Reply to: Accounting Software

[Lewis]

Anyone got any tips / templates for a bookkeeping spreadsheet?

Does it need to be any more complicated than:

Date, Amount, Description
25/12/2007, -1000.00, Christmas Party

?

You can download one from the accounting site

[ittony]

Anyone got any tips / templates for a bookkeeping spreadsheet?

Does it need to be any more complicated than:

Date, Amount, Description
25/12/2007, -1000.00, Christmas Party

?

[Badger]

I've been using MS Accounting Express for a few months, and I think I'm getting what I paid for . Here's my puppenny worth:

The performance sucks, just opening a menu item is a chore for it.

It doesn't close down the SQL Server instance when you exit.

Bank reconciliations don't seen to work properly, e.g. not all costs show on the Bank rec screens for matching off to the bank statement.

It doesn't account for FRS. Manual Journal Entries are needed.

If you don't use the MS Payroll package you have to account for salaries manually via journal entries.

There's probably more, but thats probably enough!

[KackAttack]

Originally Posted by Archangel
Does it do Flat Rate Vat?

No, however you can manipulate it to comply with FRS. I post invoices with the 17.5% added on, but in addtion each VAT qtr I post an additional sales item which is the "profit" on the VAT for that period.

I'm using MS Accounting in addition to a spreadsheet this year and am hoping to submit my end of year accounts myself.

[AlanR]

Flat Rate VAT

I haven't found that option myself. As far as I have seen, it only does VAT returns based on the actual VAT income and expenditure (i.e. Standard Rate, Reduce Rate, etc). Would be interested to know where to find the flat rate option without redoing the VAT totals. If there is an accounting package out there that supports this, I might be tempted to buy it.

I use Business Accountz which includes a system for accounting for Flat Rate VAT.

[pmeswani]

Does it do Flat Rate Vat?

I haven't found that option myself. As far as I have seen, it only does VAT returns based on the actual VAT income and expenditure (i.e. Standard Rate, Reduce Rate, etc). Would be interested to know where to find the flat rate option without redoing the VAT totals. If there is an accounting package out there that supports this, I might be tempted to buy it.

[AlanR]

Accounting Software

Hi,

I use Business Accountz for invoicing, tracking the flow of money etc and MYOB Payroll for, well, Payroll stuff i.e. calculating TAX, Ni, HMRC returns etc.

Not sure if the offer is still available, but the MYOB Payroll software (which is HMRC Accreditated) was being offered free in single company, 3 employee version.

Alan

[vhadiant]

I use Excel and Nixon Williams. It doesn't hurt to know about how the account works yourself.

[Archangel]

I’m an Excel and (dodgy) accountant chap too. I’ve been looking around for a package to handle an expanded business. Has anyone considered Microsoft Accounting Express? It’s at a price I like i.e. FREE!

Does it do Flat Rate Vat?

[HairyArsedBloke]

I’m an Excel and (dodgy) accountant chap too. I’ve been looking around for a package to handle an expanded business. Has anyone considered Microsoft Accounting Express? It’s at a price I like i.e. FREE!

[chris79]

Chris - or anyone else come to that...

If you are able to recommend an accountant who could help me with my end of year accounts and corp tax, I'd be happy to receive a PM from you. I've made a couple of inquiries myself, but the fees I have been quoted are way over what I had hoped!

Many thanks.

Well the guy I use is actually my mothers accountant, but he is not a commercial accountant as such, just does stuff through word of mouth/friends etc. I've not yet done my first CT600 as it's not due yet but I've been quoted between £350-400, which from what I can gather is cheap!

[Gros]

End of year accounts (CT600 - corporation tax) I pay an accountant to do this.

Chris - or anyone else come to that...

If you are able to recommend an accountant who could help me with my end of year accounts and corp tax, I'd be happy to receive a PM from you. I've made a couple of inquiries myself, but the fees I have been quoted are way over what I had hoped!

Many thanks.

[aceboy]

Having gone over a number of posts on the forum it appears that many contractors have problems with accountants.

As a newbie I would be interested to know if anybody does all their own accounting themselves, and if so do they use any type of accounting software.

I use Excel. And my accountants are great

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Sorry - I am an accountant and my post is in no way biased. That better?

[chris79]

I'd suggest an Excel spreadsheet AND an accountant.

There are a number of people disgruntled with their accountant on this post but this is because nobody is likely to post about how good their accountant is. I wouldn't be put og off buy these posters but do seek referrals and research your accountant throroughly.

If you absolutely insist on not using an accountant then have a look at www.moneysoft.co.uk. There's a good simple book-keeping package which could suit. (I;d still get an accountant though!)

You forgot to tell him you are an accountant yourself and that your post is not in any way bias.