I know as soon as the words “accounting and software” are mentioned, few names pop up on our mind. Sage, Pegasus, Quick books, Tass, VT and endless lists.
I have lost in touch with accounting software world for some time now. Years ago, I used to go to accounting software world forms in Earls Court.
David Carter used to do lots of software reviews in the past, but I do not know now.
I am sure there are many applications in the market which are not house hold names, but may be better product than the Sage and QB world.
I am not looking for a cloud, or on-line solutions. A desk top will do.
I used few software in the past, such as QBs, Sage, Pegasus and VT.
I have looked at the trial version of QBs. Not many have changed in functionality wise, but has now Cash flow and budgets. It is still cheap, user friendly and but above all has the best report in my view. I am also aware it has many weakness.VAT issue has not being resolved
I have also looked at Sage. Yes, there are several improvements, but still unable to drill down on reports. I know you can in some reports, but not all. From reading the posts on this site, many have problems with data corruption issues.
I would be thrilled if anyone could convince me why Sage is better product than QBs taking in to account the following criteria: User friendly, functionality, report, price and value for money.
I would like also to hear from other vendors and justify why their product is better than others based on the same criteria: User friendly (Ease of use), functionality, report, price and value for money.
I value every one’s input, experience, prejudice and love on accounting software
Replies (13)
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Without knowing more.......
Hi Cantona1
Surely the justification as to why one product is better than the other is, in my opinion, a needless exercise if the customer's requirements are not known. Our first question when asked this by new a client is: "What are your requirements?".
For example, you have already ruled out cloud (SaaS) solutions. Has the client specified this or is this just your wish? Yes, you have asked for comment on functionality, but which funcitonality is important to the clients business; Stock management? Job costing? CRM?
Then there are considerations such as; Integrations to 3rd party applications? What is the user count? Is there a budget?
This is something we do for many clients (http://www.recenseo.co.uk/business-software/advice-and-guidance/) and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your customers requirements offline. If you would like to contact me, my phone number is: 01243 214 175
If not, all the best in your search.
Regards
Elliott
are you thinking about ease of use and integrity of reports?
[quote=ElliottRoss]
Hi Cantona1
"Surely the justification as to why one product is better than the other is, in my opinion, a needless exercise if the customer's requirements are not known. Our first question when asked this by new a client is: "What are your requirements?".
For example, you have already ruled out cloud (SaaS) solutions. Has the client specified this or is this just your wish? Yes, you have asked for comment on functionality, but which funcitonality is important to the clients business; Stock management? Job costing? CRM?
Then there are considerations such as; Integrations to 3rd party applications? What is the user count? Is there a budget?
This is something we do for many clients (http://www.recenseo.co.uk/business-software/advice-and-guidance/) and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your customers requirements offline. If you would like to contact me, my phone number is: 01243 214 175
If not, all the best in your search.
Regards
Elliott
Hi Cantona1
ease of use is the predominant need when you are new in business. it depends on whether you already understand how the systems refferred to(pegasus tas sage qb) are used.
if you used these before go for something similar but not complex.
alot of small clients just use excel.
If you do and have an accountancy head you need a system with integrity and easy reporting.
"
"Either QuickBooks Pro or Sage Instants should be sufficient for what you suggest.
QuickBooks Pro is certainly superior for reporting, however, Sage support is far more user friendly than QB support desk.
If you can get your reporting requirements from Sage I would go with that, but if not use QuickBooks and hope that you don't need to phone the helpdesk" """
you can export any sage nominals to excel but sage is hopeless if you make a mistake.the month end year end reporting totally mucks up zthe integrity of your reports.
quickbooks will be simpler to use. than sage
"Have a look at Tas. They have a free basic program available - not sure how far you can go with it as regards VAT or CIS etc. It might not be perfect, but I have been using it for 12 years plus with good results. I have also installed it for clients to invoice from and taught them to use it effectively. I have yet to get a satisfactory answer from accountants as to why they think Sage is so wonderful. Ironically it was bought out by Sage a few years ago. I was gutted I can tell you - but so far it doesn't appear to have been influenced too much. I am keeping my fingers crossed!!
