Accounting systems
Thinking about setting up a manual or computerised system? (then read the first section) Or wondering how to improve on the system you already have? (then read the second section of this page.

Thinking about setting up a system?
You only have to ask someone who has moved from a manual system to a computerised accounts system to be reassured that they are worth having – and in fact for most businesses they are an essential tool in staying on top of the bookkeeping function. The ability to bring up a customer history showing the amount outstanding at the click of a mouse for example, shows how computers make bookkeeping an easier task. In fact for almost every business a computerised accounts system is an essential tool!

But which software package to go for? There are lots out there so what do we recommend. Perhaps unsurprisingly we don’t go for just one package but recommend depending upon your needs.

If you have a question about accounts software then speak to us first.

Free accounts software
If you have a small business you might feel that a sophisticated software package is more than you need. Well firstly, you can get inexpensive but cut down versions of Sage or Quickbooks and that is always worth considering. But also you may like to consider using a spreadsheet based system.

And that is where our own free spreadsheet package – Easy Stuff That Works – may be appropriate. This package is provided free of charge to our clients and provides an excellent way of dealing with bookkeeping for smaller businesses.

If you would like a copy of Easy Stuff That Works then please contact the office.

Should I have an online based system?
Until recently all computerised accounts packages worked on the computer on your desk.  But the power and ease of access of the internet has brought about the introduction of ‘cloud based’ or online packages.   Most of the software houses have brought out a online version, with varying degrees of success.  Before signing up to use one it is worth while asking us and asking for a good demonstration from the software house.   One issue with cloud based software is the speed and efficiency of your internet connection.   Remember a bad internet connection will render the best of online systems slow and inefficient;  where are you going to be when you connect to the online system and what is your internet connection like in that place or places?

Wondering how you can improve your current system?
Well there are a plethora of different accounting systems to choose from … and according to the different salesmen each one is the best! So how do you decide?  I think that the first thing to do is to make a list of what your current system doesn’t do that you want it to do. Once you have identified the issues you may find that somebody has already developed an add-on tool that fits the bill – and an add-on tool is a much less disruptive event than a completely new system.

But if you need a completely new system then research and plan for the change. Spend time looking at reference sites, speak to other businesses who use it and most importantly to other businesses who have recently installed it.

And which system to use … well it is far too complicated a topic to give instant advice, but … have a look at the following and then let us get one of our software consultants to speak to you.

• Sage does more than just Line50 and has several good mid-range software products
• Access is another extremely well thought of product
• Pegasus Opera has a following of dedicated fans
• Exchequer from Iris has been getting lots of good reviews
• Kashflow is a good online or cloud based system
• Quickbooks has a lot going for it. It was already a good system and they revamped and updated it in 2010 to be even better.