Forum

• # 110076
• Sat 29 Aug 2015 09:52 PM

Has anyone used this software for clients? Would you recommend this software at all or any other cheaper alternatives to Sage & Quickbooks software. As I am a new starter I want to keep initial costs to a minimum but also I don't want to use a cloud system for the moment.  Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Grace

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• # 110084
• Mon 31 Aug 2015 03:03 PM

Grace,

I have used/played with Turbocash for over 7 years, mostly to keep tabs on my personal finances, but stopped using it when I started my practice.

It is not software that I would be comfortable using with VAT registered clients as the "tax" module is not really geared for UK VAT. It also does not appear on the HMRC tested software list (see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-returns-and-ec-sales-list-commercial-software-suppliers/vat-commercial-software-suppliers ). Having said that, neither does VT Transaction+ which is one of the most recommended multi-company packages and the one I use for my practice.

Regards,

Paul

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• # 110088
• Mon 31 Aug 2015 07:27 PM

Paul,

Thank you very much for replying and telling me about the HMRC tested software list.  That is good to know that the tax module on turbo cash isn't really geared for UK tax so I will probably use it for my own accounts and for playing around on.

VT Transaction is mentioned a lot, I will have a look at this.  Sage is so pricey it is out of my budget, I had considered Quickbooks but I will take a look at VT Transaction as it has been recommended.

Grace

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• # 110089
• Mon 31 Aug 2015 08:43 PM

Hi Grace

If you don't want to go to the cloud (Quick file is free !!!). Then realistically, VT is your only option, it does an awful lot and is the mainstay of accounting practices (Alongside Sage 50 for the ones that bought years ago when it was cheap). You also see job adverts for VT experience (have a look at Aweb and BKN).

Regards

Trevor

PS - I know Solar is an option but desupported

• Failure is only the opportunity to Begin again, only this time more Wisely. Henry Ford

  Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. Robert Collier

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• # 110097
• Tue 01 Sep 2015 10:07 PM

A word of warning about VT.  I recommended it to a couple of my clients early on because I could then bring their books directly into the Accounts Production software, and the cashbook version for the client is free, BUT it does need the user to understand double entry bookkeeping. In the end it cost me a lot of wasted extra time that I wasn't able to bill for to put right the work that the client had done before I could use the data.

...and I am a great advocate of Quickbooks Online.  Particularly since they have free training sessions, and are now putting lots of focus onto Bookkeepers rather than accountants in their training programme.  

I am interested to know why you don't want to go into the Cloud...

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• # 110203
• Sun 13 Sep 2015 04:27 PM

Thank you Trevor and Another 42 for your helpful responses. 

I have some experience working as a bookkeeper some (7 years) ago now and I was used to using Sage and Quickbooks. I think because I am quite nervous about starting a business I think I want to stay within my comfort zone which is probably why I am reluctant to use cloud software. 

It sounds as though cloud software is the way it is all going so perhaps I should bite the bullet! I would like to start as I mean to go on so I'm weighing it all up before jumping in. 

Would you you say cloud software is the way to go? 

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• # 110204
• Sun 13 Sep 2015 04:55 PM

Well ...... the world, would say yes, the cloud is the way to go (software suppliers are running to the cloud for pay as you go software ie Adobe, Sage and Microsoft ... to make money and prevent software piracy). Do you have 100% high speed broadband ? Check you can have free access to your data etc !!!

BUT, the BUT is what your clients want .... you have the people that will drop their paper work off (in an old envelope) and the smart phone kids that take pictures of their recipts and email them to you !!!

Sage have upped their game and developing Sage One, at a pace that will make you bleed (updates every 3 weeks - lots of features soon) - They have some value packages on offer ie 50 free cash books etc. Theres a host of other vendors with pros and cons !!!

BUT the decision is youres ..... VT Cash book is free and VT Transaction + is £120 .... Quick File is free !!!

SO you could have a desktop solution for Free and a cloud solution for Free ....

Regards

Trevor

• Failure is only the opportunity to Begin again, only this time more Wisely. Henry Ford

  Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. Robert Collier

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• # 110205
• Sun 13 Sep 2015 06:38 PM

Thank you Trevor for another informative reply! I've heard a lot of good things about VT transaction, perhaps I should look into this further, thank you for letting me know about the free software too! 

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