Basic useful accountant software

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

Our of curiosity, is there a reason why you chose to develop your own system rather than partner with an existing solution like FreeAgent (I know they have special accountant portals/integration) or similar? Presumably you outsource the development of your own system? Just wondering why you chose to go down that route.

Simply because we wanted something that specifically meets the needs of our clients. A lot of the solutions out there seem to focus on your typical small business rather than contractors.

[Maslins]

If a contractor can't afford £300/year (less with referrals) for software that does everything FreeAgent does (bookkeeping, payroll, personal tax returns, VAT returns, dividend paperwork, expenses, time tracking, invoicing etc.), or equivalent software (Xero, KashFlow etc.), they're doing it wrong.

Yeah, that would be my attitude. But the OP did say ask for a "Basic" solution and seemingly they have other methods for doing quite a few accounting related things. Depends on whether they're happy to change to have FreeAgent do most things, as it might be overkill if they kept everything else as is.

[TheFaQQer]

Not looked at it, but the useful software thread includes a reference to DIY Accounting Software, Small Business, Payslip Software, Tax Return, Limited Company UK

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Spreadsheets can be useful and sometimes cheaper but if you want something a bit more forward-thinking there are online accounting systems out there. We have recently released our own online system, Vantage, which works in the same way as Freeagent.

I hope this helps.

Martin

Our of curiosity, is there a reason why you chose to develop your own system rather than partner with an existing solution like FreeAgent (I know they have special accountant portals/integration) or similar? Presumably you outsource the development of your own system? Just wondering why you chose to go down that route.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Depends on your budget. You can get a spreadsheet for free. FreeAgent is very popular with contractors, does quite a bit more than a spreadsheet, but it's not free.

If a contractor can't afford £300/year (less with referrals) for software that does everything FreeAgent does (bookkeeping, payroll, personal tax returns, VAT returns, dividend paperwork, expenses, time tracking, invoicing etc.), or equivalent software (Xero, KashFlow etc.), they're doing it wrong.

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

Spreadsheets can be useful and sometimes cheaper but if you want something a bit more forward-thinking there are online accounting systems out there. We have recently released our own online system, Vantage, which works in the same way as Freeagent.

I hope this helps.

Martin

[Maslins]

I would recommend FreeAgent.

Depends on your budget. You can get a spreadsheet for free. FreeAgent is very popular with contractors, does quite a bit more than a spreadsheet, but it's not free.

[RSoles]

+1 for the SJD spreadsheet.
The only niggle I have with it is that it doesn't handle year-to-year carryover too well.

[northernladuk]

I'm with SJD and more than happy with their spreadsheet. If your accountant isn't providing you with anything like this I would seriously think about changing.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I would recommend FreeAgent.

[vwdan]

SJD very kindly have a free Excel spreadsheet that you can download. You'll need to sign up, but it's free:

SJD Spreadsheet 2013 - 2014 - Accountants UK - SJD Accountancy

I'm with SJD so it's what I use and I have no real complaints.

[prvnrk]

Hi,

I'm director of a limited company.

I get pay weekly and my accountant provides me pay summary which i transfer fro my business /ac to personal a/c.

I need to know at a given point of time

- how much I transferred as salary, dividends, expenses etc
- how much I have profits in Business a/c which i can still transfer to personal a/c
- how much left to reach dividends threshold etc.
- how much corp tax and vat tax paid etc.
- all other useful data

Now, can anyone pls suggest me which is best and easy-to-use software?
both free and paid
online portal s/w are ok but should be able to download/export data into some format

I planned to prepare an excel but ran out of ideas, I heard of there are few excel sheets/acces DBs readily available.

Many thanks in adv for any advises