Barclays Professional Partnership Package

System
System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 9 in General accounting discussion
Has anyone else signed up to this package and if so, any useful tips for use of the Accountant Link - even a good recommended text book would be ideal. I have just installed the software and getting used to using both Quickbooks and Sage. Have just worked through a Sage Line 50 course booklet. For those who don't know, the software is provided within the business account charges, Sage Financial Controller 2 site user licence & Quickbooks Accountant plus a bundle of practice software - the bank take my business cards and bank customers are offered the software heavily discounted on a practice waiver scheme and come to me as the accountant, typically once a month when they need assistance. :)

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    What's the catch? Are you having to pay Barclays?

    Claudia

    PS - no never heard of it :roll:

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    There are obviously monthly business bank charges but they are much more attractive to me than alternatives I have been looking into, I have a notable collection of demo accounts software discs now! - it is a relatively new scheme. I think one other high street bank has a similar package. It benefits everyone involved - I hope.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    Just been reading about in on accounting web... problem is I don't particularly like them or their attitude to small/start up businesses.

    They told a client of mine a year ago that they would have to wait 60 days to get money from their credit card machine - so they went to Lloyds and get cleared funds in 2 days :roll:

    Claudia
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package


    60 days? That can't be right or fair. Where's the money while it's clearing?

    NatWest take only a couple of days.

    Helen
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    That was my point exactly - yet another excuse for banks to make squillions of pounds profit.

    Claudia
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    I’ve got several clients that have signed up to this scheme in the last year, as soon as I hear about it I try and talk them out of it, because they usually regret it later, as they are buying a package that is being suggested to them by Barclays and not getting any proper advice as to whether it is the correct system, which it isn’t always. Another disadvantage that a couple of them have told me is that they have to stay connected to the Internet to use it. (I’m not sure if that is true, because they don’t all say that.) The scheme has been going for a while but originally Barclays were only offering Quickbooks.

    I’m not saying it’s not a good thing to sign up to because Barclays do seem to be able to con a lot of new business clients into buying it.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    May I ask , how much does these scheme cost - for the business and for the accountant?

    If you compare it to other online providers, or even with some Sage products, the price might be comparable. It would depend whether the business was really benefitting from the bells and whistles the software provides.

    I used the Barclays ClearlyBooks scheme a while ago for a oneoff project to clear a backlog - it's what the client already had. He seemed to think he had to be connected online to use it, but I managed to my job offline. The software and data appear to be installed on the PC, not on the web. Maybe the online status is an option for times when both users want to work simultaneously :?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    Sheelagh - the online status is used if the client wants to send data by email to use the accountant link - otherwise there is no need, as far as I can see. Other than I do the on-line banking for the business account and also the software updates come through. Yet to become fully conversant - you can always ask how I am finding it in 6 months.

    I have decided to give this a go, there is a 10 day free trial period, the software is impressive as a bundle and includes training and support which can be extended if needed, I have found all the application guides included as PDF files, so I am no longer worrying about a book!! The appeal to me as a new MIP is that the clients get referred by the bank and it is one method of building up a client base in my first year. The cost for the accountant depends on the level of software extended support that is chosen, but it is lower for me than going through resellers, ebay,iris etc etc. I intend to give a worthwhile service to this scheme and provide all the other accounting services these customers may also need. Talk to Barclays if you are curious. I do understand the reaction from others - I knew it would prompt a flurry in this thread!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    HI,

    I hav just finished my tech. level and awaiting results but have already decided to 'start up on my own'. I went to barclays today to open my account and they told me about this package.

    From what i can see it looks pretty good, like you said especially the referral bit. The only downside for me is i have no experience of quickbooks (i have always used sage) -

    is quickbooks pretty easy to learn?
    how many companies does it support?
    Included in the package is barclays technical support - have you used this/what is this like?

    I noticed this post was in march - how are you getting on with it?

    Sorry to ask so many questions :oops:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    duplicate.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    Hello :)
    I don't know anything further about the barclays scheme, but can i put in a good word for quickbooks?

    Yes, QBs is easy to learn. When I bought it I didn't take out the help package and have never felt that I missed out on anything. It has a built in 'follow me help' function on the screen which gives further details about whatever you're doing which usually answers any questions, otherwise there are forums which are useful if you get stuck.

    and it supports 99 companies. plenty!

    jodie
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package


    I knew I'd seen a similar thread somewhere!

    I'm trying to install 'Barclays Business Manager Lite' onto a laptop running Vista Home and it bombs me out every time. I suspect Vista is the problem here since I've had problems with it before and once had to fool it into thinking it was XP instead of the shiny but horrible new OS that it really is! (Does anyone actually like Vista 'cos I personally think it's absolutely shocking?!)

    Any ideas or has anyone seen this before? Do I really have to call that non-geographical 0845 number and attempt to 'speak' to someone two thousand miles away?! :cry:

    Regards,

    Robert

    EDIT; called the 0845 number and - Lord above - they're based in this country! However, they have no idea as to what the problem is either... * groan *
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    Robert - is that Barclays online banking system for business with under £2m turnover? If it is good luck. I doubt very much whether it will run on Vista as it is about 15 years old.

    I had it here for all of 1 day - it was not what I thought we had signed up for and yes the 0845 number will direct you to another continent - who will put you on hold whilst they read the instructions.

    Jan
    PS How were your results?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    Just seen your edit - don't know how you managed to speak to someone in the UK!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package


    No Jan, it's an integrated "Business Essentials" software package that incorporates amongst other 'useful' Barclays tools, a cut down version of Quickbooks for the new company to do their accounts. It's also supposed to be Vista compatible but I've seen that one before...

    It also comes with a warning that if they later try to install a separate Quickbooks package it might not be compatible, essentially tying them into the whole Barclays thing. Hmmmmmm......

    Yes, I was very surprised by the UK support too. No doubt when the phone bill comes through I'll find it was charged at £1 a minute to compensate!


  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    Sorry can't be any help there.
    Although it sounds similar to something we've been persuaded to sign up for - it was on offer at £1 per month so we did. Also has HR info on it and Sage Line 50. It is sat in the cupboard at the moment - I have Sage 2007 2 company 3 user and that didn't come at £1 a month - looks like it may be stopping there for a while yet.

    We've just transferred across to Barclays and they were offering us all sorts - when it came to software and on line banking the Business Manager had no idea what she was "selling". I found "advice" went out of the window once targets for sales were introduced into banking - hence my change of direction. Or am I being negative again?

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Barclays Professional Partnership Package

    Having started this thread I have just noticed it has resurfaced and have answered a couple of private messages by email. Shortly after signing up to this with Barclays I decided to do an overseas tour in the Falklands for 6 months returning to the UK in 2008 - so I have put MIP on hold. I am completing charity independent examinations as a voluntary community service but that aside I cannot give any real advice.

    Barclays provided Quick Books Accountant 2006 together with all the user guides and training manuals in PDF format - also Sage Line 50 for my use. It was £29 and a few pence per month with free business banking. When I had to cancel the partnership there was no problem, the account was closed without any argument.

    Incidentally the AAT have started a new exemption category 0£ fee for those earning less than £1,000 pa which must be a good idea for new MIPs.

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