Which accounting software would you recommend?

[PalmerCreative]

Hey guys,

So I'm finally getting to the stage where I need to use some sort of accounting software. My aims will be:

1. To accurately manage money in/out on a monthly basis
2. To send Invoice.
3. To Track Owed Payments.

I'm only one person so it'll be Sole Trader, but VAT registered.

The most attractive one so far looks like Quickbooks Online. The interface seems fairly nice but it's £15 a month which I'd prefer to pay in one fee honestly. I'm on a mac so some of the downloadable software ones aren't an option for me.

What are you guys currently using/what would you recommend?

Being a designer I'd really like one with a nice/easy to use interface if possible!

Many Thanks,
Chris

 

[faradaykeynes]

Use Quickfile, brilliant software and absolutely FREE

 

[PalmerCreative]

That actually looks quite good - is it really professional and has all the features you need? Seems a bit odd someone would make for free?

 

[Bob]

@GlennDrake is a member on here. Have a look at this post

 

[faradaykeynes]

They are making money of this project but indirectly

 

[Eina26]

Hello there, I think I might be able to help you out. You could look at this list of accounting/bookkeeping software: http://biz30.timedoctor.com/list-of-bookkeeping-software/
It's a Google spreadsheet with Quickbooks alternatives. The list ranges from Giants like Quickbooks, and Sage to Saas alternatives like Outright and Xero. It'll hopefully make it easier for you to choose the right tool for your business. Good luck!

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hey guys,

So I'm finally getting to the stage where I need to use some sort of accounting software. My aims will be:

1. To accurately manage money in/out on a monthly basis
2. To send Invoice.
3. To Track Owed Payments.

I'm only one person so it'll be Sole Trader, but VAT registered.

The most attractive one so far looks like Quickbooks Online. The interface seems fairly nice but it's £15 a month which I'd prefer to pay in one fee honestly. I'm on a mac so some of the downloadable software ones aren't an option for me.

What are you guys currently using/what would you recommend?

Being a designer I'd really like one with a nice/easy to use interface if possible!

Many Thanks,
Chris

Hi Chris

I use Accounts Portal for my own company accounts, and a very large number of my firms clients use it too.

It'll certainly do what you've listed above.

I certainly rate it very highly, it works well, is extremely reliable, is well supported, easy to use and pricing is very competitive.

I do periodically check out the competition and do think Accounts Portal takes some beating.

They offer a free trial.

 

[jonrod]

I use QuickBooks as it has all the features I need. It is easy to setup and everything is customized for your specific type of business. However, if you are using its web based platform, you'll definitely need to have an internet connection.

In case you need more alternatives, perhaps this list of Accounting software might help you find the best tool to use for your business http://biz30.timedoctor.com/list-of-bookkeeping-software/

 

[Backrubber]

Here's a very basic and extremely cheap bookkeeping solution:

http://www.mybookkeepingmanager.com/

It's primarily aimed at IT contractors (micro limited companies) because it lets you calculate dividends and corporation tax, but it can also be used by sole traders.

 

[kevin.doran]

I use Clear Books as do the majority of my clients (slowly but surely as I move them across).

You won't get a straight answer to this though i'm afraid, it's down to personal preference really. Just hit Google, use the free trial periods and go from there.

 

[Paul Norman]

Quickbooks, as you mention is fine, as is Xero and Kashflow.

I have no knowledge of free accounting systems, but £15 a month really is a tiny, tiny, amount for your accounting system.

 

[SashaBondareva]

Hi

Hey guys,

So I'm finally getting to the stage where I need to use some sort of accounting software. My aims will be:

1. To accurately manage money in/out on a monthly basis
2. To send Invoice.
3. To Track Owed Payments.

Many Thanks,
Chris

Hi Chris,

I work for Debitoor, and it sounds like our app does exactly what you're looking for. It's free for invoice & Expenses. And you have mentioned you'd like to manage your spending & income (Payment option) & you can record partial payments and track home much money your customer owes.

Anything else, or if you need help setting up - I'm here to help.

P.S. we often get compliments on the UI, so, perhaps you'll like it

Cheers

Sasha @ Debitoor

 

[kevin.doran]

Hi @SashaBondareva

I actually have a client using Debitoor - he loves it. I'd be interested to know what's on the road map?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

What I would consider the best solution is to ask your accountant which system he uses, after all he has got to use the same system to work on your books and if he has to learn or convert data then he will charge for the time

There is no leading software for smaller companies just a very large group mostly on Cloud, for companies who want to grow to large ones then Sage and Instant Sage is the more widely used software but quite a large learning curve so more for LTD or larger Partnerships

 

[David Griffiths]

Most decent accountants can work with any software provided that it offers (and the client knows how to extract) a few basic reports.

 

[Jennie@FreeAgent]

Obviously I'm biased and would say FreeAgent, but does anyone else in here use FreeAgent that could give their opinion?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

[quote="David Griffiths, post: 2403961, member: 30733it out]Most decent accountants can work with any software provided that it offers (and the client knows how to extract) a few basic reports.[/quote]
Thats true but at about say 50 pounds a hour sorting It out, it is probably cheaper to buy a popular software you accountant knows

 

[David Griffiths]

Thats true but at about say 50 pounds a hour sorting It out, it is probably cheaper to buy a popular software you accountant knows

We are talking about a trial balance and a nominal ledger report here, not asking the accountant to reverse engineer the coding of the software. That's the same work no matter where they come from.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

[quote="David Griffiths, post: 2403961, member: 30733it out]Most decent accountants can work with any software provided that it offers (and the client knows how to extract) a few basic reports.

