Cloud accounting software

Just wondered if anybody could recommend good accounting software that's completely on the cloud.

Didn't find your answer?

Just wondered if anybody could recommend good accounting software that is completely on the cloud?

I currently use VT accounts and taxfiler which are great but VT doesn't work on the cloud and taxfiler is not so good for accounts.

The reason I'm looking at Cloud software is that although I work from home I want to employ  someone else working from their own home and it would give more flexibility to both work on the same  accounts etc.

Also would prefer something which charges per client than per user as the person I'm looking at taking on will be part time.

I do alot of limited by guarantee companies so whatever I choose must be able to cope with that. (Taxfiler can't on the accounts side- the accounts always say limited by shares). I don't do  much bookeeping or any VAT returns so not worried about that side of things or payroll.

Have seen ads for somekind of Xero software for accountants that can file with co house, not the usual bookkeeping software. Has anyone used that and is it any good?

 

 

 

 

Replies (44)

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By the_drookit_dug
02nd Apr 2021 19:46

I'm not sure from your post - are you providing accounting or bookkeeping services, or are you in business and looking for an accounts/bookkeeping solution?

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Replying to the_drookit_dug:
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By Liz098
03rd Apr 2021 11:52

Provide accounting services but not much bookkeeping.

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RLI
By lionofludesch
02nd Apr 2021 23:28

You need to tick the "limited by guarantee" box on Taxfiler.

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By Truthsayer
03rd Apr 2021 09:44
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Replying to Truthsayer:
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By lionofludesch
03rd Apr 2021 09:42

Truthsayer wrote:

Where is this box?

EDIT; Found it. It is in the FRS102 notes, but there seems to be no option to mark FRS105 accounts as being this type of company.

You don't need it for an FRS 105 company. You wouldn't show share capital anyway.

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By Liz098
03rd Apr 2021 11:56

Thanks I didn't know that. Just prefer VT now because I can customise the headings.

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By Liz098
03rd Apr 2021 11:57

Thanks I didn't know that. Just prefer VT now because I can customise the headings.

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By Matrix
03rd Apr 2021 08:52

I don’t understand why accountants on here have VT but use Taxfiler for accounts prep.

VT final accounts is highly configurable.

You could use VT and keep the files on the cloud. Your firm’s licence can be used on more than one PC if I understand correctly.

Sorry I don’t know what offerings are on the cloud.

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Replying to Matrix:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 08:55

Yes I don’t know what the obsession is with cloud based apps. I use the software I actually want and keep my files on the cloud instead.

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Replying to DaveyJonesLocker:
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By Liz098
03rd Apr 2021 12:12

Probably like me not too sure about how to go about storing the files on the cloud. Do you use particular software?

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Replying to Liz098:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 12:32

Just Microsoft OneDrive

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blue sheep
By NH
03rd Apr 2021 10:17

Don't understand why you think TF will not do what you want

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Replying to NH:
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By Truthsayer
03rd Apr 2021 10:52

A major shortcoming of Taxfiler is that the line descriptions in the accounts cannot be edited. That's the one major gripe I have about the program.

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Replying to Truthsayer:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 11:03

And a steadfast refusal to add many extra lines. Still shows telephone & fax for goodness sake

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Replying to DaveyJonesLocker:
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By SXGuy
03rd Apr 2021 11:30

People still use telephones? I don't see the issue, unless you have clients asking why you've added fax when there isn't one.

If I can't edit a description I use the closest match.

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Replying to SXGuy:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 12:33

Nobody uses a heading telephone & fax since the 90s

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Replying to DaveyJonesLocker:
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By lionofludesch
03rd Apr 2021 13:16

DaveyJonesLocker wrote:

Nobody uses a heading telephone & fax since the 90s

Do you ever fill in the Self Employment pages of a Self Assessment Return ?

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 13:52

What's that got to do with how I want my accounts presented?

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Replying to DaveyJonesLocker:
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By lionofludesch
03rd Apr 2021 14:32

DaveyJonesLocker wrote:

What's that got to do with how I want my accounts presented?

Nothing - but, then, that wasn't the point you made.

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 14:41

Except it was : "And a steadfast refusal to add many extra lines. Still shows telephone & fax for goodness sake"
It IS ok to criticise Taxfiler y'know.

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Replying to DaveyJonesLocker:
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By lionofludesch
03rd Apr 2021 15:32

DaveyJonesLocker wrote:

Except it was : "And a steadfast refusal to add many extra lines. Still shows telephone & fax for goodness sake"
It IS ok to criticise Taxfiler y'know.

