I have found an Excell based software by Mr Spreadsheet...I have looked at the screen shots and read up about it in great detail. It seems to everthing that i will need...Vat returns, Self assesment returns, double entry, reconcilling system. It uses one work sheet a month for 12 months...it is £35.00 for a year licence and only for 1 company. That is the only downfall, although the price is pretty damn good i think! I am starting up in January and have 1 client waiting who doesnt want his books done on Sage. I am wondering if there is another Excell based software that takes a few companies and is reasonably affordable that anyone has come across OR if any one has used this Mr Spreadsheet software.
I know there is a few posts regarding this kind of question but cant find an answer!
I've not used Mr Spreadsheet - but I have long used Simply Books which does everything you want for small business accounting, is very quick and easy to use, and costs £99.99 in a one-off fee. That's after 3 months free usage. Support is £40 per year after the first year (again, check the details in case I'm wrong). You can use it for as many companies as you like - separate or interconnected. It's not the only alternative but it is one I can suggest you look at from personal experience. the website is simplybooks.net
Hi Jas, be careful with spreadsheets to do bookkeeping. Make sure they have the proper checks and controls in them such as bank reconciliation and the ability to lock bank recons and vat return periods otherwise you will be asking for trouble from the "tax man". HMRC will have a great time if an investigation is required. There are a lot of inexpensive bookkeeping software out. They have all these checks and controls and reporting capabilities.
Can I suggest you take a look at Fusion Accounts. Fusion has been accredited by the ICB.
It will allow you to access your clients accounts from any location, all you need is internet access. Also backups are automatic and no installation of software is required.
Whilst I think "Online Bookkeeping" is slowly becoming the norm and I do like the "Anywhere Access", I am wary of anything online as you have little control over the data that is out there and obviously if you lose your internet connection or their servers go down etc.. then you are stuffed until it is fixed.
I'm not sure if the software has offline capabilities, but I would feel better knowing that if I am unable to access online, I can carry on offline and then when its back up, the data is auto sync'd to online and you carry on as normal.
Unfortunately, Bookkeeping or Accounting online isn't something you can go out and do in a cyber cafe or library as I think this is very unprofessional and their is the risk of exposing your clients info.
