First off I'd like to apologise if this has been covered before, I have searched back through a few pages but couldn't see any obvious postings on this subject.
OK, here's the situation. I became a self employed bookkeeper in July and so far have had absolutely no luck in getting any clients. Finally I have interest from someone looking for a bookkeeper but he wants to set up both his shops on Sage 50 which Barclays have given him for a resonable monthly fee.
My problem is this, i don't have Sage software and therefore in order to work for him I would need to get a copy. I am a Barclays business customer and could get Sage 50 for £30 (+ VAT) per month, however I would only be earning £60 per month from the new client. Also if I wanted to use the software for any new clients I would have to pay an additional £5 ( +VAT) per month for each company.
From the information I can get on various websites I can get a copy of Sage 50 for approx £300 + VAT, however this is for one company. If I wanted to use this for other clients (or myself) I would need to purchase a multi company license from Sage at £250 + VAT per company!
HELP....how do self employed bookkeepers work for numerous companies all using Sage. Am I missing something?
Hi Kelly, I am in a similar position have my first client interested who wants sage 50 also, was gutted to learn that Sage have stopped doing the Book-keepers club where you could get 5 companies for around £650. They have replaced with Accountants club which is closer to £1k :o(
The Barclays deal doesn't sound too bad but understand what you mean about working for half the price!
Sorry no help but will be watching this thread to see if there are any other suggestions!
I was gutted too when I found out they stopped the bookkeepers club, it is still on their website but I was told over the phone by sage that they had stopped.
I have had the same problem with software so I am giving quickbooks a go for now even though I am used to working on sage.
Does it have to be Sage 50? I have just purchased Sage Instant Accounts v16 for £90. As you can only use one company on it I am saving it for another client
I have got both QB's and Sage instants on my machine. QB's is great when you get you get use to it, its much more user friendly than sage, although I was trained on sage orginally. It was cost that put me off SAGE. Sage instants is OK but like you say its for one client only.
So do you have to be a Barclays business account holder to get the SAGe from them????? Do they own the license or do you? The reason for asking is I am about to change my Bank account and was thinking about Barlcays as theres one close to us. Does it have to be a business account or a normal current account?
Can you not work at the shops where the Sage is so to saved on buying the package yourself?
Thanks for all your comments, its nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem. It's so frustrating all I want to do is a little bit of part time bookkeeping to supplement my husbands wage so that I can stay at home with my children! It would take me ages to earn back any software expense not to mention the advertising I've already paid for.
My client has the software on his laptop so I will have to see if he is happy for me to work on his laptop from home.
Amanda - In answer to your questions, yes you have to be a Barclays Business customer. Copy and paste this link for the details of their different packages :
http://www.clearlybusiness.co.uk/our-products/
I'm not sure how long you have to sign up for but the license is in your company name.
If anyone else has any solutions please feel free to comment.
Thanks Kelly
Another question i have - is Sage instant compatible with Sage 50? could I work on Sage instant on my computer and then provide the data to an accountant or client with Sage 50?
-- Edited by KHagland on Saturday 16th of October 2010 12:37:13 PM
KHagland wrote:Another question i have - is Sage instant compatible with Sage 50? could I work on Sage instant on my computer and then provide the data to an accountant or client with Sage 50?
-- Edited by KHagland on Saturday 16th of October 2010 12:37:13 PM
Yep, no problem.
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