[Cleanersolutions]

Hi

I am looking at getting some new software to help with book keeping, accounts, purchase/sales ledger etc.

Currently use excel but I'm looking for something new.

I have been taking a look at SAGE today, looks ok.  Any thoughts?

What do you use and do you have any recommendations?

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but on the other hand I dont want to buy rubbish.

Any help/advice appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

[Nigel_W]

Steve,

For the last 11 years I have been using Intuit's Quickbooks Pro which I have been very pleased with. It does absolutely everything you will need it to do and it is also a bit more user friendly for non accountants than Sage.

www.intuit.co.uk


Nigel

[Kinver_Clean]

I use Sage, but only because my accountant has it on his system and can download my discs to do my accounts.
If I were to start again I would agree with Nigel and go for something simpler. Sage takes a bit of getting use to and has some rather annoying quirks.

Trevor

[Clean 'n' Tidy]

Hi,

I am currently trying to use Sage. It is not very user friendly and I am now basically using just for my invoicing as I can't get my head round it.

I would agree with Nigel as Quickbooks has been been suggested to me as a lot easier to use.

Kim

[Cleanersolutions]

Thanks for your replies...

Ill take a look at quickbooks then

I had heard that SAGE was a bit mind boggling.

Thanks

Steve

[Cleanersolutions]

Alright Lads,

Had a look on their website and it seems they sell a few differing versions.

Which one(s) do you use/recommend.  They have:

Simple Start 79.95
Regular        149.95
Pro               299.95
Premier        449.95

Cheers

Steve

[Len Gribble]

Steve

I’ve only ever-used Sage setting up was a bit difficult at first, also as mentioned accountants use it the only problem here I uses instant accounting and accountant uses Line 50 this program only goes one way once the accountant dose all the figures it cant be reloaded back to instant accounting, got round that don’t ask that would be telling!

You don’t say what web site you look at I take I Quickbooks it may have the same problem as with Sage.

Before spending any money I take it you use an accountant have a word with them.

Len

[Nigel_W]

Steve,


I would start with Quickbooks simple start and then upgrade later if you want more features. I am using Quickbooks Pro with Payroll. I have had a quick look at Simple Start and it seems to offer all of the features you need to get started. You will be able to upgrade later without losing any of your data.  Quickbooks is completely different to Sage as it is designed for the non accountant businessman.  It is completely intuitive and easy to master. It can also provide invaluable marketing information and you can manage your database of clients within Quickbooks

At £79 if you don't like it you can afford to put it in the bin!

Good luck


Nigel

[Len Gribble]

Nigel

Do you use an accountant or diy for the Inland Revenue?

Len

[Nigel_W]

Len,

I do all the accounts preparation up to P & L and Balance Sheet. My Accountant does the Corporation Tax computation and signs off the accounts for submission to Companies House.  I do my own personal tax returns using Tax Calc. These are easy though as technically I am an employee

Nigel

[Len Gribble]

Nigel

Being an ltd is a bit different to being a sole trader even with staff, what accounts software dose you accountant use to audit you accounts, all has to go though the books.

I have found giving them it in paper form cost you if not compatible to their system, one needs to know what software system they use, standardisation works out cheaper in the long run!

Len

[Nigel_W]

Len,

My Accountant is a Quickbooks man - so all I have to do is give him a disc with my Quickbooks data on it. If he makes any changes they are automatically merged with my records when I reload the disc. This is a nice feature of Quickbooks. When I changed accountant I went to the Intuit web site where there is a list of accountants who are experienced with Quickbooks. The Accountant I chose only lived 3 miles away.

Nigel