Accounting Software

[ratboy]

Which is the best to get and why?

 

[bb99]

The best one to get is the one that your accountant recommends because it's the one that they will be more comfortable with yo using, and quicker with.

 

[ratboy]

Sage then.

 

[bb99]

I've heard good things about Small Business Accounting Software - Mac and Windows which is an entirely online system, but I've never used it myself.

 

[monaghan]

If you don't have an accountant, then give Microsoft Office Accounting Express a look, it's free (has limitations, but a full paid for version is also available). You can do your VAT and most common business reports with the free version.

Sage & Quick Books are also very popular and both have version for small companies.

Alternatively, a spreadsheet and a little bit of thought will usually allow you to do everything you need.

 

[scooter]

bb99 is spot on.

One of the most popular is Sage. (for both businesses and accountants.) Very easy to use. I have used Sage Instant Accounts for 5 years now and i'm happy with it.

 

[ratboy]

A big timesaver for me is invoicing as I have 500 advertisers now, hopefully extending this to a few thousand this year so I guess they all do that fairly well.

Just wondered if there were any naff ones to avoid.

 

[bb99]

A big timesaver for me is invoicing as I have 500 advertisers now, hopefully extending this to a few thousand this year so I guess they all do that fairly well.

I believe the one I've linked to above has some sort of API so you may be able to magically code up something between your advertising system and the online accounting jobby to do all your invoicing for you at the push of a button...

 

[monaghan]

Microsoft has a SDK, so potentially you may be able to hook up the invoicing, I had a look a while back, but have not had time to look in detail, but it certainly seemed do-able.

I guess Sage & others will have similiar API's, you'll need to check.

 

[retired_member12]

Sage then.

Not if you're running it on a Vista 64bit m/c. Upgraded in November, only to find it wouldn't run. Sage finally accepted there was a problem, and issued a credit note upon return of the software. They verbally confirmed they expect to see a fix/upgrade by end of March '09. We shall see, but really hoping they will do it, nice if it coincides with Y/E.

 

[aZooZa]

Revamp your system to run Sage. It's the bean counters' de facto standard.

 

[retired_member12]

I've run it for over 8 years, and swear by it. But I wanted to move to a better all round PC. Didn't work out like that though, I've 2 Vista 64 bit PCs and a laptop to make space for already, it p155es me off having another old XP1900 system running on the network now, just because of the accounts package.

It's not the only software I needed to upgrade though, Adobe Creative Suite 4 (Web Premium) was a real 'ouch' I can tell you!

 

[scooter]

I would go with Sage. Real easy to use, gives you all the reports you or your accountant will want at the press of a button and makes VAT returns a doddle. (another press of a button)

They also have a good help line. (just don't phone between 12-2pm or you'll be hanging on listening to elevator music for 20 mins)

Plus, if you want to move accountants, if they are any good they will be happy you are using Sage.

.

 

[Jeewhizz]

We use Kashflow at work, and it's v good. I tried out Sage and Quickbooks, before quickly realising that an online solution suits us better. It doesn't matter where I am, I can invoice someone, job done. They have an API too if you want to automate things beyond what they do by default.

Happy to answer any questions you might have. I also have an affiliate link if you decide to sign up which gets you £1 off per month....

 

[ratboy]

Just had a play with Kashflow and it's great. I take the point that Sage is the beancounters prefered method, however my view is that it is me running the business for 99% of the time and I need to understand whats going on. Seems this is perfect. Totally scaleable and have given me masses of new business ideas using the API.

Recommend Khalid's suggestion to try it it's absolutely ideal for web businesses, even allows you to update hourly from Paypal if you do alot of business there. Great stuff.

 

[drop]

sage doh!

A big timesaver for me is invoicing as I have 500 advertisers now, hopefully extending this to a few thousand this year so I guess they all do that fairly well.

Just wondered if there were any naff ones to avoid.

can you not run it on your advertising / hosting bulk script if any?