Kashflow or Solar Accounts...or....

[beadell]

Which would you recommend for retail....ie just cash sales.

Oh...and I am a complete numpty with this sort of stuff so has to be "fairly" idiot proof

[Network Yorkshire]

I also am a numpty so went with Kashflow and I love it!

[AlanR]

I'm not a numpty ;) and went with Solar Accounts which i would recommend. Although i have never used Kashflow or have any problems with Kashflow, i just prefer to have all data 'local'.

[Fernhurst Solutions Ltd]

Which would you recommend for retail....ie just cash sales.

Oh...and I am a complete numpty with this sort of stuff so has to be "fairly" idiot proof

If you decide to go with Solar Accounts, we are an official reseller and can offer a 10% on the RRP. See the 'software' tab in my signature for more details.

:D

[dp0848]

As with everything in life there are pros and cons to both products.

As I see it the advantages of KashFlow are the ability to access your accounts from anywhere you can get to an internet connection, Duane and his team are constantly updating and improving the software, it is easy to use, comprehensive support. The disadvantages are that it is expensive at £15 (I think) per month, the data is not held on your machine an therefore if KashFlow went bust (do remember it is only a small company) your data would be lost and inaccessible, it has so many features that you are paying for stuff you may never use.

Moving on to Solar Accounts I need to declare an interest. Like Andy we are also resellers of Solar but unlike Andy we are able to offer people purchasing the software via us a 20% discount on the RRP - double what Andy can offer - plus we will also set the system up for you free of charge. If you are interested in Solar and the 20% Discount then please PM me rather than clicking through the link in my signature.

The advantages I think are its price (a one off £99 plus VAT RRP or £79.20 + VAT when purchased via us), it is extremely easy to use, it has all the functionality that most businesses will ever need, the data is stored locally and is therefore under your control and not that of a third party, Mark from Solar provides excellent support. The disadvantages are that you have to pay for updates (but then there is a question mark over whether you need any new features that are being added as the basics are already there and are very good), you need to remember to back up your data, it is only accessible from the machine / network on which the data file is held.

I'm now using Solar everyday and I love it. For the money it is a top notch bit of software and I recommend it to all our clients.

David.

[beadell]

Cheers everyone.....have to admit I have had a play with both now and my initial reaction is that Solar is the one to go for....

I instantly got what I was supposed to be doing so its nice and easy for numpties.

Could I persuade the pair of you into a bidding war ;):rolleyes:

[lesliedocherty]

I take it solar is not mac compatible ??

Also, what price are the updates ?

[beadell]

Oh...and dont know if the pair of you are aware but you can get the discount by visiting the site itself and your code does not appear in the url.

Not sure if thats effects the way you get commission or not?? Just though Id point it out

http://www.solaraccounts.co.uk/purchase.php

[DFL]

Morning David

You mention that Mark provides excellent support - is it just him or are there others for when he isnt around? What is the reporting functions like and does it deal with the flat rate scheme? Is there a free trial available?

I personally really rate KashFlow and think it is a great solution to small businesses - always like to see what else is out there though so wouldnt mind having a play around with Solar if it is as good as you say.

Disagree re price with KashFlow, I think that £15 per month is excellent value for an average business that uses it properly.

Finally the real benefit of using an online system is the ease of data sharing between client and accountant giving opportunities for much more pro active advice and planning.

[dp0848]

You are correct Leslie, Solar is not Mac compatible, though it does run perfectly with Parallels (I run it on my on Mac this way). I'm not sure on the update costs (I've got all the details in the office but I can't remember off the top of my head and I'm on hols until Thursday) but I'm sure Mark will be along at some point to let us know.

David.

[beadell]

I can answer two of those for you ...yes it does handle flat rate vat and you can download the 60 day trial here...

http://www.solaraccounts.co.uk/download.php

[dp0848]

Hello Jason,

Yes there is a free trial period (60 days).

I believe Mark has a number of staff providing support. If I have a question I get an email response very quickly - even on a Sunday morning.

