There are about a dozen versions of BW,(2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021) without the SYSTEM data you may not be able to get into the data

the system data contains, users and passwords, security, custom reports and activation codes to the modules

Call Sage with the sad story of the audit.  Worse case you may have to find a consultant / accountant that is a Sage rep and has access to old versions or become one yourself.

Tom Bull-

Unfortunately, this is not a quick question with a quick resolution. You may not be able to get all your answers to this in this forum.  To be able to open or use files you have for the BusinessWorks program, you need to have a registered version of the program installed.  The data is only usable with the program.  Also, if you only have MDF files, these are very old files that we do not use with our current version.  MDF files would be from a very old version of the program V12 which was a DOS version (estimate to be at least 15+ years ago).  To complicate things, V12 data cannot be converted directly to our current version V2021 and has to convert to V2020 data, before it can be updated to the current V2021.

If you or the customer have an active support plan you can open a case with the technical support team to discuss what you need to do convert the data to be able to run reports.    To open a case for technical support, use this live chat link:  Live Chat   If you do not have the an active support plan, and no longer have access to the program or original install files, then you will need to purchase the program.  You also may want to consider working with a Sage Business Partner.   Please contact customer service using our live customer service chat link -  chat  - or contact them on 1-866-996-SAGE (7243).   They can discuss your support options or refer you to a Sage Business Partner.

Sincerely,

Coleen