endorsedCompleted

MVP for Tax Business Intelligence Automation Software

Services Covered:

Custom Software Development • UI/UX Design • API Development • Software QA and Testing

Industry

Business Consulting & Services

Duration

5 months

Budget

50K - 199K

Start Date

1 November 2017

Team Size

1-5 Employees

Engagement Model

Offshore

Project Capability Score (PCS)

69/100

Good

Project Capability Score (PCS) estimates how capable DICEUS is of successfully delivering a project like this, based on its past experience, track record, and ability to handle similar work. Learn more about PCS

Client

Transactional Business Intelligence

Sydney, Australia

Project Summary

Diceus developed an MVP MEAN-stack financial application to help a Sydney-based startup connect cloud accounting platforms (like Xero and QuickBooks) to surface tax obligations and analytics for small-scale accountants and bookkeepers. They implemented frontend and backend code, conceptualized UI/visuals, integrated APIs to pull accounting data and built automated tests. The client praised the visuals and proactive project management, though communication and certain API integrations required extra attention.

Key Challenges

The client had no in-house coding expertise and needed a partner to build an MVP
The app needed to connect to online accounting platforms via API (e.g., Xero) to pull transactional data
The client wanted to move from a legacy SQL stack to a modern online SaaS (MEAN) architecture
Difficulties integrating with Xero's API and getting tax calculations correct; issues with large-scale test data and initial communication gaps

Project Deliverables

MVP web-based SaaS tax business-intelligence application
Frontend and backend code built on a MEAN stack
Integrations with online accounting platforms (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks) via API
Data analytics, calculations and visualizations/dashboard
Automated testing suite for error detection and validation

Project Solution

Diceus wrote the frontend and backend code, performed UI/design work and built analytics, calculations and visualizations to present tax obligations and trends. They implemented automated tests to detect errors, migrated the concept from a legacy SQL-based tool to a modern online SaaS using a MEAN stack, and integrated the application with online accounting platforms via APIs. The engagement included a project manager (who also served as business analyst and QA lead), two dedicated developers, and periodic designer involvement.

Project Outcome

The look and feel of the solution exceeded the client's expectations and matched their needs
Communication and project management improved over the engagement, moving to more fluid, rolling development with updates every two to three days
The vendor's project manager developed domain knowledge (accounting/tax) and was highly praised for his initiative

Platforms

SaaS

Tech Stack

MongoDB
Express.js
Angular
Node.js

Client Endorsement

Overall Review Rating

4.5

Timeliness

Cost Rating

Willing to Refer

Quality of Deliverables

“They exceeded expectations and created strong visuals. Their project manager took extra steps to understand the domain and was very proactive. Communication improved over the course of the engagement and fared better in a more agile environment.”
Sam Moore
Co-founder
Date: 04/10/2018