Software, SaaS and Scripts for Accountants

[fxdreams]

Hi

I was wondering a few different things.

1) What software do accountants use the most, and recommend to clients? I want to come from the small practice angle?

2) I know Sage dominates, but do any use VT Software?

3) Do any accountants use a SaaS(Software as a service) applications, like accounts online.

4) Do many accountants have their own accounts entry on their website? ie, do many get clients to enter transactions online to save on data entry, and keep upto date?

5) If so, what scripts are accountants using, or are they bespoke?

Loads of questions, so thanks for any help.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

1) What software do accountants use the most, and recommend to clients? I want to come from the small practice angle?

The one best suited to the need of the client

2) I know Sage dominates, but do any use VT Software?

Yes along with others

3) Do any accountants use a SaaS(Software as a service) applications, like accounts online.

Yes - this is the 21st century

4) Do many accountants have their own accounts entry on their website? ie, do many get clients to enter transactions online to save on data entry, and keep upto date?

I do and clients do use it

5) If so, what scripts are accountants using, or are they bespoke?

Now that would be telling

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

1) What software do accountants use the most, and recommend to clients? I want to come from the small practice angle?

VT is very popular with many accountants for very good reason but you have a huge choice and need to recommend packages to suit each clients own requirements.

2) I know Sage dominates, but do any use VT Software?

I dont agree Sage dominates anymore - things have moved on in the past few years. Yes I use VT as well as a few other good packages including Solar Accounts and Accounts Portal

3) Do any accountants use a SaaS(Software as a service) applications, like accounts online.

Yes

4) Do many accountants have their own accounts entry on their website?

No its something I've chosen not to do.

 

[Philip Hoyle]

I was wondering a few different things.

1) What software do accountants use the most, and recommend to clients? I want to come from the small practice angle?

Depends on the clients' needs but usually one of VT, Kashflow, Freeagentcentral or Quickbooks

2) I know Sage dominates, but do any use VT Software?

Very few of my clients use Sage and we don't use it in house at all - Many firms use VT

3) Do any accountants use a SaaS(Software as a service) applications, like accounts online.

Yes, mostly Kashflow and Freeagentcentral

4) Do many accountants have their own accounts entry on their website? ie, do many get clients to enter transactions online to save on data entry, and keep upto date?

Never seen the need when there are so many packages out there already

5) If so, what scripts are accountants using, or are they bespoke?

N/a

Loads of questions, so thanks for any help.

 

[Williams lester]

1) What software do accountants use the most, and recommend to clients? I want to come from the small practice angle?

We use a variety of packages depending on the client.

2) I know Sage dominates, but do any use VT Software?

We now only have 3 clients left on Sage, and one of those will be moving after their year end. Never use VT.

3) Do any accountants use a SaaS(Software as a service) applications, like accounts online.

We use Accounts Portal, and often recommend it to clients (www.accountsportal.com)

4) Do many accountants have their own accounts entry on their website? ie, do many get clients to enter transactions online to save on data entry, and keep upto date?

For us, no need, as Accounts Portal gives us all the functionality we could possibly need at a very cost effective price.

 

[fxdreams]

Thanks for the reply, gives me loads to go on.

BUT

Can anyone give me a little info on why so many accountants use, prefer, recommend, etc, VT Software?

VT has come up the most, with AccountsPoral or Solar coming next?

Wondering what they are offering that puts them above the rest?

thanks again.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Can anyone give me a little info on why so many accountants use, prefer, recommend, etc, VT Software?

Try it and you'll see

It is so simple and easy to use - inputing data is quick, analysing income and expenditure is quick and easy, clients with limited knowledge find the free Cashbook version very easy to use, and its very competitively priced to buy the full versions.

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Can anyone give me a little info on why so many accountants use, prefer, recommend, etc, VT Software?

It's quick and easy to load onto the PC
Upgrades seem to load and work without problems
Seems capable of working on all current windows systems
Very quick data entry
Very simple to understand and use
Good range of reports
Does what it says on the tin!

Compare that with Sage and Quickbooks which are both absolute nightmares with the incompatibilities with different windows versions, always seem to bring out upgrades without proper testing that often cause more problems than they solve. Both are generally very high maintenance - both keen to stop supporting older versions.

Whenever I trial a new product, easy of loading the program, ease of learning the system and quickness of data entry are the key criteria. I'm more than happy to sacrifice some obscure "functionality" if the program loads/upgrades quickly without stress and does the job it's made for.

To me, that means VT for accounts, Moneysoft for payroll, taxcalc for tax returns. I wouldn't have Sage if they gave it to me.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

VT has come up the most, with AccountsPoral or Solar coming next?

Wondering what they are offering that puts them above the rest?

thanks again.

like most things in life - price