Which bookkeeping software do I choose; sage or quickbooks? - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

David Rosario · Veteran Member

Which bookkeeping software do I choose; sage or quickbooks?

semsley · Guru

David

I don't fully understand what you mean by not accepting new companies - is it single company rather than multi-company?

If you are wanting multi-company the best option would be for Quickbooks as you can have as many companies as you want on the one purchase but only for a single user. It also cheaper than Sage. Buy the hard copy version because the cloud (online) version is on a monthly fee.

hth

Sheila

David Rosario · Veteran Member

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for your quick reply. You suggested Quickbooks, but what version Quickbooks Pro, Quickbooks Premier?

I just want a good bookkeeping software that will cater for me working on more than one client.

Kind regards

David

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

If your hearts set on Sage I have Sage 50 2010 that I never used, you're welcome to it for £100.

Kris

semsley · Guru

Hi David

Unless you are thinking of taking on very large companies Pro should cover all your needs. I lied a little when I said you could have as many companies as you wished I believe it's actually 99 but that should do you for some time!!

Btw don't use their Payroll because that's on monthly payments and works out very expensive.

Sheila

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

Actually, reading the question again, you're looking for a multi company version. I'm with Sheila, go for quickbooks. I joined the pro advisor programme for about £33 per month. For that you get a copy of quickbooks pro and premier, payroll and support for the year as well as the pro advisor training they have released and your name on their website.

Of course you can also buy just the software from PC world or Amazon, depends what extras you want.

Kris

GJRobbins · Senior Member

Hi

For me it is Sage all the way - You may be eligible to join the Sage accountant club, though this is about £695 per year which will include version updates, priority cover and discount on client purchases amongst other things

more info here from Sage direct

This package includes Sage 50 Accounts Client manager which I think is 25 companies - I would give them a call to understand everything available before considering Quickbooks.

Hope that helps - all you Sage haters please dont judge me... haha

Jeremy

semsley · Guru

I'm not a Sage hater, I just think that Quickbooks is better value for money and its reporting is far superior to that of Sage.

GJRobbins · Senior Member

Also for anyone considering Payroll - you have to see Moneysoft. At about £110 for multi-company it is a bargain and for me one of the best on the market (I have used all the big ones and nothing comes close!)

Don Tax · Expert

Hi David,

Have they specified software because otherwise the world is your oyster. Do you have an internet link for the 'cashflow manager' you are using ?

What fee are you expecting this year and will it cover the £500 you are expecting to spend on software?

kind regards,
Tim

Amanda · Expert

HI David,

Pro is more than ample enough for you, I am still using my Pro 2008! I have Pro 2012 on my desk buy haven't loaded it yet, and I am going to the QB masterclass so I can get the accountants 2013 version.

you can have 99 companies so plenty of scope there is you want to build your business.

Like Sheila says don't have the payroll added onto it, they will try and flog you it but don't do it, its very expensive and not worth it. If you want to do payroll try 12pay or there are some others out there.

I think its better than sage to use, the interface is better and the reports are brilliant. This is just my opinion of course and there are others on here who love sage. I also use sage instants as well for a couple of clients.

HTH

GJRobbins · Senior Member

semsley wrote:
I'm not a Sage hater, I just think that Quickbooks is better value for money and its reporting is far superior to that of Sage.

Not if you have OptegraMRP... haha

semsley · Guru

Hi Amanda

I went today (see rant on the slow vehicles thread) - it was the first one in Sheffield, more men there than women and I was amazed at the number who didn't have smartphones.

Sheila

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

GJRobbins wrote:
semsley wrote:
I'm not a Sage hater, I just think that Quickbooks is better value for money and its reporting is far superior to that of Sage.

Not if you have OptegraMRP... haha

So buy sage at nearly £600 and your product to get the reporting of quickbooks at £99? Where do I sign?

Amanda · Expert

Really? I wouldn't be without my blackberry, although I am thinking of an iphone, but not the 5 its far to expensive! I'm just waiting for some good deals to come on the old iphone 4S, thats more than enough for me.

