InTouch Accounting vs Sage One Accounts

[robert227]

I've been contracting for 8 months and have been using InTouch Accounting. The software seems fine for my needs but I don't know why I'm paying £110 a month when Sage One Accounts is a cheaper option.

I've got a free trial of Sage and the software looks very similar, can anyone advise on the differences any why I might want to stay with InTouch?

Thanks

[TykeMerc]

I'm not an InTouch customer, but if they're anything like Nixon Williams then for the fee you're probably getting advice, support and questions answered.

Pretty much all of us are perfectly capable of doing our own accounts with an accountancy app like Sage, but in my case I feel that I get value from the accountancy firm.

[Louisa@InTouch]

Hi Robert,

Yes, as a client of InTouch, not only are you able to use our online portal for submitting your information.

But the fee also includes unlimited questions, advice on being most tax efficient and to assist with helping you run your company in line with HMRC guidance. Along with all of the annual submissions too.

You will have the full support from your Client Manager and a quick response to emails too

Sage is a great software package, even though some of the functions you'll need to be wizard to make it work!

However if you do have any questions or concerns, as always please don't hesitate to contact us.

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

InTouch are a firm or accountants, Sage a software package.

Sage is good for small and medium businesses who have medium or complex accounting data requirements, and ideally can dedicate a person to running it, eg an employed bookkeeper. It's likely to be overkill for 95% of the users of this forum; doesn't mean they can't use it, just there are more appropriate solutions.

It's unlikely that Sage software could replace the functions of engaging an accoutant, unless you are willing do to an awful lot of research, legwork and effort yourself - rather like I have to do on the days I forget my background and try and do IT rather than call the pros

[Jessica@WhiteFieldTax]

I've been contracting for 8 months

To date a lot, other than initial set up, of what an accountant will have done for you is quite routine- vat, payroll, etc. The more complex stuff, that a software package won't do, such as year submissions, self assessment, hopefully a pre tax year end review, is down the line. At this juncture, a monthly investment in an accountant can look profligate, that will turn.

[jamesbrown]

InTouxh are a firm or accountants, Sage a software package.

Sage is good for small and medium businesses who have medium or complex accounting data requirements, and ideally can dedicate a person to running it, eg an employed bookkeeper. It's likely to be overkill for 95% of the users of this forum; doesn't mean they can't use it, just there are more appropriate solutions.

It's unlikely that Sage software could replace the functions of engaging an accoutant, unless you are willing do to an awful lot of research, legwork and effort yourself - rather like I have to do on the days I forget my background and try and do IT rather than call the pros

Indeed. Unless you actually want to do your own accounts because you're OCD or for educational purposes, I really can't fathom the logic of these (fairly regular) posts along the lines of the OP, which cite money as an important motivation. For most contractors, the figures simply don't stack up, as this monthly fee is a small fraction of your daily rate, even before you get to the cost of accounting errors. OTOH, as I say, I can entirely understand if you want to learn (but then why cite the cost?).

[Maslins]

InTouch are a firm or accountants, Sage a software package.

Sage is good for small and medium businesses who have medium or complex accounting data requirements, and ideally can dedicate a person to running it, eg an employed bookkeeper. It's likely to be overkill for 95% of the users of this forum; doesn't mean they can't use it, just there are more appropriate solutions.

First para - completely agree. The question is like asking why I should pay for a graphic designer when my computer has MS paint already.

Second para - possibly you're a bit behind the times Jessica, or missed that the OP is talking about "Sage One", which is effectively Sage's attempt to halt the mass migration of clients from their traditional offerings to competitor cloud packages. Sage One is cloud based, and extremely simple for non-bookkeepers to use. Many would say a bit too simple, and that it misses some of the helpful bits that the likes of FreeAgent have.