Hi all, its been years since I've been on here. Anyway with the MTD deadline looming I need to get my finger out and sort new desktop software. I'm using two different cloud packages for some clients but I'm sourcing a desktop software for my smaller clients who don't need cloud. Having used QuickBooks desktop happily for donkey's years Intuit now want a monthly subscription for same. I'm not willing to pay £26 plus VAT per month when I was originally buying a disk for £120 and using it for years. Call me tight, but the greedy shysters just ain't getting it, and their cloud is pants in comparison.
Anyway, I need a decent desktop software for my smaller clients who don't need or want cloud, I've read some good things about VT software. I used it years ago when taking over another accountant's clients, she swore by it and, looks aside, it did seem like a very comprehensive package. I don't care if it doesn't look as slick as the more expensive ones, if it does what its supposed to do, handles VAT, can transfer easily between cash & accrual VAT, etc etc etc I'll be happy.
Anyone know what the reporting capabilities are like? I've one large client who won't go to cloud because of security issues, he likes the flexibility of the reports QuickBooks can produce, I have to say that's one think QuickBooks desktop always did well.
Hi Julie
Welcome back. If you are planning on hanging around (hope so, be good to have some more experience in our small merry band!) then can you add your first name so it appears under the signature bar on your posts - saves folk looking it up when they respond.
Not calling you tight, why should you pay out? A view shared by many on here!
Can you not keep with the existing QB software assuming its not failing and just use bridging software for MTD? Thats what a few folk are doing. There is some free stuff out there. Covered on here - just look for the MTD posts. John (Leger) will no doubt be along shortly Im sure (might be after 31st if he is still up against it!) to add a link to one of the freebie standalone sites.
Im a (mostly) Sage user, have QB desktop as well, but will be using VT as my bridging software because I use it anyway for year end accounts and so Im all paid up anyway. Otherwise I wouldve gone down the site John will add.
If you need to change, a thumbs up for VT. Doesnt look much as you say but a nifty bit of kit. Used by lots of Accountants even if there is another bit of bookkeeping software being used by their clients, which I think says a lot about it. A few on here use it. Reports are easily converted to excel so you can then play about as much as you like with them.
Only missing bits from VT, for me, versus top end sage is no stock holding/control in VT. Ive no idea how or if VT works if you have projects and in fact no clue about multi currency but someone else might be able to advise.
Might be worth expanding on the types of reports you need now to get a fuller answer.
You can try VT for free for 60 days.
What ever you do - dont jump yet and dont listen to the scaremongering of the software houses. Still plenty of time!
__________________
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
The QB desktop is working fine for now, I have been really happy with it for about 20 years but I've taken a strop with them because of how greedy they've got. The thing I like about QuickBooks desktop is the reports are producted instantly. I went through a bank audit with a client last week and was able to pull out everything they wanted right away, they were quite impressed with it. Pity the cloud version is so slow and clunky. I'm white labelling QuickFile for my smaller clients, really impressed with that but it doesn't product cash accounting reports and apparently doesn't convert from cash to accrual VAT filing well. For what it costs though its a great piece of kit.
I don't really need stock control functions, although multi currency would be important. Didn't realise there was bridging software, however the desktop quickbooks will be phased out at some stage and I'm thinking of biting the bullet now when I'm already changing some over to cloud. I had a bad experience before with an old quickbooks disk that was no longer being supported and caused a bit of grief, I'm too busy to risk that again.
I would definitely download VT and have a play with it. As Joanne says it has a 60 day trial and does multi currency.
Reports may be your sticking point, depending on what you want, so I would definitely investigate that side of it. Software cost will be £150 + VAT a year for the VT accounts, which you'll need if you're doing the VAT returns.
Bridging software is definitely worth looking into. My suggestions would be Avalara which is free or NJT, which will cost £36 + VAT a year for up to 10 clients, becoming cheaper proportionately the more clients you have
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