Thats true but at about say 50 pounds a hour sorting It out, it is probably cheaper to buy a popular software you accountant knows[/quote]

I'm with David on this as long as you can run basic standard reports any decent accountant can work from records kept using any package they really wouldnt need to spend any extra time on a system they dont use.

 

[kevin.doran]

I'm with David on this as long as you can run basic standard reports any decent accountant can work from records kept using any package they really wouldnt need to spend any extra time on a system they dont use.

Hmmm....depends how 'trusted' those records are though. If you end up having to correct numerous posting errors via software you don't use on a daily basis it could end up being fairly time consuming.

I much prefer to work with the software of my choice so I can give proper guidance as time goes by. Each to their own though of course.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hmmm....depends how 'trusted' those records are though. If you end up having to correct numerous posting errors via software you don't use on a daily basis it could end up being fairly time consuming.

I much prefer to work with the software of my choice so I can give proper guidance as time goes by. Each to their own though of course.

In my book though that's no preparing the accounts that sorting out the bookkeeping, and yes if a clients wants bookkeeping it's generally most cost effective for the client to do that using a package you are familiar with.

I know and use both Accounts Portal and VT extensively but am certainly very happy to work from any accounting records; if they are accurate and well maintained the fee I charge a client is the same regardless of the package they use.

 

[kevin.doran]

In my book though that's no preparing the accounts that sorting out the bookkeeping, and yes if a clients wants bookkeeping it's generally most cost effective for the client to do that using a package you are familiar with..

Sorry yes, I was coming at it from a combined perspective.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

No apology necessary at all Kevin but thank you

I hope all of our comments are helpful to people reading the forum.

 

[GLAbusiness]

I use FreeAgent and find it excellent. It is very easy to use. I have had to contact their support on a couple of occasions. The response has been outstanding, they know their product and they also understand the business needs - make sure that whatever package you use you get good quality support

 

[Jennie@FreeAgent]

I use FreeAgent and find it excellent. It is very easy to use. I have had to contact their support on a couple of occasions. The response has been outstanding, they know their product and they also understand the business needs - make sure that whatever package you use you get good quality support

Thanks! Our support team are an absolute asset to FreeAgent and they're always ready to help.

 

[Bumbling Amateur]

I use GnuCash. It is free, open source software with plenty of online help available. This is my first foray into accounting for my quite simple limited company and I'm really enjoying using it and getting to know it.

 

[Mike Conroy]

i would use xero makes the whole bookeeping exercise a lot easier as 90% can be automated. ideal for none accountants

 

[SashaBondareva]

Hi @SashaBondareva

I actually have a client using Debitoor - he loves it. I'd be interested to know what's on the road map?

Hi Kevin,

Apologies for the late reply, didn't get notified with your Q.

We're currently hard at work on the Android app to accompany the browser version (as it's one of the highly requested features).

Just recently we've added a bunch of new accounting features, completely updated the look of the site and we're working on making the accounting features (payments, bank integration, cash transactions, reports) better.

I hope it answers your question and I'm not way too late with it.

Have a great day.

Regards

Sasha @ Debitoor

 

[Page]

Quickbooks Pro - go get it from Amazon for about £120 without payroll and update about once every 3 years so you dont fall to far behind

The last time I looked the online QB offering was truely dire

Consider paying someone to set it up for you - IF the wizard does not do it for you

Someone else doing it for you can set it up so that it reports the information you want - provided they ask you as part of this

Setting it up your self will teach you more about getting the best out of it but will take you time up

Use whatever you are doing now and start with replicating this on QB and run both alongside

This will get you using it at a basic level and you go from there

My big tip - do nearly EVERYTHING through a memorised transaction

 

[Pish_Pash]

My big tip - do nearly EVERYTHING through a memorised transaction

I'm all for tips...but what is a memorized transaction?

My top tip *if* you intend transacting in foreign currencies...is to get yourself Quickbooks ...& also buy the 3rd party utility Transaction Pro Importer 5.0.

Frankly. I was shocked at the 'state of the art' offerings for the small beusiness ...Sage in particular deserve a right rogering in my opinion for their outrageous package offerings/pricing structure (I realise that's likely to be a minority view) ...I couldn't believe that none of the main offerings allowed you to import Sales transactions in bulk without having to pony up for an import tool......I went with QB, because it handles multi currency out of the box

 

[Page]

A memorised transaction is nearly all but not actually all transaction types that can be saved ready for use again
I would estimate I do - umm ah - 95% through them

You can also set them up for things reoccur such as standing orders - daily shop takings etc etc

For example purchase from Amazon on my credit card - I have one for memorised for direct from Amazon and another for Marketplaces sellers - I like to know the split - they are both filled in with the stationary account - which is more usually changed - and a ?? prompt in the memo field

It is far faster and less error prone to work this way

 

[ssh]

I would suggest you do a deep research before you choose. There are quite a few
good options out there. Most of them do SaaS (Software as a Service) model in the cloud and some do software which you can install on your own machine. However, if you go with SaaS solution make sure to find out if there is an option to do a local back-up of your data. Or what happens to your data if you choose to change provider down the road or if their business shuts down.

 

[ILilja]

Totally agree on the research part. Most SaaS providers offer free trials which you can play around with before you make up your mind. You mention design and easy of use as important factors, so if you do decide to try Debitoor in your hunt for the right accounting system, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the updated design.

As for backing up your data, most systems offer an option to export your data for backup or to share with your accountant or to convert your data to other systems.

In Debitoor, we've just improved the export feature to make it easy to export your data in an Excel format to share them with your accountant. It's available in all plans, including the free one.

We always recommend people who leave us to export their data - if not to share with your accountant then at least for your own backup.