Reselling Software and Allegances

My approach to client accounts software has always been rather laid back and I recommend and use several different brands (MOA, Sage, Quickbooks, Xero, etc). My clients regularly ask my opinion and recommendations when they are looking to change and I tend to assess each client individually based on their requirements.

I just wondered if most other practices stick to one "brand" of accounts software and what are the benefits of doing so? Are you happy to form an allegance with a particular brand and recommend it to all of your clients or, like me, do you deal with lots of different accounting packages? For smaller clients do you tend to work with spreadsheets? Is there any value to me spending some quality time putting together a spreadsheet for smaller clients to use?

Also, when I reviewed the online accounting solutions it seems most companies expect the accountant to "subscribe" to the software and claw the money back from their clients by reselling licences on to them for whatever fee they like. Is this the norm for most practices? If so, how much do people spent on accounts software "subscriptions" per annum and is it worth the time and effort? I've put off investing in software in the past (payroll to be exact), and wasted a horrendous amount of time and effort for what would have been a small annual fee.

At the end of the day, I am a small practice and try to concentrate on smaller clients as this is the kind of work I enjoy. But I do feel like I should be less random in my choice of software and apply a more structured approach.

(Apologies if this is a bit of a nonsensical ramble, the children are refusing to go to sleep and keep wondering down the stairs pestering me! Argh!)

Thanks in advance for all feedback and advice.

SD