Does anyone know the best Sage software I should use when setting up a book-keeping business to carry out accounts for sole traders? I want to have approx 10-20 clients and want to ensure I buy the best Sage accounts package. Does anyone also know about the new Sage One on-line facility? Thx in advance
If your clients are mainly sole traders then Sage may be more than they need and there are much cheaper alternatives such as VT Cashbook (downloaded for free) or simply using an Excel spreadsheet. Much faster to use and you can tailor it to your needs. I would talk any sole traders out of using Sage as it is so expensive and I presume that you are just starting out - this would be a major setting up expense. Just something to think about. Good luck with finding clients and don't be too disappointed if it takes longer than you expected. Do you come from a bookkeeping background?
Thanks for that advice, yes you are right - I am just starting out (or hoping too after getting final AAT result in a couple of weeks!). I already have a part-time job in an accounts dept in an electrical contractors but am interested in going self-employed starting one day a week (slow build). It's all a bit bewildering to know where to start!
Then I would definitely hold off buying Sage - it is great for large companies with hundreds of invoices every week, but most sole traders accounts can be done using an excel spreadsheet. Good luck with your results. You might want to try searching on here for setting up new business advice, there are loads of threads on here, all about the best software to use, fees to charge, money laundering, HMRC, Professional Indemnity insurance, etc. It is a little bewildering at first, but we've all been there
whilst VT Cashbook is good for end users for data entry of a days takings a bookkeeper who is serious about this as a profession should not really contemplate anything less than VT Transaction+ (otherwise there will be tears before bedtime when it comes to journal entries).
personally I use VT Accounts as you can push the data all the way through from VT Transaction+ to final accounts to ensure that all of your ends are tied up. However, that's really only if you are comfortable with preparing accounts.
Actually, as you mention that you're awaiting AAT finals I assume that you will be aiming for MAAT MIP so having the facility to prepare sole trader. limited company and partnership accounts with the software right from the get go will be a distinct advantage rather than having to buy more software later.
Have a read of the "convince me that I don't need Sage" thread that can be found here : http://www.book-keepers.org.uk/t43689388/convince-me-that-i-dont-need-sage/
It goes starts with a simple question but goes through many of the available packages that bookkeepers use and comes out with the conclusion that for small bookkeeping businesses VT Transaction+ / VT Accounts are generally well regarded peices of kit.
Hope that this helps,
kind regards,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks so much guys for your helpful input. I agree Shaun that I want to get the right software straight off and will look at all the advice provided - cheers guys!
There is no way I would buy Sage for a small business. Sage are a very good company but are best suited to their larger scale clients - I would focus on getting an easy to use cloud based accounting solution. There are plenty around that are great value for money and would do everything you need. Most importantly, many of these cloud based solutions have been designed with small business in mind so are very easy to use. I think Sage is difficult to use and overpriced.
I used Sage Accounts. its pretty good and widely used. it has lots of functionalities required for day to day transactions in a business. have a look in the following link to get a quick overview of sage accounts.
Does anyone know the best Sage software I should use when setting up a book-keeping business to carry out accounts for sole traders? I want to have approx 10-20 clients and want to ensure I buy the best Sage accounts package. Does anyone also know about the new Sage One on-line facility? Thx in advance
Personally I've only just bought sage, and it really stuck in my throat. It's expensive and clunky. For the life of me I don't understand why so many people still use it, but I've taken some work from a local accountant. They use sage and as they say, he who pays the fiddler calls the tune.
Mainly VT Transaction+. Believe me, it was a tough decision. I was at the point of knocking the work back just due to costs but we managed to negotiate a decent price for the work, but it will still take a few months to cover my costs.
