Sage or Quickbooks?

[dollgerl]

I am undecided to know which software to use, I currently have an online very small ebay business which obviously uses a lot of transactions with paypal. Do any of these programs hook up with paypal?

also do you have to enter the information twice, for a bought item, if you import paypal information, do you also have to enter again in your sales section?

from the online trials I have done, Sage looks very comprehensive, help menus are great, but quickbooks looks even more user friendly
I find accounts portal quite confusing lol

[MyAccountantOnline]

I used to use Quickbooks extensively in the past but now use Accounts Portal and tend to recommend this to most clients looking for a complete accounting package, especially where they want to import data from bank accounts and PayPal.

The packages on the market have moved on considerably since Sage and QuickBooks were the only real choice.

Feedback I get from clients is very positive for Accounts Portal and clients I've had who have changed from both Sage and QuickBooks have, without exception, found it much quicker and easier to use but it doesn't suit all.

[MyAccountantOnline]

Which versions of QuickBooks and Sage are you looking at?

[dollgerl]

accounts portal does look very labour saving, I suppose it might be beneficial if I have more of a fiddle around in it, to get more used to it. I like the idea of having my acccounts online as in the past my computer has messed up more times than I have had hot dinners, not to mention all the virus's, and all that that I have lost. I don't use an accountant, I try to muddle through it best I can, which can be overwhelming sometimes, but I know as long as things balance at the end of the year, all is well. I cannot afford an accountant at this time, due to the fact I only have part time earnings, but am (as soon as my daughter starts pre-school) up the hours soon. I am using simplified accounts at the moment, but this was given to me by a friend to use in excel, which has served me well so far, totally simple spreadsheet, but would love something a bit more comprehensive and labour saving now

Sue

[dollgerl]

sage instant accounts, and quickbooks simplestart

[MyAccountantOnline]

accounts portal does look very labour saving, I suppose it might be beneficial if I have more of a fiddle around in it, to get more used to it. I like the idea of having my acccounts online as in the past my computer has messed up more times than I have had hot dinners, not to mention all the virus's, and all that that I have lost. I don't use an accountant, I try to muddle through it best I can, which can be overwhelming sometimes, but I know as long as things balance at the end of the year, all is well. I cannot afford an accountant at this time, due to the fact I only have part time earnings, but am (as soon as my daughter starts pre-school) up the hours soon. I am using simplified accounts at the moment, but this was given to me by a friend to use in excel, which has served me well so far, totally simple spreadsheet, but would love something a bit more comprehensive and labour saving now

Sue

Hi Sue

Quite understand:)

I would have another look at Accounts Portal - it's like anything does take some time to get used to. Certainly once mastered depending on the number of PayPal transactions you have it can be a huge time saving.

[MyAccountantOnline]

sage instant accounts, and quickbooks simplestart

I dont use Sage but believe it does have an import facility.

QuickBooks does now offer an online version but in fairness I havent used it so cant express an opinion.

Good luck with whichever you choose.

[dollgerl]

thank you Nicola!

[leigh delamere]

I've been pretty happy with QuickBooks for the past 12 years.


VAT Returns take a couple of minutes - hooks in directly to HMRC

Payroll all taken care of (separate subscription required though)

I could have kissed them when they introduced multi-currency, as i import from the USA and pay suppliers in Dollars, and have a US Dollar Bank Account

[raineshoe]

I've used Quickbooks for a long time and like it. I find it easy to get around especially when starting out. It is also very forgiving if you are a beginner.

I've also used Sage in the past and did struggle with it. Also it is not forgiving like Quickbooks. Having said that it probably makes you do things really properly in the accounts, but if you make an error its harder to sort out.

The only thing I find with Quickbooks is the import of stuff is limited depending upon what you want to do so I land up retyping all my sales receipts into it manually.

Our cart provider is actually producing an accounts sytem so now waiting on that to see what that brings, but otherwise would stick with Quickbooks.

[tijan]

While i am not in the accounting industry, a number of family members are and they use Sage.

[Jamthesun]

My accounts are pretty straightforward - I use a spreadsheet! I have many friends in business using Sage. They like it but you do have to invest the time to work out how best to use it. I guess the same goes for any software.