All the basic reports are there (P&L, BS, aged debtors & aged creditors, VAT return, TB etc.).

It has a specific VAT flat rate function.

Download the trial and have a play Jason. For one man bands and very small businesses it really is spot on.

I think Kashflow is expensive if you are not using all the features and do not need the updates e.g. you use basic sales & purchase ledgers, VAT, nominal ledger etc Over say a five year period Solar will cost you £99 where as KashFlow will cost £900.

You make a good point on the data sharing, especially the ability of the accountant to go in and have a look around. That is very useful.

David.

[dp0848]

Oh...and dont know if the pair of you are aware but you can get the discount by visiting the site itself and your code does not appear in the url.

Not sure if thats effects the way you get commission or not?? Just though Id point it out

http://www.solaraccounts.co.uk/purchase.php

That link takes you to Andy's reseller page.

David.

[beadell]

That link takes you to Andy's reseller page.

David.


Ah...but it doesnt. I am seeing your name there. I have cleared my cache etc I it still shows you....Last night it was showing Andys and first thing this morning it was the "normal" one at £99. So something is not working properly. Just thought Id point it out for you.

Anyway...you say you will set the system up for free...what exactly does this mean. Bit confused as its all local :|

[dp0848]

Ah...but it doesnt. I am seeing your name there. I have cleared my cache etc I it still shows you....Last night it was showing Andys and first thing this morning it was the "normal" one at £99. So something is not working properly. Just thought Id point it out for you.

Anyway...you say you will set the system up for free...what exactly does this mean. Bit confused as its all local :|

Umm, interesting. I've just clicked on the link from your post again and it went straight to Andy's page. I'll have a word with Mark.

We'll set up the chart of accounts for you, email you over the file, and then get you started over the hone on the basics of using the software.

Regards.

David.

[Carl-CSNM]

As I see it the advantages of KashFlow are the ability to access your accounts from anywhere you can get to an internet connection, Duane and his team are constantly updating and improving the software, it is easy to use, comprehensive support. The disadvantages are that it is expensive at £15 (I think) per month, the data is not held on your machine an therefore if KashFlow went bust (do remember it is only a small company) your data would be lost and inaccessible, it has so many features that you are paying for stuff you may never use.


Not true, you can backup your data inside Kashflow to your local machine and schedule it to email you regular backups.

The same could be said about any software really, what if Solar went bust and stopped releasing updates - what would happen if the government changed the way VAT and other stuff worked?

IMO £15 a month for someone running a professional business is not expensive, with Kashflow you get the API which means you can automate most of your bookkeeping, very handy for people running busy ecommerce websites and you can automatically import PayPal transactions. KF also have 24/7 support, 7 days a week (I think).

[markmclaren]

To answer a few questions about Solar Accounts:

Ah...but it doesnt. I am seeing your name there. I have cleared my cache etc I it still shows you....Last night it was showing Andys and first thing this morning it was the "normal" one at £99. So something is not working properly. Just thought Id point it out for you.
The price and partner name on the purchase page depends on whose offer link you last clicked on [Thanks You David and Andrew!]. If you clear your cookie cache it will revert to the usual price (£99).

is it just him or are there others for when he isnt around? What is the reporting functions like and does it deal with the flat rate scheme? Is there a free trial available?
I'm first level support, but when I'm not around one of our other developers will handle your support queries.

The reporting functions include the basics: Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet and Trial Balance. It also offers a VAT Detail report and a few customer/invoice reports.

Yes it handles the flat rate scheme - click here (http://www.solaraccounts.co.uk/help/notes-on-the-flat-rate-scheme-for-vat.php) for details.

And yes, the free 60-day trial is available here (http://www.solaraccounts.co.uk/download.php).

What if Solar went bust and stopped releasing updates - what would happen if the government changed the way VAT and other stuff worked?Solar Accounts can cope with VAT rate changes without needing an update - see here (http://www.solaraccounts.co.uk/help/how-to-change-default-vat-rate.php). More complicated changes are much less common so it may be many years before the current version of Solar Accounts becomes out of date.

Cheers

Mark