Any thoughts on Capium? It's cloud based so would mean me being in it for the long haul. I've had a demo today and I must say I'm suitably impressed, and although it means an increase in my costs it could well be the way forward for me.
It's bookkeeping, payroll, accounts production, CT and self assessment but these are all separate modules, so other than bookkeeping which is free for me and clients, it means paying £15 + VAT a month each for the other 4 modules. (I have been offered a reasonable discount for the first year)
If I go down this route, and it's by no means certain, it would mean ditching TaxFiler and possibly Moneysoft (1), but also means I don't have to buy VT accounts (which is another consideration) I would no doubt still keep VT Transaction but that said the bookkeeping capabilities of Capium look good, and reminds me of Sage 50 a bit in it's functions. Bank feeds are available at a cost, although you can import by CSV.
As I think I've already said, I am venturing into offering cloud bookkeeping, although I don't think Capium is an app as such, like Xero
(1) It links to the bookkeeping module, so updates the accounts when doing payroll, and offers AE, so no loss and a slight advantage. I particularly like the fact it auto payrolls for set amounts, but sends a reminder to the accountant and client each payroll in case of changes.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Random thoughts
1) cloudy!! Say no more. Seriously check speed of input with volume inputting. Does the bookkeeping part, at least, work if you have no internet access?
2) is the £15 the offer rate? Isn't that the same as Moneysoft and Taxfiler added together and they do the same?
3) eggs in one basket.
Potential biggie for starting out with it 4) what is their support like and what hours does it cover. Moneysoft we know isn't weekend based but I don't think we have seen anyone left in the cold due to this via this site due to varied experiences. Taxfiler provide weekend cover and are very rapid at responding. Even without VT accounts you have their option for account production.
Do you get free bookkeeping for you and clients if you don't take on the rest?
Not looked at it, so like I said just random ramblings
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Point 1) Joanne made - agree. I can only speak from playing with Sage One - it's very very slow to input info. I'd say, at an untimed average, you'd get 3-4 invoices onto Sage 50 to one on Sage One. My internet is fast, but Sage One reacts like it's dial up. I can't find VAT reconcile in SO, and annoyingly not all nominals are the same as Sage 50 - why oh why?
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Johnny - Owner of an overly-active keyboard.
A man who can read, yet doesn't, is in no way wiser than a man who can't.
I know not everyone is a fan of the cloud, I do think it has its place - low volume invoices for small businesses - anything bigger or one with high invoice it will cost more in time, plus if the client completes the bookkeeping I can't see them seeing the benefits of entering high volume invoices all day. As I say, it has its place but....
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Johnny - Owner of an overly-active keyboard.
A man who can read, yet doesn't, is in no way wiser than a man who can't.
Random thoughts 1) cloudy!! Say no more. Seriously check speed of input with volume inputting. Does the bookkeeping part, at least, work if you have no internet access? 2) is the £15 the offer rate? Isn't that the same as Moneysoft and Taxfiler added together and they do the same? 3) eggs in one basket. Potential biggie for starting out with it 4) what is their support like and what hours does it cover. Moneysoft we know isn't weekend based but I don't think we have seen anyone left in the cold due to this via this site due to varied experiences. Taxfiler provide weekend cover and are very rapid at responding. Even without VT accounts you have their option for account production.
Do you get free bookkeeping for you and clients if you don't take on the rest?
Not looked at it, so like I said just random ramblings
Hi Joanne, thanks for your ramblings it's always useful to get others opinions.
1. Yes, I know, and I agree!! But I do want to have a cloud option for those that want it. It's purely cloud. Input seems ok, click the button and it refreshes ready for the next entry fairly quickly, also has bulk entry, although as far as I can see the supplier or customer details have to be in place first.
2. £15 + VAT a month per module is the non offer rate, although they did offer me a discount if I take all 5 modules. Moneysoft and tax filer added together is £20+ VAT a month. I'm not keen on taxfiler for accounts production so VT Accounts would definitely be needed as well so my current outlay would be £32 a month for M/S TF and VT. It's a pity Capium charge SA and CT600 submission as 2 separate modules, otherwise I would be very tempted to swap it for Taxfiler, in conjunction with VT Accounts.
3. Yes definitely.
Support is M-F 9 - 5 I could live with that to be fair, although we all know bookkeepers don't take the weekend off!!
As far as I can see the bookkeeping is free, you just pay for whatever modules you want on top
Having had a couple of days to think about it I'm not prepared to take such a drastic switch, although as I said I was impressed with it - as a cloud offering.
I will be offering the bookkeeping part as an option though, for those that want to use the cloud, and importing the trial balance to VT Accounts, but for those who don't I will continue to use VT+
Johnny, thanks for your comments as well. Xero isn't an option, it's probably the dearest cloud software on the market, especially when you consider the addons. My other option is Quickbooks, which I will probably have as well, but the client would be charged the additional costs.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
it's always useful to get others opinions. 
