I have just started working for a company using Sage Instant Accounts and they need to comply with MTD urgently. Their version is not compatible with MTD.
I've spoken to Sage who told me that we would need to transfer to either Sage 50 Cloud or Sage 50 in order for it to be MTD compliant.
I like the sound of the Cloud however although Customers and Suppliers details are transferred transactions are not.
It's probably worth taking the plunge and upgrading the system. You can still keep the legacy system on a computer if you need to refer to old transactions. Not only will the new system mean you can do MTD easily without the need for bridging software and all that faff, you will also have ease of access as the system would then be online. It's always slightly traumatic swapping to a new system, but like anything it's just a matter of getting used to it.
Are you a bookkeeper in practice, or an employed bookkeeper in a company?
__________________
Jenny
Responses are my opinion based on the information provided. All information should be thoroughly checked before being relied on.
It's probably worth taking the plunge and upgrading the system. You can still keep the legacy system on a computer if you need to refer to old transactions. Not only will the new system mean you can do MTD easily without the need for bridging software and all that faff, you will also have ease of access as the system would then be online. It's always slightly traumatic swapping to a new system, but like anything it's just a matter of getting used to it.
Are you a bookkeeper in practice, or an employed bookkeeper in a company?
Her system works.
All it needs is bridging software (free). It is no faff at all. Its the same process as via sage, with the same number of keystrokes.
Why would you encourage her to start to pay monthly for something she doesnt need when she has a system that is paid for? If I took over from her and found that out I would be telling the client company to make a claim on her PII for bad advice.
Unless she keeps the old sage on spare computer she could not access sage, although she may be able to integrate the two. We do not have enough information.
Sorry that my opinion is so unsettling. Personally if a system does not do what I need it to do I would look at upgrading it to one that does. Also, personally, I prefer the flexibility of an online system. Chrissy also said she was in favour of an online system in her original message.
__________________
Jenny
Responses are my opinion based on the information provided. All information should be thoroughly checked before being relied on.
Sorry that my opinion is so unsettling. Personally if a system does not do what I need it to do I would look at upgrading it to one that does. Also, personally, I prefer the flexibility of an online system. Chrissy also said she was in favour of an online system in her original message.
Sorry but that is still bad advice.
OP stated 'I like the sound of' not that she wanted it.
What does the client want? The one paying for it.
If the whole system had failed or by using bridging software it added a couple of extra costly hours to the job every time then that would be good advice.
But it is just an add on that is required.
Like the add-ons you use for QuickBooks and xero.
So by adding the add-on, you are upgrading the system.
The system does exactly what you want at nil cost, or maybe £12 per year as above for what an extra minute of processing, if that.
By your approach you are involving the client in extra cost of the ongoing monthly fees PLUS her time to install, move the data and learn how to use it. Really?
Increasing costs is not what a good bookkeeper should be doing.
Increasing costs at this time when businesses are looking to every penny?
You can access sage instant remotely easily without it being in the cloud.
Like I said I agree with you about the bridging software. However, a perceived accusatory tone, whether intended or not, can equally put someone on edge (see Jenny's first sentence in her reply) which then unsettles the group. It's intended to be a friendly discussion group for accountancy professionals, and the same thing can be said (imo) in a much more friendly manner. All I'm asking is that we keep it that way.
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
