Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
AIA

Brookson launches freelance software

by
7th Dec 2011
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

Accountancy firm Brookson has launched some new software for contractors and freelancers to gain a better understanding of their finances with up-to-date information on their business.

The new software, Brookson Connect, will give them a daily snapshot of their situation, allowing them to make financially sound decisions and increase earning power.

According to the firm it is the ‘UK’s first ever' accountancy application that delivers up-to-date information to self-employed professionals, providing an instant snapshot of their turnover, profit, cash, business and personal tax position.

Steve Pipe, who has had the opportunity to test out the new service, said Brookson Connect is ‘brilliant’, but is only just the start. “The winners will be those that embrace the new technology quickly and fully, since they will establish themselves as client focused innovators and thought leaders. While the losers will be those who sit back in denial, since they will be seen as dinosaurs who refuse to move with the times.”

Users are given one number daily, advising them on the amount of money they can safely withdraw from their business after tax liabilities have been taken into account. They also have the option of receiving further detail on all business information including invoicing and expenses via smartphone, laptop or tablet.

This surpasses the challenge set by the business secretary Vince Cable last year, who backed the introduction of monthly management accounts for small businesses.

Martin Hesketh, managing director of Brookson, said that a flexible workforce has a huge part to play in the recovery of the UK’s economy. “With our new offering we are providing a platform on which they can start to work more efficiently,” he said.

“For the first time, our customers will have a daily overview of their business enabling them to make financially sound decisions quickly and reliably.  Individuals will now always be aware of their financial position, especially when it comes to tax – a visit to an accountant at the end of the year, only to be met by a huge tax bill, will be a thing of the past.”

“This new element to our service will also be supported by our team of specialists who offer expert advice and support and won’t be at any additional cost to customers," Hesketh added.

Tags:

Replies (8)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By GurpreetSandhu
08th Dec 2011 12:21

How is this different from all the other online accounting systems?

Thanks (0)
avatar
By justsotax
08th Dec 2011 13:15

and does the client need to enter any details....

I presume so - in which case the figures will only be 'up to date' if they do something...

 

Still if it doesn't require client input then i am interested to see more detail....

Thanks (0)
avatar
By GurpreetSandhu
08th Dec 2011 15:59

I checked on their website and it seems to be updated daily.

It connects to bank accounts and downloads transactions everyday, and the Brooksons staff will do the bookkeeping andtherefore I guess it shows the daily position.

However, seeing as they are serving freelancers, I can't imagine more than a couple of transactions a month, so most days there would probably be no change.

Looks good and nicely presented.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By justsotax
08th Dec 2011 16:22

on this basis then presumably they would not entertain a

client with several dozen entries a month? 

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Brookson
03rd Jan 2012 12:11

Response to questions on Brookson Connect

Brookson receive a daily feed from our client’s bank account which allows us to produce an automatic reconciliation of their business financial accounts every day. The rest of the system is in real-time so clients can see any activity produced by Brookson throughout the day. We handle any number of transactions for one all-inclusive, affordable monthly fee. For more info take a look at our Brookson connect video: http://www.brookson.co.uk/connect

Thanks (0)
avatar
By chirspickford
19th Jan 2012 14:12

Brookson feedback

I'm a Brookson customer so thought I would share my experience of their Connect system, I invoice weekly and claim expenses weekly also, their system is capable of as much traffic as possible, so I can see no reason why it would cope with a larger company as opposed to a freelancer.  I am a Social Worker and I am out and about all the time, so their mobile apps and 24/7 services help a lot.  I used to be with another leading accountant (I won't name and shame), but Brookson has been a breath of fresh air. 

Thanks (0)
Replying to MissAccounting:
avatar
By Brookson
20th Jan 2012 13:10

Thank you!

Many thanks for your comments about Brookson Connect, we’re really pleased that you’re finding our new Connect service helpful and that you’re happy with the service you’re receiving!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By unhappyBrooksonClient
07th Apr 2014 19:03

Poor software poor service

I had to comment about brookson's services.

I was attracted to Brookson because of their marketing on their connect system and it looked very promising.

I found out after going thru the hassle of changing accountants, and getting a new bank account set up (they require this) that I was an early adopter, and the Connect software was unfinished and full of bugs.

 

I gave it some time, but after the bugs were ironed out I still found the software very poor. In particular it is SLOW to do anything.

A previous poster mentioned that it would import bank statements and then Brookson would reconcile them. This is not the case, you will have to reconcile the transactions yourself. Which was a shock to me.

I also just had general poor service, it sometime tooks days for them to return emails, and DAYS to return a phone call. In the busy season, you have to BOOK in to talk to someone.

Stay away.

 

Thanks (0)