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• # 109055
• Wed 10 Jun 2015 10:38 PM

Hi All,

I apologise in advance, because I'm sure those in the know are probably sick of answering this question! I recently passed my Level III (old syllabus) and I'm currently studying the Level III Diploma Payroll Management, after which I'll be looking to upgrade my membership, apply for practice licence etc.

I'm finding the idea of setting up on my own quite daunting, especially the software side of things! I only have experience of SAGE but (aside from the cost, which is scary on its own) I have noticed that a lot of people seem to be keen on others - mostly quickbooks and xero from what I can see. Seems I might have to learn how to use these!

I obviously would need to be able to record my own business transactions (hopefully there will be some, other than expenses!!) and be able to create and use multiple client files in the longer term.

I wonder what experienced users' preferences are? In terms of how easy the software is to learn/use, and cost obviously?

Any advice would be great... Thank you!

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• # 109070
• Thu 11 Jun 2015 04:29 PM

Hi Lisa

Best of luck in your new career. Has to which software a lot of it is (apart from cost) personal choice, and also what type of practice/client base you want to attract. My advise is however, test some, have a couple of trials, even try some that are free eg, quickfile, vt cashbook, just get a feel for different software. Don't however commit until you have your first client (they may well have their own software or ideas of their own). If you like Sage you may want to stick with it, but just try a few and see what you think. Do you want desktop or are you going to be a practice solely in the cloud. Quickbooks online/Xero etc do free training. If their is a quickbooks online event near you, go to it. If you are a whizz on excel you can use that to start with anyway. As regards payroll, My PAYE is a PAYG option, Brightpay is fully autoenrolment ready, various cloud systems have payroll built in. Lots of people like moneysoft.  Have a play, see what suits the type of client you are targeting and very best of luck whatever you decide.

kind regards and very best wishes

Lainy 

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• # 109108
• Sat 13 Jun 2015 09:02 AM

Hi Lisa,

Don't be intimidated! There are so many options available and everyone has their own preference, it really is a matter of a little trial and error...

I use VT cashbook for general accounts prep as it is free and simple to use. When and if you feel the need for more functionality than it has, it can be upgraded to VT+ very easily which is still excellent value.

To submit SA returns I just use HMRC's own systems, perfectly acceptable. Even HMRC's Basic PAYE tool will do for the majority of small clients, and of course, both of these are free.

For my own accounts I use VT and a system of spreadsheets for now.

Xero is excellent in my opinion, I have a few clients using it and it is really simple to use and the training is free and excellent, it includes payroll for 1 person at the standard subscription. I also get a free account as I have client subscriptions, although I have yet to migrate myself over to it as my current system works fine for me.

I'm not sure if you will be preparing accounts that need to be submitted in IXBRL format but if so a combination of TopUpTax and IX2IXBRL seem to be the most cost effective solution if you only have a few to do, as you can pay just for each single submission instead of a yearly subscription.

Lots to think about, but I have to say I can only think of 1 or 2 accountants or bookkeepers I have come across that have bothered to invest in software like Sage, too expensive and unneccessary!

Good luck :)

• keep it simple...

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• # 109132
• Mon 15 Jun 2015 09:47 PM

Hi Lainy/juiceb,

Thank you both for replying to me, I will have a look at what you've said and do a bit of research.

I'm currently creating a templates on Excel, as where I worked a while back all accounts prep was done on Excel using client records and it wasn't a bad way to do it. I'm also going to look at the other free options in the near future as well though, certainly until I get myself sorted and see what individual clients require. I guess it makes sense not to get ahead of myself. I don't want to start incurring expenses if I don't have to!

Thanks again, much appreciated :)

Lisa

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• # 109144
• Tue 16 Jun 2015 02:13 PM

hi,

after trying different s/ws, i selected the sage instant v21. its good s/w that fulfill the all of needs for giving examination. 

the cost is only £ 12 pm. u can have good practice for number of companies by deleting the data for existing company. for further guidance u can

contact me at khalid_ayub368@yahoo.com

khalid.

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• # 109147
• Tue 16 Jun 2015 06:18 PM

Hi Lisa

Best of luck whatever you choose. You will be fine. Khalid yes sage instant is great for exams, but you do realise that its not mutlti company, so you can't actually use it for clients. you can keep changing it to do the exams etc, but it is only for your own use, unless you pay for a client version.

Solar is also a very popular choice and they now have a cloud verion too. Anyway experience and decide when you actually need to for a client. Yes keep it simple

kind regards and very best wishes

Lainy 

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