Mine you are accountants still stuck in their old ways with their phones? Maybe that should be another thread!

How was it Sheila and did you get your copy of the latest software today? I am looking forward to going, mines on 1st Oct.

GJRobbins · Senior Member

kjmcculloch83 wrote:
So buy sage at nearly £600 and your product to get the reporting of quickbooks at £99? Where do I sign?

Ouch - below the belt haha. Thats a bit of an unfair comparison... its not at all a like for like at £99..

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Well, I think VT is better than both of them but I'm willing to give Quickbooks a fair try if the QB roadshow invite comes through as some clients I feel are much happier using software that they have heard of.

With VT for he full accounts software it £199 plus VAT for unlimited companies.

To use it you need to be really happy with the manual side of bookkeeping and fully understand the accounts. That said if anyone feels that they are ready to advise clients on tax matters then there should be nothing in VT that is beyond them.

As for reporting, whatever I need I can generate through Excel Macro's and as VT is Excel based (VT+ is stand alone but a spreadsheet under the bonnet. VT Accounts is integrated into Excel itself. Purchasing VT accounts includes VT+).

I would only consider Sage for my practice if they change the client tax. Why should I pay more money to use the same software for the same time just because I have additional clients on it.

To quote my father "Don't pee on me and tell me it's raining".

On the phone front, yep I'm a dinosaur. Mines a Samsung D600

Bet you thought that all of those were all in museums didn't you.

Back button doesn't work but otherwise great little phone.

kind regards,

Shaun.

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

GJRobbins wrote:
kjmcculloch83 wrote:
So buy sage at nearly £600 and your product to get the reporting of quickbooks at £99? Where do I sign?

Ouch - below the belt haha. Thats a bit of an unfair comparison... its not at all a like for like at £99..

No, you're right Quickbooks is actually £149. But it's still 99 companies v's 25. In your opinion what are the pros of Sage? Kris

Spamkebab · Expert

Gordon Gekko had one of those lol.

David Rosario · Veteran Member

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this subject. I have now made my decision and I will go with the majority.

Quickbooks it is then.

Thanks again, you all have been very helpful.

David wink

semsley · Guru

Amanda wrote:
Really? I wouldn't be without my blackberry, although I am thinking of an iphone, but not the 5 its far to expensive! I'm just waiting for some good deals to come on the old iphone 4S, thats more than enough for me.
Mine you are accountants still stuck in their old ways with their phones? Maybe that should be another thread!
How was it Sheila and did you get your copy of the latest software today? I am looking forward to going, mines on 1st Oct.

Hi Amanda

Better late than never response here.

It was interesting though most of it not useful for me personally, however, would be for people who are wanting to grow their businesses (I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to wind down!!!!). The demo of the Accountant 2013 software was good, it looks like it will be an asset to time-saving. Yes I got the software but haven't installed it yet and, a good job apparently because the license/product codes given were for Premier rather than Accountant so if I had I would have had to uninstall and reinstall. I've just emailed the details on my copy so that I can get the correct codes. It'll all be sorted by your seminar I have no doubt as the one I went to was the first and, like anything else, there are always teething problems.

Sheila

Amanda · Expert

HI Sheila,

Thanks for the reply, I go to mine on Monday, I'm looking forward to the demo, as I am mainly self taught, and also I am still on Pro2008. I have Pro 2012 on my desk as got it on offer at £99 from staples, but I need to upgrade my laptop before I install it. Just don't seem to find the time to go to PC work to try out the keyboards, mine you I will be near john Lewis on Monday maybe I should go in there afterwards and have a look for a new laptop.

Many thanks

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

Someone let me know when they try 2013. I have the enterprise, premier and pro 2013 sitting, but it talks about converting files to use them so I'm putting it off a bit.

Kris

semsley · Guru

kjmcculloch83 wrote:
Someone let me know when they try 2013. I have the enterprise, premier and pro 2013 sitting, but it talks about converting files to use them so I'm putting it off a bit.

