Problems with choosing small business accounts software

[NCA]

I stupidly agreed to help a friend choose some accounts software. I have looked at a couple of online solutions and a couple of traditional packages. There are few fundamental requirements. It must have:

1. Multi Currency Support
2. Stock Control (with product grouping ability)
3. Sales Margin Reporting.

Now 1 and 2 seem fairly easy to satisfy. But number 3 appears to be missing. Its a very simple concept. The software needs to be able to report the gross profit margin per product and the gross margin per customer either as a value or percentage but preferably both.

This is a very basic requirement to help manage a business more effectively but seems to be lacking in the software I have looked at. Does anyone use a sub £500 system with this feature?

[KM-Tiger]

Take a look at TAS Books 2. I'm fairly sure it can do that.

I've actually used it for many years, but never in a business where that sort of report is needed, so have never used those features for real, just seen the options in menus and dialogs.

There are some other TAS users here who might enlighten you further.

[Philip Hoyle]

Have you tried quickbooks - I don't have a copy of this PC (home) but I'm fairly sure it will do that kind of report as long as the data has been entered in the right way. You'd need the pro version not the basic one, but that is still under £500 for multi-user and multi-currency and multi-company.

[CassioAcc]

Microsoft Accounting has a stock margin report, not sure it is on the express version, but it is on the professional.

[SmilePrint]

I've been using Businessware for a couple of years now, and thinks its fantastic, especially for me, a non-accountant.

It brilliant value, and doesn't ask for huge fees every year for updates, patches, etc etc.

I put your questions to the guys by email and got this reply within the hour, typical of the support I received over my use.


Businessware does not presently have multi-currency support although there is a Multi-Currency Bolt-On planned for later this year.

Businessware does include Stock Control with single-level product grouping (see... /stock .html)

There are reports available which include sales margin information at both the invoice and the stock levels. It would depend on specifically what your colleague required but fundamentally the answer is yes.

I would recommend your colleague take Businessware for a trial to ensure it meets their requirements which they can do at the link below :

www business-ware .co .uk /tryitnow.php



And just in case you're wondering there's no hidden affiliate codes for me to get a fee!!!

You'll be surprised at the price and the level of complexity!

Hope this helps

[JulianHobbs]

Please note that the 2008 version of QuickBooks is not multi-currency. For some reason, Intuit took that feature away in the 08 version. They say it will return for the 2009 version.

Julian Hobbs, Chartered Accountant,

[wise]

myob (or mamut) accounting plus should do it. Approx £340 + vat.

[NCA]

Thanks for the replies. I shall investigate the packages mentioned.