My dad wants to start a small business. What accounting/bookkeeping software would be appropriate?
As my dad’s not overly astute in the financial management side of things, I agreed that I would help him out in that respect. I’m a year 11 Accounting student so we’ve covered most of small business bookkeeping. I’m just wondering which accounting method would be most appropriate (and which software).
The business I only likely (at present) to consist wholly of himself (service business). I would probably be listed as an employee in these circumstances though.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Fastrack
July 29th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Most small business cease to exist within a year which is usually good for tax avoidance, therefore I would say that minimium accounting should be required – probably the easiest and most understandable would be to build you own using the most well known Spread Sheet program (which I think most people already have loaded in their PC or laptop).
Cash flow is essential to monitor and you could plot some easy to read graphs to show progress – often more revealing than a columns of figures or pages of accounts.
July 30th, 2010 at 12:39 am
There are a number of different accounting packages for small businesses. Best known are Sage and TasBooks. However, I think that Quickbooks is the easiest to use and most comprehensive particularly for service businesses. It has facilities for quotations and timesheets as well as allowing you to record materials against individual jobs.
July 30th, 2010 at 1:10 am
Quickbooks is the easiest in my opinion but be aware it is for bookkeeping and not a true accounting package. Be aware of common mistakes like voiding transactions and posting transactions in closed periods.
Good luck to your Dad.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Liquid Accounts – It’s by far the easiest and cheapest accounting software I’ve ever used. I used to use Quickbooks but found it confusing and expensive. I came across Liquid by default and loved it straight away.
It hasn’t got any technical jargon and is done online. The best thing about it that its customizable. For example, if you are not VAT registered, you can take off the VAT module – later, when your business expands and you need the VAT function, you can switch it on. You dont have to have elements that you dont need.
Support is also absolutely free.
Check out the free trial or book an online webinar. It might be good for you and your dad to book an online demo, check it and then decide whether its for you or not.
You wont regret it, mate. Simple and functional.
http://www.liquidaccounts.net
0845 450 7304