What Accounting Software

[Decalz]

I use quickbooks atm but to be honest its a bit to hectic for my needs. Im looking for a simple software solution, in/out and the usual basic features without the learning curve and complexitoes of other packages Ive tried.

Any suggestions??

 

[Short Time Stationery]

<<<<<<<<<<< Click on the Kashflow advert, get a free trial to see if it suits you too.

 

[Decalz]

Pref a non-online based program....

 

[Alpha]

Pref a non-online based program....

Why?

And what are the 'usual' vasic features that you are looking for?

Which version of quickbooks do you currently use?

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Are you using your accounting software to actually help run your business, i.e. create sales invoices, send out customer statements, control stocks, etc. If so, then Quickbooks is probably the best of breed.

But if you already have other systems in place for that and just want something to do your basic book-keeping (i.e. recording of transactions) then go for VT Cash book (www.vtsoftware.co.uk) which is free and will do exactly what you need - i.e. an electronic cash book.

To be honest, Quickbooks isn't really any more complicated than any other package - you just have to learn to ignore the bits you don't need. Did you get any training and have you looked at the demo companies? Whatever accounting software you use, you have to learn how to use it which means spending time with the manual or online help. The main barrier to any system are the basics, i.e. how and why to reconcile the bank account, how to prove the control accounts, a basic understanding of what the P&L account is and the difference between P&L and BSheet. When you have learned one system, you can use them all, because at the end of the day, they all do the same thing, which is record the "when", "who" "how much" and "what for" for each transaction.

 

[Decalz]

I am pretty good with quickbooks but im looking for as you said, an electronic cashbook, its just to keep a basic eye on things for now..

 

[DuaneJackson]

From speaking to LOTS of businesses and accountants about software, VT does seems to be one of the simplet offline solutions. Take it for a spin and see how you get on.

 

[David Howard]

Speak to you on email

 

[betterlanguages]

Prefer to throw a brick at the computer, had loads of trouble with Sage, and in the end chose an accountant who can work with good old fashioned paper. What a relief.

Regards

Mike

 

[David Howard]

Prefer to throw a brick at the computer, had loads of trouble with Sage, and in the end chose an accountant who can work with good old fashioned paper. What a relief.

Regards

Mike

What was your problem with Sage Mike? I know their support could be a knightmare sometimes!

 

[betterlanguages]

What was your problem with Sage Mike? I know their support could be a knightmare sometimes!

Very complicated to learn to use, and a pain trying to rectify mistakes. I can see the benefit for a business which can employ someone who knows how to use it. Didn't have the necessary time or patience myself.

Regards

Mike

 

[DuaneJackson]

Very complicated to learn to use, and a pain trying to rectify mistakes.

I hate to sound like an advert - but it's exactly because of those reasons that we created KashFlow. Ask anyone here that had tried Sage and then tried KashFlow how they compare. You'll get a glowing report, I'm sure!

 

[tf-technical]

If you are looking for somthing quite basic then have a look at InstantAdmin.

It is nice and simple to use and get the hang of.

 

[pws]

I'm currently looking at GNUCash. I personally also don't like the idea of a web service for my business book-keeping.

 

[betterlanguages]

Good old fashioned paper works for me. I just use Sage for clculating the VAT, even for such a basic function its worth having. One day I'll either be able to afford the time to go on a course, or I'll employ someone who knows how to use it.

Not convinced about buying more software.

Regards

Mike

 

[EDS]

Another plus for online accounting systems is that you can easily get support from you accountant, if you are having problems or just need advice just give them a call and some login details and they can see the problem live for themselves and sort it out straight away or offer advice in realtime.

Regards
Michael.

 

[David Howard]

Mike,

I think Sage is good once you get the hang of it. There are various systems out there and you just need to find which one is best for you.

Sage software courses are often not needed though. In some instances they seem to overcomplicate the transaction when it is not needed.

I have trained quite a few clients who moved to Sage - some were used to the "manual" cashbook and woldnt even switch a computer on!

Sometimes a 1 to 1 training session would produce better results and quicker than on a course.

If you ever do move back to computer software, drop me a line if you get stuck

Thanks

Frank

 

[markc]

The main problem with Sage is you learn how to do things with it (eg invoicing), devise a strategy for teaching your staff how to use it then the numnuts at sage go and change major parts of how it work without notice, so you have to retrain your staff. They even completely remove things from one version to the next without warning (it used to have a great feature called MIS reports that dissapeared overnight in an "upgrade", with no explanation from Sage at all). Also.. the software is so bug ridden i wonder at times if they actually have a proper testing function within the company. I'm always amazed at the bugs that are in release versions, take the latest version for example... create an invoice and send it as an email. Should be easy... well it is if you don't want to send it with a "subject", If you want a subject sage just strips it out. We used to press a button to have it open our email client and put the invoice in as an attachment. Sage in their infinite wisdom seem to want you to use their daft email system now that doesn't work.

Still.. it seems the best of a bad bunch. What can u do!

 

[David Howard]

Yeah I agree about the update that items are removed. Often though, I say whats the point of upgrading. If your happy with Sage Line v12, why update to 2007, then find errors/changes in the program. Stay with v12 I say!

 

[DuaneJackson]

Stay with v12 I say!

The problem then is that as new versions are released older versions are deemed 'unsupported'.

 

[David Howard]

Ah I didnt even know that myself. I thought you could still buy your support for the version?

I know we staill have versions 8s (i think even 6s) somewhere! haha

 

[EDS]

The problem then is that as new versions are released older versions are deemed 'unsupported'.

Duane, you beat me to it.

Personally I think if you are unhappy with what a company is doing and the way they remove features that you like/want it might be time to start looking at other solutions that work the way you want them to. Sage has a huge following but I think a lot of this is just down to the fact everyone has heard of it not because it is the best solution.

Michael.

 

[markc]

Duane, you beat me to it.

Personally I think if you are unhappy with what a company is doing and the way they remove features that you like/want it might be time to start looking at other solutions that work the way you want them to. Sage has a huge following but I think a lot of this is just down to the fact everyone has heard of it not because it is the best solution.

Michael.

Yep.. makes sense. Indeed we have looked for credible alternatives and guess what... we drew a blank :-(

Sage isn't troubled really by direct competitors... and unfortunatelythey know it, so produce poor software.

 

[ken_uk]

The main problem with Sage is you learn how to do things with it (eg invoicing), devise a strategy for teaching your staff how to use it then the numnuts at sage go and change major parts of how it work without notice, so you have to retrain your staff. They even completely remove things from one version to the next without warning (it used to have a great feature called MIS reports that dissapeared overnight in an "upgrade", with no explanation from Sage at all). Also.. the software is so bug ridden i wonder at times if they actually have a proper testing function within tbefhe company. I'm always amazed at the bugs that are in release versions, take the latest version for example... create an invoice and send it as an email. Should be easy... well it is if you don't want to send it with a "subject", If you want a subject sage just strips it out. We used to press a button to have it open our email client and put the invoice in as an attachment. Sage in their infinite wisdom seem to want you to use their daft email system now that doesn't work.

Still.. it seems the best of a bad bunch. What can u do!

I used to work for The Sage Group, at their old headquarters in newcastle, but ended up on anti-depressants and blood pressure meds due to bullying by the company... They fired me eventually...

I used to fix one of their accountancy packages.

On my first day, I was told to 'slow down' fixing problems by my team leader, as 'I was embarassing them' (them being the people who were currently fixing the problems) by fixing stuff to fast, when they took ages to do it.