide insights into cash flow, accounts receivable, accounts payable, sales, and expenses. Its reporting system allows users to generate reports in over 888 formats and at various intervals. The Report Matrix feature leverages Excel for customized reporting, and the software’s ability to handle multicompany operations streamlines financial management across multiple entities.

New Workplace Dynamics

In 2009, Plus & Minus made significant strides by archiving its first PDF documents linked to purchase and sales orders. This technology now manages over 100,000 PDF documents and enables seamless remote work. The company’s early adoption of ACH and positive pay technologies in the 1990s positioned it at the forefront of industry trends.

How Plus & Minus Is Different

Tim & Tom’s decision to implement a transaction-based design eliminates postings and reduces processing disruptions. This design mitigates the main reason for application freezes caused by record contention. Partitioning the database by user eliminates all record contention and enhances application speed and data integrity.

Plus & Minus stands out as a groundbreaking accounting software solution that transforms traditional accounting processes into efficient, streamlined operations. By combining innovative technology with a customer-centric approach, the company provides businesses with the tools they need to thrive in today’s dynamic financial landscape.

Services Portfolio

Hosting: Plus & Minus provides versatile hosting options, including cloud, private server, and local hosting. Compatible with both Microsoft and Apple platforms, the software caters to a wide range of operational needs.

Support: Customers play a crucial role in shaping Plus & Minus, with their input driving the implementation of enhancements, modifications, and fixes. This customer-centric approach ensures that upgrades align with user needs.

Accounting: Plus & Minus’s U.S.-based service team comprises qualified accountants with degrees, many of whom pursue CPA licensure. These professionals undergo training in Houston and can work remotely across the country. The assignment of primary and secondary contacts for each customer fosters a personalized relationship built on trust and familiarity.

New & Upcoming Services

A customer relationship manager (CRM) is available in the Windows version of Plus & Minus, with a web version planned for mid-summer release. This feature allows users to create targeted campaigns based on company data with just a few clicks.

What Customers Say

Customers consistently praise Plus & Minus Accounting Software for its forgiving nature, ease of use, versatility, affordability, and reliability. The software runs efficiently throughout the day, ensuring no data loss and providing true real-time insights.

Customer input continues to shape the development of new features, with AI tools aiding the implementation of suggestions. However, Plus & Minus maintains a strict boundary around its core database structure, focusing on customized solutions only when necessary. The company also works with industry-specific customizers to tailor the platform to unique business requirements, supported by AI’s cost-saving benefits.

Tim Mattingly | Co-Founder & CEO

Tim Mattingly, a Certified Public Accountant, brings his extensive accounting, finance, and business management experience to Plus & Minus. His entrepreneurial spirit and vision drive the company’s innovation and growth, while his focus on customer satisfaction ensures that the software remains user-friendly and aligned with business needs.

Plus & Minus embraced Artificial Intelligence early on, allowing for the integration of AI-driven improvements that significantly reduce programming costs. By utilizing APIs and AI, the need for extensive customization diminishes, thereby lowering associated expenses.