I use this as my software of choice. I have used it for years & years which is why I continue to use it. I have also used Iris, MYOB and Quickbooks and looked at VT
There are members and even moderators :) on here who are not that keen (something of an understatement) on Sage but I like it. Yes it is expensive but I think it would cost me a lot more in lost man hours for the time it would take me to learn my way around a new piece of software as well as I do Sage.
Marky65 wrote:There are members and even moderators :) on here who are not that keen (something of an understatement) on Sage
Could he mean me?
lol Mark,
Actually, it's a sound piece of software (although not as forgiving of mistakes as some competitors).
My real issue / protest is with Sage licencing which equates to an annual client tax.
I thought that at some stage I was going to need to use Sage but so far so good and I've currently got my clients on VT which charges once for the software regardless as to whether I have one or one hundred clients.
That said, I know that there are some clients who demand that one uses Sage and if I got one of those I would have to make a call as to whether their business was worth the investment.
That said, I would not knock anyone for using sage, my annoyance is really aimed firmly at Sage licencing so I always make sure that when people are just setting up that they know that there are credible alternatives... Including my favorite VT although I do appreciate that software isn't for everyone and it's certainly not the prettiest software on the market.
all the best,
Shaun.
__________________
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.
I must be becoming ill as I was almost nice to Sage in that last post...
Sure that you've seen it already but there's a thread on the site that discusses various software options and it became one that really should be a sticky as it's got that much useful and diverse information in it.
Don't go on the thread titlem there are actually very good arguements both for and against Sage in that thread along with all of th other main packages that we use.
Have fun with it,
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
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.
I'm a Sage girl through and through, although I have been persuaded to use QB over the past couple of years which I have slowly got used to. I keep hearing good things about VT but haven't a clue how it looks or works. Anyone know where I can find an online demo so I can get a flavour of it? Or an online Dummies Guide?
They have the option at the bottom to download VTaccounts (final accounts package) and VTTransactions+ (bookkeeping package) free for 60 days.
Like many on here i use
1. VTaccounts for final accounts
2. Taxcalc for tax returns
3. SAGE for bookkeeping
I should look into using VTTransactions+ for bookkeeping but dont have the time to sit down and see how it all works but hopefully will do so before SAGE renewal next year.
If someone could run a VTTransactions+ course now that would be something i would give up a day to go on.
I have the 25 client package and pay about £80 month (not sure if over 10, 11 or 12 months) but even if over 12 that is £960 (inc VAT).
I like using SAGE having a background in SAGE and also teaching it. (though you wil find loads on here who hate it due to price, features etc).
Everyone here will try to put across their preferences. Some like VT, others Qbooks, other Xero and so on.
At the end of the day will come down to price and what you are comfortable using.
Regards
MarkS
Hi MarkS,
Thanks for your contribution.
The Sage sales person told me that this is for 5 clients.
This is what they sent me:"Below are the prices we discussed earlier:
Product
1st Year Price
2nd Year Price
Sage Accountants Club Professional Premier 5 Companies
1,045.00
1,045.00
Sage Accountants Club Professional Premier 10 Companies
1,150.00
1,150.00
Sage Accountants Club Professional Premier 25 Companies
1,230.00
1,230.00
All prices exclude postage & vat."
Apparently, this should include Payroll as well.
I prefer Sage to other small business accounting softwares, and I used most of them, just because I think Sage gives a good structure and has audit trail.
MarkS, for which version of Sage are you paying those £80pm? And where did you get it? Would you be able to share contact details for the supplier?
JulieS wrote:Do you use Sage payroll for the payroll?
12pay is much cheaper.
I know that there are clients who demand the use of Sage for their accounts but I don't believe that such is true of their Payroll demands unless you are using their system in which case you would not need to purchase it anyway.
Just throwing an idea in there that might save you a few hundred,
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
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.
Thank you Shaun! 12pay? I have not even heard of such a software. I will definitely check it out.
If you have any queries about 12Pay be sure to let me know, Julie.
We have around 1,000 practices and payroll bureaus using our software, in addition to about 5,000 companies who do their own payroll with it. We've only been around for about 4 years so that's probably why you haven't heard of us. We're small (compared with a giant corporation like Sage) but growing fast.
The Sage sales person told me that this is for 5 clients.
This is what they sent me:"Below are the prices we discussed earlier:
Product
1st Year Price
2nd Year Price
Sage Accountants Club Professional Premier 5 Companies
1,045.00
1,045.00
Sage Accountants Club Professional Premier 10 Companies
1,150.00
1,150.00
Sage Accountants Club Professional Premier 25 Companies
1,230.00
1,230.00
All prices exclude postage & vat."
Apparently, this should include Payroll as well.
I prefer Sage to other small business accounting softwares, and I used most of them, just because I think Sage gives a good structure and has audit trail.
MarkS, for which version of Sage are you paying those £80pm? And where did you get it? Would you be able to share contact details for the supplier?
Many thanks.
I think you can buy Sage Client Manager for 25 companies for £750+VAT (without joining the Sage Accountants Club and without buying Sage Payroll). http://shop.sage.co.uk/accountsclientmanager.aspx
(I think the price must have just recently increased, because when I looked last week, it was £700+VAT)
You have to go direct to Sage for the client manager version of the software.
