Accounting Software for Mac

[citycm]

For the past two years, we have been using VT Cashbook for our accounts. We have billing software on our website that we use for invoicing, etc, so the accounts has just been literally recording income and outgoings. However, we are looking to move to using Macs (I already use a Macbook Pro myself) so would like to find some suitable accounting software for the Mac.

Can anyone please offer any recommendations?

 

[citycm]

Further to the post above, I have looked at Solar Accounts but it's too expensive for me.

 

[Lancelot]

I've been recommended Accounts Portal (www.accountsportal.com). At £8 per month isn't expensive at all. I tried it today (from an accountant point of view) and gave it green light.

 

[citycm]

I've been recommended Accounts Portal (www.accountsportal.com). At £8 per month isn't expensive at all. I tried it today (from an accountant point of view) and gave it green light.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not really looking for an online solution to be honest. I would much prefer an actual software package

 

[David Griffiths]

IIRC Solar costs about £90. If that's too expensive then you are going to be really struggling. What kind of business can't afford £90 for one of the key business processes?

 

[citycm]

IIRC Solar costs about £90. If that's too expensive then you are going to be really struggling. What kind of business can't afford £90 for one of the key business processes?

Solar actually cost £124 + VAT so yes it's quite expensive considering I don't need half of what it does. Dont get me wrong, I'm happy to pay for something if I feel it's worth it (our billing software for example was in the region of £150).

 

[Lancelot]

I don't want to be rude or anything but have you considered the good old Excel? If you have thee books - Sales, Purchases and Cash and with some formulae between them, you can do a lot.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not really looking for an online solution to be honest. I would much prefer an actual software package

I used to feel the same but why not take a look at an online solution?

You can get a free trial with most of them.

Accounts Portal is the package my firm uses and which an increasing number of our clients are using - it costs £5 per month plus VAT for our clients.

Online packages have many advantages - access from anywhere with internet access, automatic updates, no need to worry about back-ups/data loss etc.

 

[citycm]

I used to feel the same but why not take a look at an online solution?

You can get a free trial with most of them.

Accounts Portal is the package my firm uses and which an increasing number of our clients are using - it costs £5 per month plus VAT for our clients.

Online packages have many advantages - access from anywhere with internet access, automatic updates, no need to worry about back-ups/data loss etc.

But what about security, the risk of getting hacked, what if I need access without the Internet? Not really sure to be honest.

 

[wizzard]

But what about security, the risk of getting hacked, what if I need access without the Internet? Not really sure to be honest.

For a start any online solution would be protected by SSL and encryption.

Why don't you ask the online providers what would happen in the case of you having to work offline, without just dismissing it out of hand?

 

[gavcooper]

As wizzard states, don't dismiss a online solution without further investigation. These companies take security very seriously, because they have to. Most use the same 256 bit SSL encryption as banks to protect your data. Backing up your data continuously, with data export options available to the user.

Take the a couple of online solutions for a free trial, their software is so much easier to use than any desktop application I have found on OSX. As a Mac user I use FreeAgent because its a UK based company, the UI looks good and is easy to use, plus it does everything I need from an accounting solution.

Discount codes/links will reduce the ongoing monthly costs and providing referrals can make FreeAgent totally free to use.

 

[Lancelot]

The fact that your data is stored somewhere else is a concern to me too. I am less bothered of the security, a hacker can easily break your home machine if it is connected to internet but what if the supplier goes out of business? I would be pretty nervous if I wouldn't have a back up of data on a USB stick or CD sitting on my desk.

 

[Davek0974]

Unless you need global access to your data, why consider online solutions, there are very few benefits.

I run apples and am very satisfied with my mac mini running parallels software and Adminsoft Accounts package, this is free and excellent software.

Parallels gives me the best of both worlds-mac for serious stuff and windows xp for the accounts alone, there are very few cost effective mac accounts options out there.

 

[citycm]

thanks for all the posts so far guys.

I must agree with DaveK0974 though. I don't need access to accounts away from the office but as I carry my laptop everywhere, I'd much rather have the accounts on there.

I've always been a believer in not being able to say you don't like something til you've tried it so I will give a couple of online solutions a trial but I'm still to be convinced.

I guess my biggest issue is I'd rather pay a lump sum for the software rather than £8-£15 per month for an online solution.

 

[gavcooper]

thanks for all the posts so far guys.

I must agree with DaveK0974 though. I don't need access to accounts away from the office but as I carry my laptop everywhere, I'd much rather have the accounts on there.

I've always been a believer in not being able to say you don't like something til you've tried it so I will give a couple of online solutions a trial but I'm still to be convinced.

I guess my biggest issue is I'd rather pay a lump sum for the software rather than £8-£15 per month for an online solution.

You maybe surprised how much easier it is to have all your accounts and business receipts at your fingertips. Using an online accounts system also means no more trips to the accountants with folders/boxes of invoices and receipts. These are all be stored in the accounts system and you just need to give your accountant login access. That meant I was no longer restricted to just using local accountants.

 

[citycm]

You maybe surprised how much easier it is to have all your accounts and business receipts at your fingertips. Using an online accounts system also means no more trips to the accountants with folders/boxes of invoices and receipts. These are all be stored in the accounts system and you just need to give your accountant login access. That meant I was no longer restricted to just using local accountants.

Thanks. I'm giving Accounts Portal a try now. As I said, my biggest issue is the cost. We're only a small company so where £90 might've been acceptable for a software package that we'll then 'own', upto £15/m for an online solution is more than we can realistically afford.

