Best bookkeeping software

[SJL Bookkeeping]

Hi

I've been asked numerous times if I will do books for friends, family e.t.c and seeing as I do it day in day out I've always declined. I've now decided to take the plunge and start doing it from home. I'm currently looking for a good bookkeeping software. I've used Sage before but it seems to be quite expensive. I've also been looking at quickbooks. I need something that can deal with vat, possibly payroll (but that's not a necessity) up to approx 10 clients initially, but also something which could grow with the business if I decided to take on more clients. Obviously the cheaper the better but I'd pay more for a better package!

Sorry if this has been asked numerous times before, but it is a minefield.

Thanks

Shelley

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Try www.vtsoftware.co.uk who do an excellent ledger based piece of software that's quick and easy to enter the transactions and also easy to make amendments. Has the usual sales and purchase ledgers, does bank reconciliations, etc. Only about £130 one off fee. Very good for "back office" number crunching. Multi company is standard at no extra cost.

 

[Freelancer87]

Check out Xero......

 

[Digital Ark]

I use accounts portal and for £8 + vat a month I find it great for running a business on the move. I especially like the fact you can set up invoices and they get mailed automatically so never miss billing a recurring payment.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hi

I've been asked numerous times if I will do books for friends, family e.t.c and seeing as I do it day in day out I've always declined. I've now decided to take the plunge and start doing it from home. I'm currently looking for a good bookkeeping software. I've used Sage before but it seems to be quite expensive. I've also been looking at quickbooks. I need something that can deal with vat, possibly payroll (but that's not a necessity) up to approx 10 clients initially, but also something which could grow with the business if I decided to take on more clients. Obviously the cheaper the better but I'd pay more for a better package!

Sorry if this has been asked numerous times before, but it is a minefield.

Thanks

Shelley

Hi Shelley

I'm with Philip on this one for in-house bookkeeping I think VT is hard to beat.

For payroll I highly recommend MoneySoft.

Do make sure you deal with your Money Laundering responsibilities.

 

[ILilja]

Accounting software is a bit of a jungle, but a lot of the systems in the market offer free trials, so if you are up for investing some time to compare different packages hands-on, that would definitely help you to make the right decision.

Very often it's your personal impression of interface, functionality and support that determines which one to go for - along with expenses, of course.

As a bookkeeper, you should look for the option to access your clients' accounts in the program.

I work at E-conomic and I'm here to help, if you are interested in an online solution.

 

[maxine]

There's some good choices out there. Sage, Xero, Quickbooks, Moneysoft, Kashflow,

but ... put yourself in your customers shoes for a minute and think or research what is likely to be popular with them

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

There's some good choices out there. Sage, Xero, Quickbooks, Moneysoft, Kashflow,

but ... put yourself in your customers shoes for a minute and think or research what is likely to be popular with them

It depends on the client but in my experience most small businesses that want someone to look after their bookkeeping simply want the bookkeeper/accountant to deal with everything. The added features of many of the super packages on the market arent therefore relevant which is why something like VT is fantastic as it is very cost effective and works very well for quick data entry.

 

[A5 Leaflets]

The useability and time saving features of both Kashflow and FreeAgent are highly recommended by myself.

We have used both over the years, and their API connects nicely to our ecommerce system, meaning it saves a lot of time bookeeping.

 

[Absolute_Advantage]

Since Sage appears to be the most widely used programme in UK businesses, isn't a bookkeeping service going to be more attractive if Sage is offered or not necessarily?

 

[David Griffiths]

It depends on how you approach it. If you are going to work at the client's premises, using their computers, it is more likely that the clients will want to install something that they've heard of, and that all too often means Sage. Of course in those circumstances you'd expect that they'd pay for it.

On the other hand if you are taking the records away to work at home, or use your own laptop on site, then the client isn't going to be much interested in what you do, as long as the VAT and other returns get done. Frankly, most of them don't give a toss. You'll have to convince the client's accountant that you can provide sufficient information for them to prepare the final accounts.

As far as I can make out, you are probably well advised to do as much as possible away from the client's premises, otherwise you run the risk of getting dragged in to do all sorts of things that aren't covered by the bookkeping remit (and will be unpaid) Things like opening post, manning the phones, making drinks - general secretarial work basically

To buy a package that can be used for a number of different clients ponts very strongly away from Sage. It's a separate licence for each company although there may be special package for bookkeepers.

Quickbooks and Solar Accounts will deal with multiple companies out of the box as I think will VT Transaction, but I've never used that

 

[SJL Bookkeeping]

Thanks for the replies I really appreciate it. I'm definitely looking into all of those and will be trialing them first. I like the look of VT. I assume this will also produce a P&L, and balance sheet e.t.c

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Thanks for the replies I really appreciate it. I'm definitely looking into all of those and will be trialing them first. I like the look of VT. I assume this will also produce a P&L, and balance sheet e.t.c

It does indeed, for in-house bookkeeping I think it takes some beating. I've used it for many years now.

Good luck

 

[Raging Bull]

Out of interest, what kind of monthly amount would a small business be expecting to pay for bookkeeping services?

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Out of interest, what kind of monthly amount would a small business be expecting to pay for bookkeeping services?

That will depend on many factors including the number of transactions to be entered, the type of transactions, whether VAT is involved etc.

Sometimes its a service accountants will offer at a discounted price as ensuring the bookkeeping is done properly enables them to complete the accounts and tax returns quicker and easier.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

You can check out HANDDY JOTBOOK for free. The software is quite flexible to manage all your accounts/books and with no accounting jargon. Nevertheless, your number of clients may be, you can keep up your accounting tasks in an easier way. Its pretty good to work on with the software.

Hi Abinajay purely out of interest is this a package which has been developed by the accountants you've recommended in another thread or just a package you've used. I had a quick look having not heard of it before and the websites look very similar.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I have got to use the software for months before and it seems quite good. The software was referred to be by one of my friends saying that it was developed by accountants. Also with the usage it feels flexible in recording the financial statements. Henceforth, I have suggested with the package.

Thanks Abinajay glad you like the package but if I was using it I'd certainly want to know more about the company.

 

[Stclears]

For a cost effective solution try Simply Accounts - easy to use and multi company/business modules.

 

[Angelic]

I asked about bookkeepping software on here a few months ago. I was recommended to use Quickfile (www.quickfile.co.uk), it's great, many operations can be automated and very intuitive, I heartily recommended it.

Oh, one other thing, it's FREE!!