computer programs

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 18 in AAT member discussion
Again, gate crashing, my apologies

At the moment I do all my work on various excel spread sheets that I tailor for each client. I am considering looking at a program such as quickbooks or sage and was wondering if anyone could give me any details of their experiences with various programs or if they use one at all. - hope this doesn't break any forum rules.

many thanks
Bobby

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:computer programs

    I use SAGE line50 along with other SAGE packages, and I would highly reccomend them. Very easy to use.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:computer programs

    I also use Sage v12 Financial Controller. Expensive but easy to use. I have a little experience with Quickbooks, I find it just as easy to use as Sage - the layout is similar, but it is cheaper.
    One of the accountants I work for puts in Quickbooks for his clients if they are doing their own book keeping as he usually finds they pick it up quicker than Sage - why I don't know.
    I think it is a case of what you prefer to use as most of the packages will produce the same outcomes.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:computer programs

    I've used quickbooks for some of my clients, but I still feel more comfortable with Sage. Quickbooks is designed to be easy for the non-accountant and it does have some clever reporting capabilities. I still like the Sage interface better but it can be very expensive. I've also used some online software.
    As a bookkeeper I need to be able to send year end data to the accountant in a format they are comfortable with. If the accountant isn't familiar with the format or can't integrate it easliy with their systems, the client ends up paying increased fees for the additional time it takes to get the statutory accounts done.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:computer programs

    thanks sheelagh, good point.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:computer programs

    I'm going to put in my 2 cent's worth for quickbooks!

    I use the accountant edition 2005 with integrated payroll for most of my clients, however 2 of them have sage installed (I don't know what versions but admittedly they're a few years old). I find QB's much much better for the following reasons:-

    Changing data - when I find a mistake it's so simple to correct in QBs and a right carry-on in sage

    Credit Cards - QBs has a lovely system for dealing with credit cards which i've not found in sage

    Reports - I can generate reports much easier in quickbooks and export them to excel in 2 seconds. This makes sending information to an accountant very simple as I'm sure most will be be able to work with the figures from spreadsheets if they don't have QBs themselves.

    I originally bought QBs because it was cheaper than sage but after using it for a year I'd not change to sage even if it was cheaper.

    I know I'm in the minority here and as you say, you've got to use what you're comfotable with, I just wanted to put in a good word for QBs! (and no, i'm not on commission :lol: )

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