Free accountancy software/spreadsheet Non VAT
Discussion
What do you want to spreadsheet to do for you?
Do you want to end up with full profit and loss account and balance sheet or just something fairly basic.
Do you want the spreadsheet to be able to produce a trial balance for you?
Do you want the spreadsheet to be able to monitor your trade debtors and creditors on an individual customer and supplier basis?
Your accountant might be able to supply you with something or even be able to knock one together for you.
You need to be aware that HMRC is on a path that will eventually force all businesses to use dedicated accounting software.
Do you want to end up with full profit and loss account and balance sheet or just something fairly basic.
Do you want the spreadsheet to be able to produce a trial balance for you?
Do you want the spreadsheet to be able to monitor your trade debtors and creditors on an individual customer and supplier basis?
Your accountant might be able to supply you with something or even be able to knock one together for you.
You need to be aware that HMRC is on a path that will eventually force all businesses to use dedicated accounting software.
At the moment I (or rather, the person Im doing the books for), pulls together a very very simple book which basically has invoice numbers, who has paid, when and how much, who he has paid, and what it has been spent on, which is checked against his bank statements. This is then handed to his accountant who does the proper accounts. He only does them once a year, so doesnt need anything complicated.
That may change if the government gets its way.
They really want people to "do their books" daily - with quarterly submissions to HMRC - on proper book-keeping software (i.e. not spreadsheets).
This was all supposed to be happening from 6 April 2018. However, the implementation of this new system has been postponed until April 2020 at the earliest (unless you have a turnover over £85,00 when it needs to be in place for VAT by April 2019).
So, spreadsheet based systems will possibly only be able to continue for a few more years.
They really want people to "do their books" daily - with quarterly submissions to HMRC - on proper book-keeping software (i.e. not spreadsheets).
This was all supposed to be happening from 6 April 2018. However, the implementation of this new system has been postponed until April 2020 at the earliest (unless you have a turnover over £85,00 when it needs to be in place for VAT by April 2019).
So, spreadsheet based systems will possibly only be able to continue for a few more years.
I built something similar for my wifes business a few years ago, I'll see if a working blank version is somewhere.
Alternatively -
http://www.vtsoftware.co.uk/cashbook/index.htm is free and excel based
https://www.quickfile.co.uk/home/pricing - is free for small volumes
Sage 1 is c £6/month for the basic version, and £20 for the full package - a mate use it for his sideline business, and the e-invoicing looked very simple (when I used his biz for something)
Alternatively -
http://www.vtsoftware.co.uk/cashbook/index.htm is free and excel based
https://www.quickfile.co.uk/home/pricing - is free for small volumes
Sage 1 is c £6/month for the basic version, and £20 for the full package - a mate use it for his sideline business, and the e-invoicing looked very simple (when I used his biz for something)
I use Sage One for my (limited company, one director - me) business. It's easy to use, good online support, costs £7.20 including VAT per month. When I start paying myself a salary, it'll cost another £5 per month or something. As Eric says, it's only a matter of time until packages such as this are mandated by HMRC, so I'd recommend looking at something like Sage, or Quick Books.
If you use Sage [or similar] sensibly, it'll make your accountant's life much easier come year end; they might reduce their fees as a result - so it's cost you nothing.
If you use Sage [or similar] sensibly, it'll make your accountant's life much easier come year end; they might reduce their fees as a result - so it's cost you nothing.
Eric Mc said:
Brave Fart said:
I they might reduce their fees as a result - so it's cost you nothing.
HOHOHOHOHOHOI've heard that SOOO many times over the past few decades.
LeighW said:
If one of my clients improves their books to the extent that it takes me less time to complete their accounts, I reduce my fees accordingly. Don't you? Mind you, I will accept that it doesn't happen very often...
My wife's accountant charges her reduced fees, as her accounts are easier due to everything being recorded on a spreadsheet and referenced to the relevant invoices. She does it more for her own ability to track revenue sources and costs thoughI will reduce fees when it is appropriate - of course.
Having clients do their own double entry record keeping does help but it doesn't always cut down on time spent on knocking the final accounts into correct and compliant shape. In fact, if the records are good when you get them, it actually allows you to see things you might have missed with a more rudimentary record keeping set up - and as a result you could spend more time discussing and sorting something that had gone unnoticed in the past.
The difference is not that that the accountant's time is reduced when the client has better records - but it is usually better spent.
Having clients do their own double entry record keeping does help but it doesn't always cut down on time spent on knocking the final accounts into correct and compliant shape. In fact, if the records are good when you get them, it actually allows you to see things you might have missed with a more rudimentary record keeping set up - and as a result you could spend more time discussing and sorting something that had gone unnoticed in the past.
The difference is not that that the accountant's time is reduced when the client has better records - but it is usually better spent.
Eric Mc said:
HOHOHOHOHOHO
I've heard that SOOO many times over the past few decades.
Well, I did say "might". The three accountants that I know personally all reduce their fees (not by much, usually £100) if clients do this as long as the double entry has been done properly.I've heard that SOOO many times over the past few decades.
Or were you just "ho ho ho-ing" to be festive?
Brave Fart said:
Eric Mc said:
HOHOHOHOHOHO
I've heard that SOOO many times over the past few decades.
Well, I did say "might". The three accountants that I know personally all reduce their fees (not by much, usually £100) if clients do this as long as the double entry has been done properly.I've heard that SOOO many times over the past few decades.
Or were you just "ho ho ho-ing" to be festive?
In my experience, most clients aren't too comfortable with double entry (snigger). They can manage sales and purchase invoices and bank transactions - but more complicated transactions such as dealing with HPs, leases, depreciation, accruals, prepayments etc are bit esoteric for them.
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