Accounting Software

[Cran]

Anyone using free accounting software?

I'm now Self Employed and need to keep records and pay tax and stuff, so looking for a very simple accounting package.

Don't have any employees, and not vat registered.

I could just use excel, but let me know if you have any recommendations.

Thanks

 

[rtbcomp]

I don't know about free stuff. I used Sage Line 50 when I ran a company, but now I'm self-employed again I use Lotus 1-2-3.

 

[nickburt]

I just use Excel and keep a monthly record of all transactions etc...

 

[daf45]

I'd recommend Peter Last on Newmarket Road, or Alan Kindred from Fulbourn.
Well worth it. PM me if you want their details.

 

[marknotgeorge]

There's two or three decent free accounting packages out there. Normally the basic software is free to download, but you pay for extra features and/or support. Two to look at are TurboCash and the related osFinancials. Microsoft have recently launched Office Accounting, and the Express version is free.

My wife just uses Excel at the moment. As I'm at college doing AAT (accounting technician), I'm trying to get her accounts on a package, to gain extra experience. I'm wavering between a downloaded copy of Sage (which is what I use at college) and Office Accounts.

 

[migmag]

I just used an accountant.

Kept all my recipes and bank statements and made a trip to her office once a month.

Best money I ever spent.

A good accountant will save/make you a fortune.........

 

[marknotgeorge]

A good accountant will save/make you a fortune.........

I'm hoping that being an accountant will make me a fortune

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

pretty much the same for me.

Although to keep it quicker and easier for the accountant, and so cheaper for me, I listed everything in a simple spreadsheet.

One column for income and about a dozen columns for outgoings, stock, fuel, market fees, phone, etc.

It took about 20 minutes a week but I only sent my accounts in once a year as I was a part-timer.

The accountant charged me around £200 but always got me a tax-refund around a grand and once it was close to £2000.

Regards
Peter

 

[rtbcomp]

.......Kept all my recipes ..........A good accountant will save/make you a fortune.........

Cooking the books then!

Unfortunately I got a bad accountant. They failed to notice that I was claiming VAT on postage and never provided me with end of year journal corrections. In my first year I issued 40 invoices and they charged me £400 + VAT!

If you use a common package like Sage, Excel 1-2-3 &c you should just be able to pass your end of year backup to your accountant and he'll do all the adjustments, print reports for the taxman &c.

Go for the local one man firm, not a posh outfit.

And be wary of paying an accountant a £1.00 to save 10p tax!

 

[weldequip]

I'm hoping that being an accountant will make me a fortune

Should do. I only hear from mine once a year, after his substantial regular monthly payments... and that's to tell me how much tax I can't afford to pay!!
weldequip

 

[restorer]

Try Quickbooks Simple Start Free You get limited customer accounts but for a small business it's good enough.