Recommend a Cloud Provider for Me Please?

[Sparrow]

Ive looked across various threads on cloud software and it seems the most common response is post up your needs and you'll get the best reply.

Im trying to sort out the back office stuff for a friend who has a small business doing landscape works.

Employs four staff members.
Pays VAT.
99% of invoices are paid via BACS.
Regular and steady customer base.

Wants the following from software:
1. Simple interface (he's not too technical, after setup, the simpler the better)
2. Invoicing (core requirement)
3. Cash flow
4. Some undefined reporting
5. Estimates (not a must have)
6. Payroll (would like)
7. HMRC reporting
8. 1 or 2 users

Any xoee questions i've not answered?

Ant help appreciated!

 

[kevin.doran]

Google then hit a few trials, they'll all pretty much do what you're after.

I'm a Clear Books Partner but the likes of Xero, Kashflow & Accounts Portal are probably all worth a look.

 

[Sparrow]

Thanks Kevin. That's what I'd done, but most comparisons seems to be a couple of years old. Then I thought to search and post on here.

QuickBooks in the same bracket? Seems a little better financially in the short term, especially for payroll integration.

Any idea on user interfaces - is one particularly simpler?

 

[businessfunding]

I'm not an accountant, but we offer a specific product just for Xero users.

This is because it is such a straight-forward system to use

 

[Philip Hoyle]

If you were a client of ours, we'd be suggesting that you trialled Kashflow and Quickbooks. Kashflow for ease of use, but reporting a little lacking. Quickbooks for excellent reporting but slightly harder to use (still no problem with a bit of training and support set up which you'd also need for Kashflow anyway). But most of the names posted up on here so far will do the job, a lot is down to how you like the look and feel of the system.

 

[kevin.doran]

Thanks Kevin. That's what I'd done, but most comparisons seems to be a couple of years old. Then I thought to search and post on here.

QuickBooks in the same bracket? Seems a little better financially in the short term, especially for payroll integration.

Any idea on user interfaces - is one particularly simpler?

I wouldn't really bother with reviews. Just sign up to a few free trials, see what's what and get a general feel for them. Ultimately only you'll know which you're most comfortable with.

As a side note, if you have an accountant it may be worth speaking with them first before making the jump.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I wouldn't really bother with reviews. Just sign up to a few free trials, see what's what and get a general feel for them. Ultimately only you'll know which you're most comfortable with.

As a side note, if you have an accountant it may be worth speaking with them first before making the jump.

I'll second that.

My personal preference is Accounts Portal but at the end of the day most decent systems are pretty much the same.

 

[Sparrow]

Thank you. Seems fair feedback!