What Software?

I have used quite a few over the years and made a big effort to make sure I had the correct 2 years ago when I went full time on my own.

Iris - had used when employed and liked it although the pricing was a stumbling block

VT - used this originally but although I liked VT T+ I couldn't get on with the accounts production. Mainly I think due to being used to Iris and loosing the integration.

PTP - Originally used the tax software only alongside VT and I progressed on to using PTP for everything. Although there was some integration at that point it was still behind Iris.

Keytime - I reviewed this for a while and although ok prices soon crept up and I preferred PTP. It also wasn't great for editing the chart of accounts and using house styles.

Forbes - Reviewed this as well and I just didn't like it as it felt slow and clumsy

Sage - Wanted to try out their accounts software as I had experience of Line 50. However I never got the opportunity as they simply wouldn't return my calls.

CCH - Cost was greater than Iris at the time so didn't even look at the software as I would have chosen Iris beforehand as I would have less learning to do.

Digita - This was my choice on the basis that staff were very friendly and I felt as though I had choices. Prices were the same as PTP for year one and less over two years or more due to Digita's separate license and membership charges. Prices were a lot less than Iris. I really like it and do recommend it. I find it easier and quicker than VT and I cover the additional cost of it in time savings. However others I know of have moved the other way (i.e. Digita to VT) and prefer VT for the same reasons. Everyone has their own preferences and the only way to know is to try them for a while.

For payroll I use Moneysoft - great product and great price.

Tax Calc is a fairly good tax product who are meant to be releasing accounts production and practice management software soon. Maybe worth looking at this too!

Best of luck

Depends what you are doing with Sage I suppose.

I use VT for any bookkeeping clients where possible and for in house bookkeeping. Sage I only tend to use for clients who already use it and don't want to change. I therefore only have a 5 client version. Any regulars take up a client space. the other spaces are for those I am doing year end accounts. At the end I save the backup and then overwrite when the next one comes along.

If you are using it as you main bookkeeping source then there may be an advantage of having more companies to save on backup/restore times. Although opening a company in Sage takes a lot longer than in VT.