Setting up Sage instant accounts plus

[DannoS]

Hi all,

I run a small business with a small turnover. I have an accountant, but i'm finding him rather expensive. The business is 1 yr old and I'd rather start the book keeping myself to a) keep accounting costs down b) be a bit more in control and organised. I've purchased Sage Instant Accounts Plus and Instant Payroll. I've never done book keeping before and quite frankly find the whole thing is mind boggling. What's the best way to go about it? Can I simply just start inputting my past customer invoices and supplier invoices to get the opening balance to move forward? Also how do I mention the directors loans in Sage?

Someone please point me in the right direction!

 

[Williams lester]

If you have no experience of bookkeeping, you may struggle with Sage, it is better suited to more experienced users.

You may be better off finding a less expensive accountant who will use an online accounting system, so you can view how the accounts look whilst letting your accountant do the processing for you.

Take a look at our website to see the sort of prices you can expect to pay for this kind of service.

 

[mung]

if you are looking something that is easy to use I would suggest an online system such as contraccounts or accountsportal, they are two great packages that are good value for money, easy to use, and provide you with the calculations you require

 

[integreatmedia]

I've never found Sage to be as user-friendly as the advertising indicates.

Personally I use FreeAgent Central: www.freeagentcentral.com

Very straight forward and intuitive to use and loads of great features - definitely a rival to Sage's products. Support is excellent, really helpful and prompt. It almost makes doing accounts fun (almost!)

If you do decide to take a look there is a 30-day free trial and if you use this code you will get 10% off when you sign-up: 36kf3l16

 

[semsley]

The OP has already purchased Sage so recommending things s/he could have used instead is not very helpful.

DannoS, it depends on when in your accounting cycle you are starting to use your sage. If it is the beginning of your financial year, you could get the opening balances from your accountant and input them following the instructions in the Sage handbook. Make new nominal codes in the 3000 range for your director loan accounts.

WRT payroll, how have you done this in the past? You will need to input the totals from the beginning of the new tax year to your last payroll for each employee. By the way Instant Payroll has a limit of 10 employees (this includes leavers).

I'm sure Weebly One will be along soon and will offer you training, you might find this useful.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hi all,

I run a small business with a small turnover. I have an accountant, but i'm finding him rather expensive. The business is 1 yr old and I'd rather start the book keeping myself to a) keep accounting costs down b) be a bit more in control and organised. I've purchased Sage Instant Accounts Plus and Instant Payroll. I've never done book keeping before and quite frankly find the whole thing is mind boggling. What's the best way to go about it? Can I simply just start inputting my past customer invoices and supplier invoices to get the opening balance to move forward? Also how do I mention the directors loans in Sage?

Someone please point me in the right direction!

Hi Danno

It might be worthwhile asking your accountant to see if they can support/help you. Ideally he/she will be keen to work with you to reduce your fees.

I must say (with all due respect) Sage isnt, in my opinion, one of the easiest packages for someone with no experience to work with.

If you want to do your own bookkeeping it might, again, be worth having a chat with your accountant to see if he/she can recommend something a little more user friendly.

You mention payroll to be honest I'd be really surprised if you pay your accountant much more for payroll than it costs to buy the annual payroll software unless you have a huge number of weekly paid staff.

 

[weebly_one]

I can offer you remote training on Sage Instant Accounts and Payroll - first half hour free if you want to give me a call - send me a message if you are interested.

Sage works great if you get a bit of guidance at the start to make the most of it.

 

[weebly_one]

The OP has already purchased Sage so recommending things s/he could have used instead is not very helpful.

DannoS, it depends on when in your accounting cycle you are starting to use your sage. If it is the beginning of your financial year, you could get the opening balances from your accountant and input them following the instructions in the Sage handbook. Make new nominal codes in the 3000 range for your director loan accounts.

WRT payroll, how have you done this in the past? You will need to input the totals from the beginning of the new tax year to your last payroll for each employee. By the way Instant Payroll has a limit of 10 employees (this includes leavers).

I'm sure Weebly One will be along soon and will offer you training, you might find this useful.

Am I really that predicatable? Lol !

I would make the directors loan account a bank accuont in the 1200's range (normally 1260 with my clients) - makes it much easier to manage.