Accounting Packages

[vixpy1]

Can anyone recommed a cheap simple small business accounting package?

Ta,

Charlie

[PetrolTed]

QuickBooks

[Bodo]

GnuCash - it's free and open.

[v12v8]

Ted, would you recommend QB over Sage?

[PetrolTed]

I was advised that QuickBooks was easier to get to grips with and to rectify mistakes than Sage is. I get the impression that Sage is very much aimed at professional accountants/book keepers whereas QB is targeted at those who have to look after their own records (and don't have an accounting background). That said, I've not worked with Sage so all I can do really is vouch for QB.

I like it because it refers to things in terms that I can understand and my accountant is happy to work with the files I send to him too.

Horses for courses, but I don't hesitate to recommend it.

[Eric Mc]

I agree with Ted. Having dealt with both Sage and Quickbooks over the year - personally I prefer Sage (but I'm an accountant). However, most of my clients who use accounting software use Quickbooks and I think it is better package for those with a non-accounting/book-keeping background.

It has some odd features which can catch you out though so you do need to thread carefully and make sure your accountant is on the ball when using the Quickbooks info for the annual accounts.

[robwalker]

I'm with Ted on this one.

If you're not an accountant, go for Quickbooks. If you are, go for Sage.

Simple (well to us accountants!)

Rob

[vex]

Agree that Sage is over rated for small businesses IMO the presentation hasn't moved on since I last used it in the mid 90's.

I am using Hansa Office2, full accounting package, stock control, purchase orders, sales, quotes and a CRM package.

Great value at £700 for the application and £250 per year support.

www.hansaworld.com

[Davel]

We bought Sage, on the advice of our accountants.

Think that QB would have been far simpler and, with Sage, the add ons and telephone service facility certainly makes it a more expensive package than first appears..

[vex]

Interestingly , my accountant said 'good' when I told her I hadn't bought Sage!

[ehasler]

Another vote for Quickbooks. Simple enough for me to understand, and no complaints when I send the file to my accountants at the end of each year.

[v12v8]

I'm convinced. I have bought the QB Pro. Hope it makes my accounting less of a nightmare.

[Eric Mc]

Liaise with your accountant.

[greenisbest]

I use MYOB and as a non-accountant I find it easy to use and gives me the info I need.

www.myob.co.uk/index.shtml