What accounting software do you use?

barryhynd · #1 (**permalink**) 18-03-08, 13:02

This subject interest me as my own background is in accountancy. What accountancy software do people use for their business?

Do most people stick with Sage or Quickbooks or do most prefer to do it on their own using spreadsheets etc.

Love to hear your views

Brian McIntosh · #2 (**permalink**) 18-03-08, 14:17

I use a spreadsheet then give everything to my accountant when he asks for it. Strangely enough I got the spreadsheet from you Barry a few years back.

barryhynd · #3 (**permalink**) 18-03-08, 17:21

I cant believe you still use that spreadsheet! How cool is that. Does the accountant like the way it's all laid out etc? I designed that when I was about 18, given what I now know about Excel I would probably do it all a different way now

Brian McIntosh · #4 (**permalink**) 18-03-08, 18:51

It works for me and I've had no complaints from my accountant either.

stugster · #5 (**permalink**) 18-03-08, 21:14

I've been using www.KashFlow.co.uk for about 5 months, but due to the way it doesn't easily allow for certain reporting (I didn't understand the Nominal Codes etc.), I've moved to Sage Instant Accounts Plus.

When I say "I've moved", I've played with it, migrated my accounts and all that rubbish - but I'm not actually going to start using it until next Fiscal year (just for simplicity's sake).

But yeh, Sage is amazing - just don't expect to be able to pick it up and know it. I spent a good two days learning it through the User Guide and trial-and-error.

pcsupport · #6 (**permalink**) 19-03-08, 13:15

Quickbooks for me because I was lead to believe that it could integrate with Outllook (save all that typing) but I have noticed that Microsoft are now doing FREE and PAID accounting packages that can import your data from other packages.

Has anyone tried this yet?

Boxby · #7 (**permalink**) 19-03-08, 18:08

I use 2, for two seperate businesses.

I use MYOB for hubby's business, as it's basic and simple and quick and easy, and hubby's accounts are dead straight forward, no debtors, creditors or stock.

However, Boxby is a different kettle of fish, as we need to do self invoicing for suppliers. That eliminated all of the usual suspects. I didn't want to go to the full Sage Line 50 etc, and am not a big fan of sage anyway. I have ended up with a Sage subsidary - Pastel Express, which although doesn't give me that warm happy feeling so far, does at least do all that I want it to do without it costing an arm and a leg. Still, after I've migrated the last years transactions onto it, i'm sure that familiarity will mean we get on a lot better!

Kind regards
Sandra

barryhynd · #8 (**permalink**) 19-03-08, 21:38

I've got to say Pastel Express is a new one on me. Never heard of it!

Richard - What exactly is it you dont want to type? Theres loads of technology out there that can automate many different parts of your accounts. I'll happily talk you through what's available if you think it would be beneficial.

Thnaks for all the posts folks and if anybody does need any help with accounting systems etc please feel free to drop me a PM. It's one think i'm not to bad at

pcsupport · #9 (**permalink**) 20-03-08, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by barryhynd

Richard - What exactly is it you dont want to type?

Hundreds of contacts from Outlook to Quickbooks, thats what

stugster · #10 (**permalink**) 20-03-08, 15:06

You can export your contacts from Outlook as an excel file. If my memory serves me correctly, QuickBooks allows import of .xls files for almost anything