book keeping software

Nicky321

We run a small ltd company, just me and my husband. I am looking for a simple, easy book keeping program, any recommendations? I purchased Sage, but after trying it for several months, still cant get my head around it.

trailingspouse

Aargh, Sage. I pride myself on being fairly bright, but it definitely didn't work for me. I did the 6 month self-study course, then went and 'fessed up to my accountant that I couldn't get my head around it. She just said 'it isn't for everyone', so that was OK. Part of the problem was that there was a lot of functionality that I didn't need (we don't employ anyone, we don't have stock or work in progress), but there were other things that we needed that it couldn't provide (we work worldwide, so some sort of currency converter would have been helpful. It also didn't seem to be able to cope with international transactions).

So, I still use the simple spreadsheet that out accountant provided for us when we first set up in business 6 years ago. It works for me, and it works for the accountant, and that's all that really matters.

Pennywise

There's a very easy to use desktop software called vt. There's a free version to download from their website for recording the simple ins and outs like a cashbook. Or a relatively cheap paid for full version that includes sales & purchase ledgers to enter invoices before payment and keep track on who owes what etc. https://www.vtsoftware.co.uk. I use it for a few dozen of my clients - far easier that sage.

Don't feel bad about not getting to grips with Sage. I'm a qualified accountant and over 35 years experience. I started using Sage in the 1980s when it first came out and have seen it through various different versions etc over the past 30 years. Very, very rarely have I ever seen it used properly because it's horrible and too complicated. Even professional book-keepers foul it up. Now I have my own accountancy practice, I won't touch it with a barge pole - I don't have a single client using it - new start ups are told to use other, better products - and I simply won't take on a client if they already use Sage (or if their book-keeper uses it) - it's a matter of change software or find a different accountant.

Nicky321

thankyou for your replies, I have just been trying the wave (online) free, but struggling uploading sainsbury bank credit card statements. I am looking at some software that i can upload bank statements in order to avoid having to input all entries from June 2016

Pennywise

Nicky321 wrote: »

thankyou for your replies, I have just been trying the wave (online) free, but struggling uploading sainsbury bank credit card statements. I am looking at some software that i can upload bank statements in order to avoid having to input all entries from June 2016

VT allows you to import data from a csv/excel file, so if you can export your transactions from your online banking into a csv/excel file, then you can import them into VT.

I know Wave, but it's not a UK written programme - it's just been converted to work with UK £ to make it look like a UK system. I've known of all kinds of problems with it for that reason, so don't recommend it.

Nicky321

Pennywise wrote: »

VT allows you to import data from a csv/excel file, so if you can export your transactions from your online banking into a csv/excel file, then you can import them into VT.

How do i import the data? i cannot seem to find the option

Also, with sage, I could send invoices, and keep track on what customers owed, is there anything similar?

fishybusiness

Also have a look at Quickfile.

We have used VT, and then Quickfile until recently with our ltd.

Recently changed to Quickbooks as it integrates well with our other business software, otherwise would have stayed with Quickfile.

Nicky321

fishybusiness wrote: »

Also have a look at Quickfile.

We have used VT, and then Quickfile until recently with our ltd.

Recently changed to Quickbooks as it integrates well with our other business software, otherwise would have stayed with Quickfile.

just looking at quickfile now

baldelectrician

I use Quicken 2004 (yes 2004) and it works for me, I have it on 2 pc's and back up the whole dataset to 2 places (dropbox and onedrive) every few weeks


I looked at QuickBooks and called them- they could not tell me how to import a Quicken data file (Intuit made Quicken and do make QuickBooks)
What put me off with QuickBooks was the overseas call centre who could not understand what I was asking (accent) and once they had the question they could not answer as it was not in their script.

Mupette

I use wave, simple to use if you RTFM

booksurr

I have clients on the following systems:
Sage: avoid unless you need for multiple currency transactions and 100% need sophisticated accounting software! Expensive.

VT: great for simple stuff (not good with multiple currencies). Has to be uploaded to a PC so you have to pass a backup of the entire system to your accountant when they need it for their year end work. Not a particular issue, just feels "untidy" if you are used to cloud based working. Reporting functions are limited and reports not well presented. Cheap to buy (for a reason, it's basic).

Kashflow: very simple to use as its main point of entry is a sales invoice or a purchase invoice. Allows integration with bank account so you can pay through the system if you want. Cloud based so you can give access to your accountant so they do their stuff easily and you can send invoices and statements direct to your customers from it. Reports are good. Cumbersome for multiple currency transactions. Relatively costly as it has ongoing monthly fees.

Quickbooks: much like Kashflow. Choice between those two comes down to price. Be wary that their current heavy advertising expenditure will have to be recovered somewhere along the line....