Looking at software & was just wondering if anyone can say what the limitations are with Sage Instant over 50? Only planning on running small self-employed bookkeeping business. Is this suitable for having multiple business accounts?
Sage Instant is totally unsuitable - it's a one company system.
Sage 50 can be multiple company, but it can work out expensive - especially if only one of the companies you use it for needs anything more than the basic version, Accounts. (I have three companies in mine, but only one - my own - uses Project Manager, which means I'm paying for three companies in Accounts Plus when two of them don't really need it.)
It would actually work out much cheaper for me to buy a new laptop to use for each of those two companies, and buy a copy of Sage Instant for each - but that then brings with it a new set of problems. I am, however, giving serious thought to that option.
There's also the version of Sage for accountants and bookkeepers, which I believe is only available to Sage Accountants Club members - but I'm not a member, so don't have it. I gather it allows many more companies, but I've no idea what its features are.
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Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software
(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)
I have recently got this and am paying up something like £80 per month over 10 months.
It is a 25 company version so you can have 25 different files on it.
It is compliant with all versions up to SAGE 50.
They also give you a stand alone version of SAGE 50 and SAGE payroll to use and show clients when out at their premises as to how it works and try to get them to use it.
You also get things like 20% of SAGE store prices.
I currently have 4 clients who i do bookkeeping for plus my own accounts so suits my needs with the opportunity to easily take on additional clients over the next year.
Okay - must remember that name; Sage Client Manager.
£80 / month over 10 months for up to 25 companies is a bit better value than the £1000+ SageCover Extra renewal I have for Sage 50 Accounts Plus for three companies!
The annoying thing is, one of those three companies is mine - and it's only for that one that I need it to be Accounts Plus (I use Project Manager), so I'm paying for facilities I need for mine, but don't need for the other two.
When you say it's 'compliant' with Sage 50, what does it actually offer in terms of features itself - does it have the same extensive reporting facilities?
E.g. for one of my installed companies, I email the director a detailed list of o/s sales invoices which he uses for chasing debtors: A modified version of one of the "Customer invoices due" reports. I also email remittance advices to suppliers who are paid by BACS, straight out of Sage. And of course, there are my own needs - such as the Project Manager.
(Not sure why I'm asking - I don't think I can join Sage Accountants Club anyway, and therefore can't get it as an alternative).
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Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software
(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)
If memory serves, it's only available to people with certain accounting qualifications or who belong to some relevant body. Neither of which applies to me.
I'll take another look later, though, in case I'm misremembering. Even if I am, though, and I can indeed get it, I won't switch to it until the latest year of SageCover runs out, which will be next April - subject to it being capable of doing the things I need.
By which time I might have become so fed up with Sage I might have started rolling my own software for my own use anyway, and possibly to flog into an already saturated market.
(I'm more than capable of doing it - and I can then taylor it to exactly my needs. It's "just" a question of finding the time.)
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Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software
(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)
Okay, I decided to look immediately, and their site says:
"Please note your practice must be a certified member of an Accountancy body to use this software."
http://shop.sage.co.uk/accountsclientmanager.aspx
For what it's worth, the last time I looked was late last year when I had a little argument with Sage after they - incorrectly - accused me of being in breach of their licence.
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Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software
(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)
The wording says your practice must be a member, not you individually so I assume that it's only available when you've got a practicing certificate from the ICB, Not only membership of the ICB.
HTH,
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.
