Hello Idea Cafe' family, I really feel the need to get some sort of accounting software in place to manage all my newly created business finances. I have worked a lot with our local SBDC as well as asked many of our local small business owners what they would recommend.

I am leaning towards QuickBooks Pro 2008, but wanted to ask the question here to see if others have found some other software that they felt worked just as well if not better and possibly for less cost. Seeing that I am in no way a numbers person, I am hoping to get something in place that is user friendly and that will allow me to learn/know my finances. I need something that I can get support on if I run into problems. I don't want to cut on cost if it leaves me high and dry when it comes to needing tech support.

Any suggestions, or can someone share their experiences with me?

Thank you!

Sandie

If you dont feel like that big of an upfront investment in software, try QuickBooks Online.


>Hello Idea Cafe' family, I really feel the need to get some
>sort of accounting software in place to manage all my newly
>created business finances. I have worked a lot with our local
>SBDC as well as asked many of our local small business owners
>what they would recommend.
>
>I am leaning towards QuickBooks Pro 2008, but wanted to ask
>the question here to see if others have found some other
>software that they felt worked just as well if not better and
>possibly for less cost. Seeing that I am in no way a numbers
>person, I am hoping to get something in place that is user
>friendly and that will allow me to learn/know my finances. I
>need something that I can get support on if I run into
>problems. I don't want to cut on cost if it leaves me high and
>dry when it comes to needing tech support.
>
>Any suggestions, or can someone share their experiences with
>me?
>
>Thank you!
>
>Sandie

I didn't realize that it would be a reduced cost.

Also it sounds like you would agree that QuickBooks is a good program to have.

I have heard of some people using Peachtree or a MicroSoft application, but some of them have moved to QuickBooks as well.

Thank you for the tip.

Sandie

I would purchase what your accountant/cpa recommends and uses. BUT make sure that there are bookkeepers around you that can keep it updated. Even if you dont' need one right now, I can tell you that a client of mine purchased a product because she was using a certain accountant -- but she couldn't find any book keepers locally who serviced that software! Well, a year later, we finally found someone.


If you don't need quickbooks pro, buy the lower priced ones.

There are many, many products out there.

Thank you Maria. It never occurred to me that that type of a problem could exist. I will do my homework, and again thank you.

Sandie

Hi Sandie,

My business used Microsoft Money for years until it came time to do our taxes. We had everything itemized and accounted for, and Money only printed like 1/3rd of the things we had so diligently made note of as deductions! After that, I said dump it.

It doesn't seem to be the least bit happy if it can't have all your banking information, stock trading details and whatnot all in its computer - and I don't know about you but I don't trust Microsoft with any of that stuff!

So we went with QuickBooks. We also tried Peachtree for a time but found the interface too cluttered and confusing. Hope this helps! Quickbooks does have quite the learning curve though, especially if you're switching from Money or another program.

Sherice Jacob

Professional and affordable website design and search engine marketing - http://www.ielectrify.com

Thank you for sharing your experience. I also appreciate your guidance. Because we manufacture and sale our products, I have now been told to start with QB for Manufacturing - this is twice as much as the Pro.

Do you think I could get by with Pro for now?

Thank you.

Sandie

You can buy the basic version of QB and then upgrade to Pro as you find you need it down the road. One thing I would recommend is...have a CPA do the orginal setup of the Chart of Accounts for you. Once that's set up correctly, you're on your way...they can use the Accountants Copy then to do your taxes with. Just make sure you backup regularly...at least once a week.

Thank you for the CPA tip. It makes sense, now I just need to find one. I have been afraid to look for one not knowing how are product will do initially or what a reasonable cost would be to have a CPA help with this task.

Do you know what is considered a reasonable fee for something like this?

I've heard good things about quick books.

In OZ we use MYOB a a great deal. Don't know if that's worth a look?

I am assuming you just want this for basic book keeping and nothing more complex?

Thank you for the suggestions. After further research and taking in all the envaluable feedback I have received, I ended up going with QB for Manufacturing, because I have a lot of parts and inventory that we also need to track.

I have to say at first attempt to load the data, it is very overwhelming, but I can see how in the long run this will be an extremely useful tool. I may be looking for a certified QB trainer because of all the detail that does have to be entered.

Again, thank you for the insite.

There are alternatives to QuickBooks, Microsoft for instance. Cheaper I'm not so sure about. Above and beyond the cost of the software itself,you have to also consider indirect costs. For example, does your bookeeper or CPA use QB or something else. My guess is that they use QB, and if YOU format your accounting data in some other different software , your bookeeper or CPA is going to take more time to process it, which translates into increased cost for you.

Did you know there is a way to get QuickBooks software at zero (QuickBooks Simple Start) or drastically reduced ($50 for QB Pro 2008) cost? Assuming your business will need credit card processing services, when you apply and are approved at the link provided below, the software (full version yours to keep, no trial versions) comes with it at little or no additional cost. The credit card solution allows you to accept Visa/MC/Amex/Discover on your website, retail, mail/phone order, or mobile location (with an internet connected computer). Not a bad deal--the software alone is worth the price of admission considering retail value of nearly $200.


Learn about the free QB software program with credit card processing account, and apply online if you want to, at this site:

http://www.merchantservices-help.com/quickbooks.html

Hope this helps. Good luck.

AMSPCS