Reply to: Software to help manage expenses, invoicing etc

[yasockie]

Sorry for the shameless plug, but I am developing software for this very stuff as my PlanB.
The basic plan for one-man Ltd Co I intend to keep free for at least two years while I evaluate whether it can be supported by ads and donations only. I plan for people to donate to sponsor the development of new features, but generally keep it free as a way to promote my business.
The first beta is coming out around September.
If anyone is interested in alpha-testing, PM me.

[akz786]

I just downloaded and got working mybookkeeping manager from:

MyBookkeepingManager - Bookkeeping / Accounting Software for Contractors, Freelancers, Sole Traders, and Other Micro Businesses

I think this may have already been mention before but it can either be used online or downloaded for 99p and run of a webserver of your choice, it is more for the techies who can use apache web server and do some simple config but once you get this working its amazing as per screenshots on the link as lets you calculate VAT FRS, dividends and create reports, simple stuff really for simple "Bookkeeping".

Let me know if anyone else here has tried this?

Akbar

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Free Agent looks absolutely awesome and has many amazing features. However, I tried logging on today and it's been down for the last hour - very disappointing.....

A very rare occurrence (said as somebody who has been using it for a few years):

Downtime - FreeAgent

[lje]

I use freeagent and find it excellent. I do my own accountancy and I use freeagent to hold all the info. Also, there's a 10% discount for me and the other person whenever I refer anyone (code 33jwkfpp if any of you wish to use it!) which makes it highly affordable too.

Freeagent is a web based system and you can log on to use it from anywhere. You can download your data at any time into an Excel spreadsheet.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Free Agent looks absolutely awesome and has many amazing features. However, I tried logging on today and it's been down for the last hour - very disappointing.....

[borderreiver]

I keep hearing of sage. I am just looking for a simple desktop application which saves time and headache and lets me invoice, claim expenses easily etc. Back in the day there was Quicken, I want something of that style but with loads of nice extras and more modern. Basically somewhere I can house all my financial information easily and hassle-free.

Give Solar Accounts a try. It's a nice desktop application and does all the reports, invoicing etc. you would probably need. I think you can try it out for 6 weeks before having to buy a licence. Works for me!

[kingcook]

which version is good for us contractors?

I chose the Limited Company option (£25/mth) as it does corp tax + divi vouchers.

Small Business Accounts Software - 30 day free trial. - FreeAgent

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

which version is good for us contractors?

[kingcook]

Anybody else tried that Free Agent software? Sounds like what I am looking for.

Yes i'm currently in the free 30 day trial period. Can highly recommend it.

PM me for 10% referal fees for both of us -- i will throw in a free Mars bars compared to ^^nfoote's^^ offer

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Anybody else tried that Free Agent software? Sounds like what I am looking for.

[nfoote]

FreeAgent is great, simple and nice design. Payroll and all too.

Online Accounting Software: Small Business and Freelancers - FreeAgent to sign up as my referral and we both get 10% off per month

[oversteer]

I've used Xero for ~18 months and love it.

It does everything, even a basic payroll. However, it's £19/month. It's probably aimed a bit more at trading Ltd co's than contractor companies as a lot of its features are timesaving things for bookkeeping types.

Bank recs for example are particularly pleasant. I just download a list of transactions from HSBC and import them; you just 'tick off' the matching invoices, payments etc in Xero. Takes a few minutes.

Once nice new feature is that you can attach PDFs, images etc to invoices, expenses, etc. Makes end of year that bit easier, as you can give your accountant a login and let them get on with it.

Give the free trial a go and see if you like it.

[jamesc77]

Freeagent

I have just started my first Ltd company and have found freeagent to be really easy to use. I get it through Barclays and it's £15 inc VAT per month. You can do invoices, vat return etc even upload ur bank statement direct into it.

[VectraMan]

I thought zedAccounts looked pretty good when I played with it, although it does make you do proper double entry bookkeeping.

[northernladuk]

SJD do a rather good spreadsheet with everything well laid out and simple. Kinda wonder why I pay them when I do all the work but it does work so happy with the situation. I believe you can register on their site for free and possibly download it but it is heavily protected so do need them to make alterations from time to time for which you would need to be a customer.