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• # 73550
• Wed 10 Aug 2011 07:45 PM

Hello everyone,

Out of all the accounting software i.e. Sage, Quickbooks, TAS software, Bank Link etc which one would you start to purchase?

Moreover, should I purchase more than one accounting software?

Please can someone advise me on the two questions above.

Kind regards

David

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• # 73552
• Wed 10 Aug 2011 07:58 PM

David.

My view is this -

The software you use will be firstly client driven. So if you have a number of clients who use Sage then you will have to go in that direction.

After that it comes down to personal preference and then for your second question it is a matter of cost.

I haven't had any non legal clients who had their own software (my main source of income has been from the legal profession where bespoke software is a must).

When I became freelance twelve years ago I had a look at off the shelf packages, primarily for my own accounts. Based on cost at the time I chose the QuickBooks route and it has lasted me well. I have only recently moved from Pro 2006 to Pro 2010 and that was really due to changing my operating system to Windows 7. But I have not had any problems with QB.

My understanding (and I might be wrong) is that Sage is more expensive and needs to be changed more often - but then again I believe that it is more widely used than other software.

You may find that you don't need more than one package - if you are working off site you could just have the one and if you work on site your client may have their own copy on their system.

Having said all that - I now need to learn Sage by January!!

Geoff

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• # 73553
• Wed 10 Aug 2011 08:14 PM

Hello Geoff,

Thank you for the quick reply and more importantly the helpful advice I shall now pursue.

David

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• # 73563
• Thu 11 Aug 2011 09:11 AM

I currently us VT Transaction+ for most of my clients, however have recenlty taken some work from a local accountant who only uses Sage which has meant I have had to purchase it.  That really sticks in my throat as I think sage is really really overpriced for what it is.

Kris  

• Kris McCulloch
  www.ayrshireaccountancy.co.uk
  
  Winner - BKN Most Innovative Accountancy Firm 2012
  
  Latest Blog Post: Bookkeepers Award 2015

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• # 73564
• Thu 11 Aug 2011 09:55 AM

Hello Kris,

Thank you for your input. It seems to me accounting software is client driven and consequently I will decide on the software my clients prefer.

Kind regards

David

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• # 73727
• Fri 19 Aug 2011 08:24 PM

kjmcculloch said:

“I currently us VT Transaction+ for most of my clients, however have recenlty taken some work from a local accountant who only uses Sage which has meant I have had to purchase it.  That really sticks in my throat as I think sage is really really overpriced for what it is.

Kris  ”

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• # 73734
• Sat 20 Aug 2011 03:37 PM

Hello Kris,

Thanks for your input. Sage is definitely over-priced, however, I have decided that TAS software is the one I will pursue in the future. TAS software was recommended to me via a local accountant. I want to be closely linked to what accountants use, hence this justifying my decision.

Nevertheless, I believe accounting software is client driven in many parts of the country these days. This is my opinion, however, other bookkeepers will tell me different.

Thank you anyway.

Kind regards

David

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• # 73738
• Sat 20 Aug 2011 07:20 PM

Hi David,

I used to do my own business accounts (in a previous business, not this one) on Tas Books following my accountants advice, and used it in a subsequent job up until last year.  Now I use Sage Instants and I find it far superior, and quicker to bulk input data and generate reports.  A single copy of TAS Books and a single copy of Sage Instants are about the same, I seem to recall.    If I had to choose between them Sage would win hands down.

• Debbie
  www.beckcottage.com
  
  

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• # 73744
• Sun 21 Aug 2011 06:28 PM

Hello Debsie,

Thank you for your input. I will take Sage Instants into consideration. Your recommendation has swayed me from TAS Books to Sage but I will now wait until my first client recommends me the software to use.

Thanks again.

Kind regards

David

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