I thought it was .....

"Nobody uses a heading telephone & fax since the 90s."

Taxfiler uses the same headings as HMRC, to make your life easier. I used to use a programme called "Word" if I wanted to give my clients extra detail, so that I could add as much detail as I wished, but then I discovered that most of them didn't really care. Sad, but true. The few who were interested were given a copy of the VT printouts as supplementary to the published Taxfiler version.

There's no point in providing clients with information they dont want - even though you think they should have it.

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 17:41

Yes I’ve heard of word no need to be [***] sarcastic, instead I use an accounts program fit for purpose . But then you always do like to be the only right person in AW threads

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 17:49

And it’s program not programme

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By lionofludesch
03rd Apr 2021 23:18

I seem to have touched a nerve.

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By carnmores
03rd Apr 2021 23:33

:-)

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Replying to Truthsayer:
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By Liz098
03rd Apr 2021 12:25

I stopped using Taxfiler for accounts and moved to VT almost as soon as I got Taxfiler ( about 5 years ago) as I couldn't get it to show limited by guarantee (my mistake) and because the headings were not customisable and were often inappropriate. Still wouldn't be keen to go back to just using taxfiler even with the limited by guarantee thing sorted.

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By I'msorryIhaven'taclue
03rd Apr 2021 13:49

Liz098 wrote:

I currently use VT accounts and taxfiler which are great but VT doesn't work on the cloud....The reason I'm looking at Cloud software is that although I work from home I want to employ  someone else working from their own home and it would give more flexibility to both work on the same  accounts etc.

A simple remote access software installation would provide a good workaround.

Liz098 wrote:

....and taxfiler is not so good for accounts.

But VT is very good for accounts production and filing.

Liz098 wrote:

Also would prefer something which charges per client than per user as the person I'm looking at taking on will be part time.

VT charges £75 per additional user per annum for unlimited number of clients, and have done so for many years (so there's no likelihood of a price hike). Your p/t bookkeeper will cost you £75 a year - what more could you possibly want?

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Replying to I'msorryIhaven'taclue:
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By johnhemming
03rd Apr 2021 16:59

I think you will find that over time cloud services will dominate. However, writing software to run in a browser is harder, but supporting lots of users of the software is easier.

For the purposes of the OP running a remotely hosted version of desktop software is a solution which enables two people to work remotely on the same information.

However, this technically does come with a lot of limitations.

I think the model operated by many cloud providers of accountants having a form of supervisory access to their client's data is one that people will see as the default position.

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Replying to johnhemming:
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By DaveyJonesLocker
03rd Apr 2021 18:00

The issue is there’s no cloud software program that holds a candle to desktop ones

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Replying to DaveyJonesLocker:
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By Hugo Fair
03rd Apr 2021 19:12

Actually the issue is more deep-seated than that, although you're quite correct.

Cloud software can only run in a browser (or even more limiting as an App), which leads (currently at least) to two inherent design limitations. First, the need to minimise user-interaction leads to parameters being hidden - which makes it hard for the user to control the procedures and workflow of the application. Second (and worse), this in turn leads to users not needing to understand what it is that they are doing/processing - and so becoming less adept at their profession.

If/when we ever reach the stage where cloud software can be represented on the desktop in the style (and with the procedures) applicable to the owner of that desktop - even across a multi-user single system - then the espoused benefits of cloud might begin to outweigh all the disadvantages experienced by anyone who is not a novice user.

In the meantime, the only major benefit of cloud apps (the reduction in effort involved in applying upgrades) is a greater benefit to the developer/vendor than to the user. As has been mentioned elsewhere, the valid benefits associated with remote storage and communications can be achieved via other routes.

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Replying to Hugo Fair:
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By johnhemming
04th Apr 2021 12:43

Hugo Fair wrote:

Cloud software can only run in a browser (or even more limiting as an App), which leads (currently at least) to two inherent design limitations.


There is some truth in this. It is possible to write browser based software that is responsive in the same way that desktop software can be responsive. It is, however, harder than doing it on a desktop as such interactions effectively have to use an API on the server. There is also more of a delay, but that again can be handled.

Hence it is more a matter of time and work involved rather than something that has to arise from something being native cloud.

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Replying to johnhemming:
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By adam.arca
05th Apr 2021 08:10

So, what you’re saying is that the IT industry (developers and vendors) could make cloud software emulate the desktop but they’ve chosen not to do so for, presumably, their own ease?

