[Ian Gourlay]

Who uses this system , Do you find it straight forward. Is it suitable for Carpet Cleaners

[Neil Worsnop]

I use one of the Sage accounts packages.  Instant accounts which I think is the base version.  I got a local bookkeeper to come round and set it up for me and show me how to work it.  That was well worth a few hours of her time to save me pulling my hair out.

I don't bother with the quoting / invoicing options for example but where it beats a simple spreadsheet hands down is the numerous options for reviewing your figures by date or seemingly any other parameter you can think of.

Just remember to back it up before and after making changes. (I'll not do that again!).

[Emil Dinev]

Ian, I use FreeAgent software. It's brilliant. You can do quotes and invoices, report RTI to HMRC and do your payroll. It also keeps you on track with how much corporation tax you owe. It's very simple to use and is cloud based software so no worries about updating and backing up.
I can provide you with a link for 10% discount, I mean both me and you get the discount 
Also if you get 10 people to use it, it becomes completely free for you! Your No 9 

[Ian Gourlay]

Hi Emil
I did use Freeware software called Turbo Accounts but decided as Sage appeared to be used by Accountants and as I am also starting other business I thought it would be best to have The Best Software which can be expanded as I need it.

I would have been intersted but I am sure you will soon find another two or three people.
Ps we now friends on FaceBook

[*Hector*]

Ian....

Do you have a copy of sage??

[John Kelly]

We had to use Sage some time back as a condition of sub contract work we did, what a nightmare system.
We now use VT+ absolutely brilliant.

[Nick Attwood]

Personally use KashFlow - http://kf.cm/15geWhu having used a few over the years have found this to be one of the most advanced and easiest to use with constant improvements implemented

[Matt Gibson]

We had to use Sage some time back as a condition of sub contract work we did, what a nightmare system.
We now use VT+ absolutely brilliant.

We use VT too. Great and easy to use.

[Ian Gourlay]

Sorry to thick, I have never heard of VT

[Len Gribble]

Ian

They run a discussion group just us on the forum

[Emil Dinev]

Hi Emil
I did use Freeware software called Turbo Accounts but decided as Sage appeared to be used by Accountants and as I am also starting other business I thought it would be best to have The Best Software which can be expanded as I need it.

I would have been intersted but I am sure you will soon find another two or three people.
Ps we now friends on FaceBook

Ian, I think you misunderstood me. FreeAgent is not free of charge  it costs £25 + VAT per month and it's brilliant IMO. Now I haven't got much experience with such software so can't really compare the two.
Also their customer service is second to none, I wanted my invoice colour theme changed as the templates have limited colour choice and they altered a few times over a week until I was happy
Anyways, good software and worth having a look at http://fre.ag/42ug644b

Cheers
Emil

[Matt Gibson]

http://www.vtsoftware.co.uk/index.html

[Ian Rochester]

Been using Quickbooks for 7 years now, very simple to use lots of good reports, perfect for us as you can run several company's off the one licence

[*Hector*]

Ian..

you never answered my question..

Do you have sage?

[Ian Gourlay]

Sorry Hector, not being mean but only just got it so do not want to start pirating it until i sure my user licence is OK, because I will need multiple use

[*Hector*]

I didn't ask because I wanted a copy...

I have line 50 version which lets you run 50 different businesses, was going to offer you it if you didn't have the program..

 

[Ian Gourlay]

Hi hector

I had line 50 but it was one I pirated about 12 years ago from a bear shop

[Tony Stewart]

Hi Ian

Sage is a double entry bookkeeping system which means that accountants use this method to determine profit and loss and assets and liabilities. It's a format that they are comfortable with. However it's a complicated system to master and the savings in terms of how much it will knock off an accountants bill would be marginal. What most carpet cleaners need is the back of an envelope in terms of sales and costs. Split into the right categories on say quicken, Microsoft money or any of the other financial packages would probably be sufficient. I appreciate that other people may want the full bells and whistles but if you are under the threshold of VAT and a one man operation I would keep it simple.
Sage is one basic program of which Sage Line 50 is exactly the same as instant accounts extra and then instant accounts. The only difference is that each package has less features on it from reports to stock etc.
 As a for instance the customer list would have to be set up for every customer and is really time consuming. We all know that some customers may be regulars but many may not be and instant accounts won't give you the flexibility you need to send out letters etc. For that you would need to couple it up with Sage ACT! as a tracking database.................
Sorry for the long boring dissertation but without being rude do KISS. Keep It Simple St*pid.(not you!!!)
Regards

Tony

[wynne jones]

Go and have a read through the odd forum for accountants. You will see a lot rate VT and some even think most businesses could use a free spreedsheet template.

[Ian Gourlay]

Thank you Tony for your considered reply

I did buy Sage on Impluse as I wanted to improve my systems, and as I hope to become more retail focused rather than a service provider over next year or two I thought this would be a good stepping stone.