Kris

Kris, I asked about compatibility and was told that it is backward compatible with 2012. Obviously not tried it as not installed it yet but could experiment as long as original data backed up and only did a bit of testing.

Sheila

Donna CBK · Senior Member

Have to say after going to the recent Intuit Seminar and seeing the reports etc. on Quickbooks I will be happily loading the new disk and playing around. Still like using Sage however for price comparison and additional reports - Im interested.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Donna,

how far in advance did you get your attendance confirmation from Intuit? The Brum one is on the 3rd and I've still heard nothing from them.

kind regards,

Shaun.

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

Just turn up, Shaun. Its easier to ask forgiveness than seek permission.

Kris

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Invite came through today Kris... And on the way back home the car got broadsided.

The side of the cars been totalled by some halfwit in a French car not bothering to stop for the roundabout that I was going around which makes attending within the time frame even more difficult!

I'm fine. And luckily I hadn't yet picked my boy up (was just on my way). Only now am I beginnig to quiety boil under the collar.

Fingers crossed I will still be able to sort out the logistics of this one before next Wednesday.

Amanda · Expert

Glad your ok Shaun, was it the classic BMW?

I'm going on Monday, my youngest is going to a friends for breakfast only round the corner and she'll take him to sch wil here kids, so thats all worked out nicely. It will take me about 40 mins with traffic to get there.

It will be interesting to see how it has progressed from Pro 2008 that I am currently on.

Now need to get my new laptop so I can put it on there anbd play around with it!

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Amanda,

thankfully it was the newer one...

I'm quite looking forward to comparing it to VT.

Providing that they are not moving down the Sage client tax route with the new software I may well be popping home via Waterstones to pick up a few books on it.

Still got to sort out the school run logistics issue with no car at the moment and my chilcare out of action!

It never rains but pours as they say!

talk later,

Shaun.

Donna CBK · Senior Member

Hi Shaun, apologies for delay - I got confirmation really quite swiftly - it may be worth chasing up. You get a badge with name on at the desk so worth checking definately booked. I found the seminar really useful, they gave a talk on the future - how to work out your level of clients as well as a demo on Quickbooks itself. In all the time with Sage dont recall any freebies like this, to be fair to Sage dont recall many other software providers either so one up on Quickbooks.

just read yr next page - Sorry to hear about accident - hope all ok, as you say at least yr boy wasnt in the car. Coincidence my car got nicely "Scraped" while sitting at traffic lights on the morning of the QB seminar, thank fully just a scrape but she did peeve me by checking her car first and declaring there was nothing wrong with hers !!

-- Edited by Donna CBK on Sunday 30th of September 2012 07:43:32 AM

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Many thanks for the reply Donna,

I feel that Intuit are in the process of making a serious move on the UK market espechially with the combination of this get the accountants and the businesses will follow move following on the back of the QB Pro for £99 day a month or so back.

I don't see us getting a situation anytime soon of mass migration but a concerted campaign may impact the dominance, some might argue monopoly, that Sage currently enjoys and make the many realise that there are other options rather than the general assumption that bookkeeper and Sage are synonymous.

Another advantage may be that if there is real competition then Sage may back away from their client tax approach which makes using their product so expensive for profesionals such as ourselves.

I'm glad that your scrape sounds to have at least been peripheral but the oter persons reactions to a crash that was their fault does seem quite typical. Did you manage to get any witnesses just in case? With mine there were plenty of witnesses but nobody stopped. Just wove past the interlocked cars. However, at least the accident happened on a main island with a traffic camera pointing directly at it.

Would love to have involved the police but what about my boy standing at the school gates waiting to be picked up with no idea where his Dad is? I've never, ever let him down. If I didn't turn up he would be panic stricken as he has nobody else. (useless mother, grandparents too old and frail).

Still waiting for the call back from direct line at the moment as can't get the car fixed until I get the ball rolling and at the moment its quite drivable but the front indicator makes it not road legal.

kind regards,

Shaun.

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

To be honest Shaun, if the police policy there is anything like the policy we now have they wouldn't even have turned up. We no longer attend non reportable road accidents unless there are traffic management issues.

