Accounts / invoicing software

Adam,  Try this site http://www.comparesoftwareforbusiness.co.uk/ they are 4Networking members

Really?

I would quite easily argue that as we deal with a wide range of businesses and have to have an understanding how they operate we are in the perfect place to advise businesses. 

I wouldn't profess to be a marketing, distribution, procurement expert but can give some basic advice and point people in the right direction!

And I can easily provide general accounting advice all the way up to final accounts but I don't call myself an accountant as I am only part trained. Mind you I have run two food production factories and been responsible for 700 employees, negotiated with trade unions and supermarkets. I have installed major financial systems and associated procedures in a large number of hospitals, government agencies, universities, manufacturing and service organisations. I have steered companies in eastern Europe from being state owned to private enterprise. But I don't call myself an accountant.

I suspect most small businesses are perfectly capable of knowing most of the basic advice needed for marketing, distribution and procurement and are able to obtain expert advice where required. An accountant who doesn't have a deep knowledge of marketing, a deep knowledge of distribution or a deep knowledge of procurement should not be advising a business in these areas, especially if they charge too.

It goes back to the old adage, those that can do, those that can't .............

SFEDI is a set of standards for Business Advisors.

http://www.dbanavigator.co.uk/about-sfedi-page13.htm

Are you a SFEDI accredited Business Advisor?

If not, what standards do you adhere to?

Ouch. Do I detect a raw nerve?

No sense in having a pop at me, it isn't me that is trying to be something I'm not. As indicated earlier, I'm the one with a track record in the areas that I operate.

As for qualifications, I have more letters after my name than in my name.

As I said, those that can do, those that can't .......... deflect?

Gary

Its pity there are plenty of unqualified people who would call themselves accountants, but that is a different matter!

In fairnes yiu are correct but I guess it comes down to the definition of a 'business advisor'. There are plenty of other similar glorified names.

What does that even mean?!

And the thread started out so well! Here I woz busy taking notes on all these small business accounting packages!        ;))

O.Kaaay... Thanks again for your input guy's. I am going to have a look at a few.

I use Kashflow it is a cloud service with a monthly subscription, very easy to integrates with dropbox for storing documents etc.

Just added a button to my email invoices to take payments online included direct debits only took about 2 minutes to do.

You can start a free trial clicking  http://bit.ly/lZKxLs

cheers Shaun

Hi

I have been running with Solar accounts for the past year, I chose this software purely for the price and its capabilities, as a start up business i did not want to jump in at the deep end with the so called big boys software. Tbh i am relatively happy with this and dont see my self anytime soon taking a jump to another package. I allows me to run more than one business and the accountant I produce reports for is more than happy.

its a win win for me!

Hope you find the one that suits you!

Regards Hayley

I have a lot of time for Solar accounts. It is a great package. Comprehensive, does everything most businesses want, British designed i.e. VAT is not added as an after thought. We used to major with the MYOB package and Solar is very similar in terms of ease of use. I like it a lot.

Gary

It maybe abit off subject but what is people thoughts on sage. As I believe it costs more, would that translate to it being any better value.

I sell Sage because, with that share of the market, it isn't something I could ignore.

I have always likened it to a piece of software that has been written by accountants for accountants but now they let mere mortals buy and use it. It is a good piece of software, not the most stable of software, corrupted databases have to be sent to them for correction, and your accountant will not object if you buy it. It is functional and does the job. Because of the sometimes flaky nature of the database, I would recommend that any user takes the annual support option.

Because there are so many users of the software, there are a large number of third party applications, often industry specific, that integrate with Sage.

It has many fans, including me sometimes, but I feel that there are many others that are easier to use.

Gary

I'm using GnuCash which is open-source and totally free. It has its eccentricities, but don't we all? I've recommended it to a few non-accountants and they say they're happy with it.

Adam,

I would strongly recommend XERO - We made that decision last year and havent looked back.  It is great especially if you take the direct bank feeds.

Good luck!

Simon