I entirely agree with Hugo and the issues this IT cynicism creates for those advanced users who still prefer desktop. Clearly, the end game here is to avalanche us out of the way by flooding the market with relatively inept cloud users who will have an expectation that their accountant should “just log in” at the drop of a hat to sort them out. And unfortunately, MTD (I can’t decide whether HMG / HMRC are in on this act or whether they’ve been scammed too) is playing this tune too.

Don’t get wrong, there’s a place for cloud software and it’s market penetration would naturally have grown over time anyway but IMHO that place would never be top of the pecking order without the artificial incentive of MTD.

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By carnmores
03rd Apr 2021 23:11

If you cant get TF then you are not thinking laterally. Do not get hung up on descriptions. If you use the accounts module using the CT bit takes about 5 mins to calculate and file

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Replying to carnmores:
blue sheep
By NH
04th Apr 2021 06:07

I'm a big TF fan but I must admit the inability to change descriptions is my biggest frustration

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Replying to NH:
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By jpf1101
04th Apr 2021 12:36

NH wrote:

I'm a big TF fan but I must admit the inability to change descriptions is my biggest frustration

same here

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Replying to jpf1101:
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By carnmores
04th Apr 2021 12:52

I am so over it. I provide a duplicate PL if clients require

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Donald MacKenzie
By Donald MacKenzie
08th Apr 2021 09:52

I use VT accounts software and VT Final Accounts. Both are brilliant. I hold ALL my files in the "cloud", using Dropbox, with the software installed on each PC I use (including on a few client machines for when we used to be able to go to clients' offices!)

The only limitation is that you cannot have two users access and change files at the same time.

VT is SO much easier and better than Quickbooks, Xero, Freeagent etc

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Replying to Donald MacKenzie:
blue sheep
By NH
08th Apr 2021 10:03

Donald MacKenzie wrote:

I use VT accounts software and VT Final Accounts. Both are brilliant. I hold ALL my files in the "cloud", using Dropbox, with the software installed on each PC I use (including on a few client machines for when we used to be able to go to clients' offices!)

The only limitation is that you cannot have two users access and change files at the same time.

VT is SO much easier and better than Quickbooks, Xero, Freeagent etc


I have never used VT but is that not like comparing apples and pears? I didn't think VT did the same things as those?
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By Brend201
08th Apr 2021 10:48

I see numerous references in this thread to "on the cloud". Up to now, I always thought that the usage was "in the cloud". When did this change?

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A Putey FACA
By Arthur Putey
08th Apr 2021 17:00

About the same time that clients started to "boss their business"

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By David Gordon FCCA
08th Apr 2021 15:03

Thank you DavyJonesLocker
The Cloud is not a subsidiary of Heaven or the fourth dimension. It is actually just a bl**dy great disc drive or two, situated in the back of beyond.
I have another problem with this kind of practice. The volume of stuff has increased exponentially during 2020. This is because most of us having been using our debit cards for stuff E:G; buying a newspaper. This means that the number of entries on some bank accounts has almost doubled. Coupled with this, some trade suppliers have taken to debiting the customer's bank account with each item purchased rather than one invoice. For example my plumber client buys twenty items on a visit to J**
Each item through the electronic till will appear as a separate d/d line on the bank account.
The effect that book-keeping time has enormously expanded, with a corresponding increase in dat held.

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Replying to David Gordon FCCA:
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By carnmores
08th Apr 2021 15:40

I disagree. Wth a manual system you may have a point but with open banking downloading is a doddle and the ability of software to remember which account to post to automatically saves lots of time . maybe if you are so concerned the till setup can be set to update bank once a day. Nick

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A Putey FACA
By Arthur Putey
08th Apr 2021 17:07

Hardly in this discussion has the client been mentioned. A major advantage of cloud is it makes it easier to collaborate with your clients, and if that means them bothering you with questions on how to do things that's fine, its called customer service. If you look at the end to end process you start to get it, and for all its traditional haters, the online offering from Sage contains all most small practices would need. Xero is trying to catch up, but their efforts with payroll and final accounts leave me a bit cold..

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Replying to Arthur Putey:
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By PERMON
07th May 2021 11:04

I'm late to this thread but note your comments on Sage's online offering. I'm considering it as an option as it seems to be more focused on the detailed Irish ( and UK where appropriate) VAT requirements than the others . There seems to be a lot of anti-SAGE sentiment on AWeb but I'm not sure why this should be so. Do you use it ?

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