Maybe I'm being a bit thick here, but I am looking for a final accounts prodution software that can file online, for sole trader/partnership and company accounts, and I don't know what TaxCalc can do that VT can't.
I was using Andica software in previous years, it did the job but I have too many clients for that now, I need something that can handle more. A client has VT for her bookkeeping, and although she likes it, the interface does look cheap. Saying that, how many clients does it handle? I see TaxCalc has limits as to how many clients you can file for, and the prices are tiered and I can't see anything on their site to say VT has limits. If it doesn't, for £199 plus VAT I could easily overlook the tacky interface providing it can do everything TaxCalc can.
Well, I like the interface. Its straight forwards and robust.
Better methinks that developers spend their time on great functionality rather than pretty screens which are really for end users rather than professionals.
VT can handle unlimited clients in the price. The dont screen just lists your datasets and you open the one that you want.
I'm unsure of the comparing it to taxcalc as many people use both.
VT does have corporation tax functionalityt built in but it's less user freindly than taxcalc.
For final accounts I would not accept anything else than VT which produces exellent quality results.
Some of the breakdowns in the notes to the accounts are done slightly differently to Iris but the results are the same and accounts produced under either are correct.
I may be doing things slightly wrong but note that filing is not directly from within VT but rather you include the VT accounts and tax calculations as attachments during filing (my understanding is that VT are working on improving this but even as it is, it's no biggy).
The interface between VT Transaction+ and VT accounts is seamless except (there's always one of those) you cannot be editing the VT file when you import the file into VT accounts.
iXBRL conversion is extremely fast (blink of an eye fast).
There is no fixed asset register within VT (I use a seperate Excel file for that), and it's not the software for you in order to process stock control.
However.
All things considered, even though not yet a one stop solution. I consider the software second to non including the prettier offerings such as Sage and Quickbooks which I feel lag behind VT for usability and flexibility.
I would however not recommend VT for anyone who was not completely comfortable with manual bookkeeping and accounts as it does very much feel as though it is a tool for professionals rather than a data input interface for those less knowledgable.
Download the free trial and you will see what I mean.
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.
I use VT for final accounts and taxcalc for tax returns.
I like using both for what they do
1. VT - is cheap in that is £180+VAT (i think) for unlimited clients. The accounts are easy to prepare so they comply with Companies House
2. Taxcalc - great for doing all tax work and love the walk through feature that takes you though all the screens. Having come from an IRIS background in profession I find it a lot easier to use than IRIS.
Downside to VT is that you cant file accounts online with Companies House but I think it is something that is due to be introduced later this year.
Though when my taxcalc subscription comes up for renewal I am thinking of moving my accounts provider over to them too as the accounts production interface seems very similar to IRIS which is really easy to use. It also now has a practice management module which would therefore give me a fully integrated accounts, tax and practice mangement facility for a fraction of the price of IRIS. Think the taxcalc package is £400+VAT and the accounts package is £500+VAT. The PM module i think is free at moment as it has just been recently introduced but eventually will be £120+VAT. So all in a fully intregated package for about £1k+VAT or £100 per month or probably something like £20 per client in case.
I was looking at the practice management option, I could do with something like that at this stage. Drummohr was another option for tax returns, I liked how it worked but I see now it has been bought over by Iris, so a bit concerned the prices will jump in a couple of years. I want to be careful to invest in something that will stay cost effective. I'm maybe a bit tight, but I resent paying big money for software.
I was looking at Digita for the complete practice management solution, but from what I can see it is silly money for a small practice. Iris is the same, I work with some bigger practices that have stopped their Iris subscriptions and have changed to other software solutions, payroll providers like Moneysoft etc.
I like the look of TaxCalc, but I'll try the free downloads to see which one sways me.
Hi, I'm pretty sure Drummohr has gone up a third in price since Iris took over about three years ago. Back then, we were considering a change and the first contract sent was for commencement 6th April whereas before it had always been an annual renewal on the date we first bought 'Tax Assistant'.
Not sure whether that was sharp practice or sloppiness but Iris chopping six weeks off our first contract with them tipped the scales against renewing. Liked the program though.
