Desktop accounts package that can upload bank statement to do bank rec like Xero does it

Desktop accounts package that can upload bank...

Didn't find your answer?

Does anyone know of a desktop accounting package that can import (manually) a bank statement  to do the bank reconciliation like Xero does it? I like Xero but need something that  can be used without internet access.

Replies (11)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

By Eightoaks
10th Oct 2011 18:24

Depends what your needs and budget is

There are a few "desktop" systems out there but cost varies. Think about what else you want it to do, and your budget. The trend is very much towards web-based systems like Xero because of the flexibility and the ability to collaborate with your accountant, but if you must have an offline system take a look at QuickBooks or Sage Instant Accounts, although the look and feel may not be as good as you are used to.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By chatman
10th Oct 2011 22:21

Misunderstanding

There might be a misunderstanding here: I am not looking for a beginner's guide to buying software, just if anyone knows of a piece of software that has particular characteristics.

I'm not sure QuickBooks imports bank statements in the same way Xero does; I believe the transactions go straight into the general ledger, circumventing the normal accounting controls, such as the bank reconciliation. Am I wrong; do they actually get imported somewhere else, like in Xero?

Regarding desk-top v on-line, I would love to be convinced by the claims of the cloud crowd, but have not managed it yet.

Thanks (0)
Replying to User deleted:
By Eightoaks
11th Oct 2011 18:52

No misunderstanding, was just trying to be helpful.....

...... and I did mention a couple of options. See why I don't use these forums much!

Thanks (0)
Gary Turner
By garyturner
11th Oct 2011 16:21

Allow me

@Chatman - would love to buy you a coffee one day and have a go at convincing you.

Gary Turner
Managing Director, Xero
@garyturner

Thanks (0)
avatar
By chatman
11th Oct 2011 17:04

@garyturner

I must admit to having been a little bit dishonest there Gary; as I had specifically asked for a solution that works for someone without an internet connection and got back the usual "you  don't know what you want" type answer, so typical of many (not all) of the cloud crowd.

I suppose when I say I'm not convinced by the cloud crowd, what I mean is that cloud is not better than desktop just because it is cloud; it has to actually be good software too, a point  missed by many of the salesmen posting on AWeb.

In fact I have recently found an on-line accounts programme that I like and have just moved a client (hopefully the first of many) onto, and it's Xero! However, I do have clients who do not want to be reliant on their internet connection (eg on holiday) and who do not have iOS or Android phones. Hence my question, and my wording "like Xero does it". I like the way Xero does it.

I'll PM you my Paypal details and you can send me the price of one of those expensive pretentious coffees sold by the American chains.

Thanks (0)
Gary Turner
By garyturner
11th Oct 2011 17:58

Coffee

Good insight.

Will look out for the PM. :)

Gary Turner
Managing Director, Xero
@garyturner

Thanks (0)
By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
11th Oct 2011 19:19

.

Gary

I hope you dont mind my asking, I have several clients on Xero now and I use it myself and finding it really good, but everyone (myself included) seems to have been having problems with bank feeds lately. I was wondering if there was a reason for this?  Having  recommended it to clients as a time saving thing they are understandably are aiming any issues squarely back at me. 

I suggested it might be volume related given you must be picking a lot of business now given it seems to be the market leader now for cloud software, and it seems to happen more on Friday PM/Monday AM and at the month end (ie last week was a PIA as you had both in one go)  but it would be good to know the actual reasons behind it and what's being done to fix it to reassure clients.

rgds,

 

Thanks (1)
avatar
By chatman
11th Oct 2011 19:41

@eightoaks

Sorry eightoaks; I felt a little patronised, but was probably being over-senstive. Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think QuickBooks does it, and I would be surprised if Sage did. Following your suggestion I relooked at QuickBooks but it only seems to work with .qbo files, which I have not come across and my bank doesn't do.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By chatman
11th Oct 2011 19:42

Bank Feeds

Yes, I have been having trouble with bank feeds too.

Thanks (0)
FT
By FirstTab
11th Oct 2011 19:59

Bank feeds - me too

 I am having problems with bank feeds too. Gary can you please respond why this is?

Also why is it not possible to speak to a human on a technical issue with Xero?

It was embarrassing for me when I was going on how great bank feeds are in a demo to a client. Then tried to show him how to set up on his Xero - it did not work. Client was left unimpressed. He has agreed only to continue with Xero once bank feeds are sorted.

 

Thanks (0)
Gary Turner
By garyturner
12th Oct 2011 17:54

Help with bank feeds

As of our August release we now have 5,000 bank feeds globally for Xero, with around 80 in the UK (delivering around 8,500 UK bank feed syncs every day now) -  so this a significant service for us now with lots of moving parts. We certainly see feedback that some feeds take longer to connect than others or are just more complex, and there are some stragglers that will take a while longer to become active. We work very hard to flatten any issues quickly because customers are quick to report that they really miss the feeds service if it stops working for any reason.

We have various places you can go for help: 

a status page at http://blog.xero.com/bank-feed-status/ detailing any pending feeds or issues with existing feeds as they arisethe Xero Help centre - http://help.xero.com/#Payments_Banks open a ticket in Xero, or drop an email to bankfeedhelp [at] xero.comfor accountants in the UK we also provide direct 1:1 help (a human you can speak to) as part of our our accounting partner community support. Send me an email to gary.turner [at] xero.com and I'll provide you the contact details.

Gary Turner
Managing Director, Xero
@garyturner

Thanks (0)