 

[Davek0974]

Adminsoft is free and my accountant reckons its brilliant. It even handles paypal properly

 

[wizzard]

Thanks. I'm giving Accounts Portal a try now. As I said, my biggest issue is the cost. We're only a small company so where £90 might've been acceptable for a software package that we'll then 'own', upto £15/m for an online solution is more than we can realistically afford.

However you have to take into consideration what happens when your offline software becomes obsolete and no longer supported? You may end up having to pay out £90 or so again, just to have the latest version.

Always think about the long term, not just whats happening in the short term.

At least with an online version you know you are always going to be using the latest version and you'll always be supported.

 

[citycm]

However you have to take into consideration what happens when your offline software becomes obsolete and no longer supported? You may end up having to pay out £90 or so again, just to have the latest version.

Always think about the long term, not just whats happening in the short term.

There's no real reason to always have the latest version though. One could upgrade every couple of years at most and it would still cost less than online versions.

At least with an online version you know you are always going to be using the latest version and you'll always be supported.

What about if the online provider goes bust? Then what happens? I genuinely fail to see why people put so much faith in these online accounts packages.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

There's no real reason to always have the latest version though. One could upgrade every couple of years at most and it would still cost less than online versions.

Its fine until you get changes like VAT rate changes etc and sometimes some suppliers will only support certain versions which can be a problem if you dont update and then need support. I've seen that happen to many people over the years.

What about if the online provider goes bust? Then what happens? I genuinely fail to see why people put so much faith in these online accounts packages.

A fair point but thats not unique to online packages - all data can easily be downloaded should you wish to change or need to change supplier.

 

[citycm]

Has anyone else got any recommendations for any non-online based Mac software packages?

 

[Davek0974]

You wont find many, i have spent hours searching. That is why i went for Parallells on OSx running XP, then i could choose from any pc package but still only have the one computer on my desk.

 

[citycm]

You wont find many, i have spent hours searching. That is why i went for Parallells on OSx running XP, then i could choose from any pc package but still only have the one computer on my desk.

Yeah, looks like that's what I'll end up doing.

 

[beacon4business]

Well sell accountingedge


iCal Integration for events and reminders
Mobile Me integration for backing up to iDisk
Apple Address Book synchronisation
Budgeting
Combine Cards and Combine Accounts
Seven years of transaction history
Check your data with Company Data Auditor
Use the Setup Assistant for initial configuration
Record cash and bank transactions
Track and report on VAT
Customise the layout and appearance of invoices
Enter sales invoices, see who owes you money, how much and due dates
Measure your profitability
Use contact details to help manage customer and supplier relationships
Advanced Job Tracking
Email invoices and other forms
Produce customised reports, including Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss
Manage accounts for different companies
Send data to Microsoft® Word for individual letters or personalised mailshots
Send reports to Microsoft® Excel for analysis
Business Insights analysis
Track profitability and margin by invoice
Task Drawer holds your most common tasks and reports
Enter purchases, see who you owe money to, how much and when it's due
Track sales orders and back orders
Purchase, track, control and sell stock
Item Kits (item made up of other items)
Free Google AdWords voucher for the value of £40

New in Mamut Account Edge 2011

• Integrated AccountEdge Mobile App (iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch)
• Enstore add on for Online Sales*
• Progress Billing
• Create an Invoice from a Purchase
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• Improved Graphics Handling on Forms
• Improved PDF Generations and print preview
• Read-Only File Setting
• Expanded Notes and Description fields
• Updated Spend Money and Pay Bills Window
• Enhanced Search Fields (Look For/Search by)
• Outlook 2011 Support and Office 2011 Compatible

£149

 

[Davek0974]

Being forced to change packages recently, the package I am running now (Adminsoft accounts) is free for life, no authorisation required and does just about every task needed to run a smallish business including payroll and vat.

support is fast and personal, I have even had program updates specifically instigated on input I have made. There is also a support forum.

 

[globes]

I would like to recommend you to go with online software packages, as there will be no issues like: information being stolen, theft or damage by hackers.

 

[aamarotico]

What about if the online provider goes bust? Then what happens? I genuinely fail to see why people put so much faith in these online accounts packages.

Hello citycm,

I can understand from the conversation above that you are very hesitant about online accounting software. It's understandable to feel this way initially - but there are so many benefits that can outweigh any concerns.

You've mentioned two possible cons: security and the possibility of the online provider going out of business. As has been explained before above, security is a non issue if you choose a reputable and established online accounting software company. And while you're choosing such a company, you'll find that their chance of "going bust" is also very, very slim.

The E-conomic company for example has been in business since 2001, and in the last two years we have more than doubled our number of customers. 10 years ago, online accounting software was brand new and unknown, but now many people are increasingly converting from offline systems due to the flexibility, the ease and the freedom of online solutions. With more than 90 employees supporting customers in 9 countries, trust me - we're not going anywhere!

If the monthly costs are holding you back (E-conomic is 12.99 a month), then there are a number of free online solutions - with far less functionality of course - that are just as safe and secure. Look through the free accounting software forums here on UKBF and see what people have to say.

I am writing this post because I want to let you know that your fears have been heard, and no decent online accounting provider will allow them to become reality. And since it's so difficult to find an offline accounting system for a Mac, online accounting is an option that you should definitely consider - and may even love!!

No matter what, good luck finding the right solution for you and your company!

All the best,

Alexandra Amarotico
E-conomic UK
e-conomic.co.uk
Dukesbridge House
23 Duke Street
Reading
Berkshire RG1 4SA
United Kingdom

 

[mackdollar]

You should go with online package software as they have lots of advantages like access from anywhere, automatic updates, no need to worry about back-ups and data loss etc.

 

[Software_Index]

Hi citycm,

You can compare & read user reviews on some recommended accounting software here,

bestsoftwareindex.com/category/best-accounting-software/