sage or use accountant

[whirly]

As i am new to business, should i attempt to use sage or similar or should i let an accountant deal with everything ?

:?:

[Pebble Communications]

Sage is a nightmare to use - even the pros generally find it a pain. My other half is an accountant and he uses a software called Quickbooks and can supply a simplified version for businesses to use for their everyday bookkeeping. It is quite easily available but make sure you look at the small business package as the full-on version will have lots of features you don't need.

If you want me to find out how much it would be to buy from him, PM me. I think he is able to offer it at a special rate.

Fiona Bailey
Pebble Communications

[annethedonn]

I use Sage Instant accounts and find it pretty straightforward. Ideal for SMEs/One man bands. My accountant recommends it too but each to their own as they say!

Anne

[Ian J]

What line of business are you in as it can make a difference.

If you have a large number of customers and product lines it may benefit you to get to grips with something like Sage but if your type of business has a low accounting workload it may be easier just to hand everything over to someone else to do.

[annethedonn]

Or us as we do book keeping on a virtual adhoc basis!

[creospace]

Depends if you're comparing an accountant to a herb and whether you are talking about money or cooking :)

[Alpha]

If you are new to business then you should at least get advice from an accountant to start you on the right track (Just look at other peoples answers to your vat questions to see why :D )

There are many ways that you can use to record books for example via spraedsheet, one of our members has a very simple to use system which is online called Kashflow (see banner on the right for details) or you can use a full blown accounting system (many of which have several versions differing in functionality and complexity)

The main thing you have to consider is whether you are comfortable doing the book keeping or even want to. If not then it would be advisable to get a book keeper to do it (Or if you get an accountant make sure that they charge a book keeping rate for doing that work not an accountants rate)

There are some good members on the forums who can supply the afformentioned services - as far as accountancy goes then try Joyous, for book keeping Nicola Cassidy seems well qualified. (I'm sure others may well throw their hat into the ring as well)

[DavidHorn]

The small-ish amount of money I pay an accountat each year makes itself back many times over in deductions that I wouldn't have thought of or even heard of. A good accountant (like a good lawyer, good plumber, good electrician, good builder, etc.) is worth their weight in gold.

If you're just starting up, at least sit down and chat with one. Many will offer a free introductory chat if you ask.

(I use an accountant in Portsmouth - even though I'm in Northern Ireland - if you'd like a recommendation)

[DuaneJackson]

Sage or use an accountant

Really, the asnwer is both. Maybe not Sage, but you shouold use something to do the books yourself so that you know exactly where you stand at any given point. Doing the books, ie recording everything, isn't that hard to do if you use something other than Sage.

You'd then use an accountant to do your end of year returns and to provide general advice.

As Alan says, it's worth having a chat with an accountant at this early stage to make sure you set off on the right track.

[Joyous]

Hi Whirly

I read in one of your other posts that you're starting up in a few month's time. This is therefore the ideal time to test drive as many accounting software packages as you can to see which one you prefer or even if you want to do the bookkeeping at all.

Although Sage is the market leader it can be pretty unforgiving if you make a mistake. Small business owners tend to find Quickbooks a lot easier to use. Kashflow (who's banner is on the right) has been getting really good reviews so it's worth giving it a test run. In addition some of the high street banks give free accounting software when you open a new business account. Lloyds TSB give a package called DO$H which is supposed to be really good.

The most important thing is that you're comfortable using the package and that you can get useful info out of it. If not then get yourself a bookkeeper or accountant.

Regards

Joy