Kris

Amanda · Expert

Yeah I am looking forward to my new laptop, my son couldn't believe what I have brought! HEs well jealous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzbU_L9NjCE&feature=plcp

Just found this on you tube about QB 2013, its quite a good torturial.

They won't ask you anything, so don't worry about that, there were a few of us there that had used QB and some that hadn't, infact there was more that hadn't use it. ~So I'm sure you will not be alone that you haven't use it yet.

I don't know how it compares to VT as I have never used it.

There are quite a few you tube videos on QB, the one about is about features and apps. I'm sure there will be loads on there that I won't use, but the reports are amazing.

-- Edited by Amanda on Monday 1st of October 2012 09:31:33 PM

Stardoe · Guru

Ooh...sorry to hear about your accident Shaun...and yours Donna. I was hit a couple of weeks ago by a lorry pulling off the pavement straight into me...but very minor damage.

Talking about the police not turning up....a few years ago my husband had his truck (lifeline for business) stolen from right outside our house early one evening whilst he and my son were out and just myself and two daughters were in. We spotted them about to drive away...I dialled 999 whilst my eldest daughter ran out in the road to try to stop them! (Silly I know, but natural reaction). If the police were quick they would have caught them at it, but when did they turn up......yes, you guessed it.....two days later!!

Pauline

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

If you phoned treble 9 and the police didn't turn up for 2 days I hope you made a complaint. If it was me I'd have phoned constantly until they arrived.

Amanda · Expert

HI Everyone,

Went to the Intuit seminar today, very good and informative. Got my copy of the 2013, looking forward to using it on my new laptop that I also got today!

The reports look brilliant, and loads of them, looks a really good piece of software.
The Demo from an Accountant was really good.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

I'm all excited now...

Was anthing said about iXBRL filing using the software Amanda.

Stardoe · Guru

@Kris,

Actually I didn't make a complaint no....wish I had now. Apparently they had to prioritise and there were more important things they were dealing with

Pauline

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Stardoe wrote:
Apparently they had to prioritise and there were more important things they were dealing with

Translation : The pizza was about to be delivered

Amanda · Expert

If you mean the RTI with Payroll, someone brought it up as a question at the end and yes all fully integrated with HMRC.

I was well impressed, its certainly moved on from Pro 2008. I am actually thinking of becoming a PRO advisor, as I want to have their logo on my new website and and offer training as well. They are going to ring me in the next few days to talk about it.

I have the new laptop now, went for a HP, i5 processor with a 1TB. My son was well impressed! Its not set up yet, will hopefully have time towards the end of the week to do it.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi Amanda,

no, just normal iXBRL tagging of company accounts for filing.

Just something that I've never seen mention of with QB and it's one of the main VT selling points. Just wondered if it was something that was there in the accountant edition.

sounds a nice laptop. HPs have always been dependable machines but I found their screens a little fuzzy. What are they like on the new HPs? My bias against their screens is at least five years old and there probably isn't a component in them the same as it was back then.

i5 is an extremely nice processor for a laptop with a lot of processing power. Did you get a good amount of Ram as well?

I've come over with all laptop envy now.

Shaun.

Stardoe · Guru

Shamus wrote:
Stardoe wrote:
Apparently they had to prioritise and there were more important things they were dealing with
Translation : The pizza was about to be delivered

Lol...you're probably right Shaun!

Amanda · Expert

@ Shaun - I don't know about the iXBRL bit. Hopefully might get my laoptop up and running by the end of the week so I will let you know. I got it from John Lewis as they actually have computer geeks in there that know what they are talking about. Its got 6GB ram and 1TB, so good spec and will hopefully be able to have all my QB programmes on there with no probs.

Your have to ask them at the end of the session about that bit. They were very professional today I was well impressed.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Cheers Amanda,

I'm looking forwards to the meeting. Just hope that they don't ask me anything as I'm still at the only just about being able to spell Quickbooks stage.

6gb and an i5 processor... Your going to have to put a seat belt on before starting that bad boy up!