Tas lets you drill down almost everywhere. You can edit from many screens directly without having to go all around the houses. You can export reports simply to excel or PDFs. VAT returns can be submitted directly from the software, as can the CIS returns (although the CIS is a bolt on extra) Back up and restore functions are painfully simple. Financial periods can be worked on historically (although this can be dangerous!!) and if the accountant keeps you waiting ages for adjustments this is very useful!! Vat returns pick up anything new posted into periods already submitted so there isn't so much pressure to find every last penny in time"
you need to know about all the mistakes you could make with TAS.
Since it was bought by sage sage has made it slower less functional and messy, and the year end always throws out all balances. stick to the free basic tas to start with. I use TAS and have seen it used by a client and then now understand its reliability and accuracy because of ease of correcting your mistakes.
for once the clients sales report agreed with the vat returns! that would not happen with sage.
what ever you choose keep hard copies/printouts /backups of your work
Start-up Accounting software
You could try Moneysoft's Money Manager. www.Moneysoft.co.uk
Simple book-keeping/ online VAT returns and a fantastic payroll prog.(if required)
Either QuickBooks Pro or Sage Instants should be sufficient for what you suggest.
QuickBooks Pro is certainly superior for reporting, however, Sage support is far more user friendly than QB support desk.
If you can get your reporting requirements from Sage I would go with that, but if not use QuickBooks and hope that you don't need to phone the helpdesk.
Software for start ups
Why does everybody jump straight from quick books to sage. I hate both with a passion. Neither is particularly user friendly unless you never ever make a mistake. Undoing an error can be mostly guess work given the lack of drill down facility on sage and well, the confusing terminology in QB.
I have used VT. Fine if you are an accountant but for most start ups something a bit more user friendly is useful.
Have a look at Tas. They have a free basic program available - not sure how far you can go with it as regards VAT or CIS etc. It might not be perfect, but I have been using it for 12 years plus with good results. I have also installed it for clients to invoice from and taught them to use it effectively. I have yet to get a satisfactory answer from accountants as to why they think Sage is so wonderful. Ironically it was bought out by Sage a few years ago. I was gutted I can tell you - but so far it doesn't appear to have been influenced too much. I am keeping my fingers crossed!!
Tas lets you drill down almost everywhere. You can edit from many screens directly without having to go all around the houses. You can export reports simply to excel or PDFs. VAT returns can be submitted directly from the software, as can the CIS returns (although the CIS is a bolt on extra) Back up and restore functions are painfully simple. Financial periods can be worked on historically (although this can be dangerous!!) and if the accountant keeps you waiting ages for adjustments this is very useful!! Vat returns pick up anything new posted into periods already submitted so there isn't so much pressure to find every last penny in time.
What more can I say? I LIKE IT!! :)
Quickbooks can be purchased from shops (like PC World) or off the the Internet (eg from Amazon).
You can get support from anyone, you don't have to sign-up with Intuit.
Finally I would comment that the much discussed VAT issue IS fine in the current software and most of the issues came from historic postings which weren't correct. If you are starting afresh with a new company and thus a new company file in Quickbooks it will be fine.
Captain
well i beg to disagreewith the captain
try going from accrual accounting to cash accounting - it doesnt work
even going the other way has to be manually reconciled to be 100% there is no breakdown of figures b/f as due / repayable
try adjusting boxes 6 & 7 doesnt work ( as in changes above)
and most annoying you have to enter a bill to record VAT bloody nuisance
other than that its fine and dandy ( apart of course from the 2006 multi currency fiasco)
of course i still use it as i have given up on tippex
and i use money manager , quirky for sure but great value and it does everything even now copes with flat rate scheme - the new version of final accounts is due soon i believe
Only show in town
Why just restrict yourself to QB or Sage?
You mention not wanting a cloud based product but I think you'll be surprised by how good they are ease of use, functionality and interface with third party software.
I'd recommend http://www.xero.com/
I confess!
I confess to not having tried to go from Cash Accounting to Accrual or back from Accrual to Cash Accounting so I can't comment on that but it sounds messy. Also I have not exploited the Multi-Currency aspect so again, I can't comment.
Captain