Which Accounting Software to use for Startup

chrisb1357

Hi all,

I am looking for a good but cheap Accounting Software to use for myself when going self employed soon but not sure which ones to use. I do not have much funds behind me for buying expensive software.

I have seen that Microsoft offer a free software called Office Accounting Express which is free from here http://www.msofficeaccounting.co.uk/ but others have also suggest Quickbooks or Sage.

Can anyone advise

Chris

fengirl_2

It depends what you are going to be doing and what sort of turnover you envisage. I would start by using Excel spreadsheets as a cash book until you start having lots of transactions which it is more difficult to manage on a spreadsheet.

ukbill69

Excel is always easy to use. But I wish I had have started all my accounts in sage instant accounts, save me a lot of time and effort and better if you have a tax inspection. Cheapest is here I think: http://www.sjsoftware.co.uk/products/?instant

I used ms accounting for like 10 mins then it was so buggy, I couldn't have that in my business.

Pennywise

www.vtsoftware.co.uk do a free cash book program which is excellent and it is scaleable up to their full version (which is still remarkably cheap) with sales & purchase ledgers when your business is big enough to need them.

There's no point in using Excel or paying for Sage when you can get VT cashbook for free. As an alternative, many accountants will provide their clients with free software anyway, either tailored spreadsheets or their own desktop or maybe even online system. Probably a good idea to ask your accountant what they'd like you to use.

chrisb1357

Its good to see that MS still hold up to the bug issues in its software like normal. I have looked at many free templates and software but have not heard of VTSoftware before. I also know some accountants do offer free online software but my worry was that the data is stored over the internet and that i might not be able to gain access or move the data someware else in the future.

Chris

slipp_digby

i use VT transaction (for a ltd) and would say while not the most complicated software it is quite user friendly and logical (and easy to amend mistakes).

on this basis, VT cashbook would be a decent choice

Pennywise

chrisb1357 wrote: »

I also know some accountants do offer free online software but my worry was that the data is stored over the internet and that i might not be able to gain access or move the data someware else in the future.

This is a common worry, but most good online providers have built in data backup and data export routines for this very purpose. We offer our clients a choice of two online systems for which we pay their subscriptions, and both have excellent facilities to enable downloading of their data to a local machine for backup, data manipulation (in excel etc) or even as a file to import into other software like Sage. If you're looking at online software, just check out what backup/export facilities they have - most will have this aspect well covered. As for access problems, again, the decent firms have decent infrastructure to minimise down-time. There is a lot of competition in the online market and the main providers are having to provide a top-notch service to attract customers and keep them.

chrisb1357

Just tried Quickbooks free version and did not have a clue how to use it LOL

Chris

chrisb1357

Can anyone recommend a good and easy to use Excel Sheet Bookeeping Template for the time being

Chris

3kidsandskint

I use simplybooks there is a free trial download, and it has been fine for the last few years for me,

https://www.simplybooks.net

woody01

Sage.
It's easy to use, very popular, and quite a powerful package.