Accounts

[Exigeowner]

I currently write all my accounts in and out in a book, which although seems a bit old fashioned I like the fact that I can get my hands on details at ease, However without adding everything up I never know how much I owe or what im owed at any one time.

As my turnover is increasing I often owe and am owed 2 - 300 k at any one time and I should be keeping a closer eye on things.

For inwards I write supplier name, invoice number, value, vat, total, payment due, status of payment.

For invoices out, Invoice number, date, client name, valve, payment due date, payment status.

I know if I went down the Sage route I could find all the details at the click of a button as well as doing all my VAT return etc,

What I would really like is somthing inbetween thats free of course !, what I do in the books is easily transfered to a excel form but I have no idea how to do the caluclations etc, does anybody have a simple spreadsheet file that could be emailed to me that would do what I require.

[ukvoyager.info]

In excel, the toolbar has a 'sum' symbol (like a M on its side). Simply click on the bottom of the row you want to add up, press enter and hey presto! The column has been added up.

If you don't have the M on its side, select the bottom cell again, go Insert>Function, select SUM then Ok, select the rows you want adding up, then Ok and Job done.

[timskipper]

Piece of piddle to do. E-Mail me your e-mail address and I'll send you one. Will take 10 mins.

[thewave]

Excel will do exactly that.

I have several different spreadsheets, ones that fill your vat return in too

I will PM you

Reply and i'll send you a pro forma

[Exigeowner]

the wave, cant seem to email or Pm you

[Gordon Brown]

I use Excel and list invoices in red until paid when it goes black and a payment date and VAT quarter is entered.

I use that sheet to calculate VAT taken in , and to see what is owed at any one time.

[DavidY]

If you're often owed 2-300k at any one time, then you shouldn't really be penny pinching over a bit of software that may aid you getting your invoices paid on time.

Quickbooks or Sage

Just remember in Excel there is a high chance in a large spreadsheet of a formula error!!

Personally I use Quickbooks, never really got on with Sage, and the fcat that at my fingertips I have Accounts receivable, Accounts Payable and P&Ls (monthly, quarterly, annual, in fact whatever date range I want). Helps me ensure I get money in on time, pay suppliers on time and know the state of my business (expecially keep track of profit!). You do have to keep it up to stae though!

davidy

[thewave]

Exigeowner said:

the wave, cant seem to email or Pm you

I've just e-mailed you the sheet

[Exigeowner]

Thanks for all your help and advise,

Im sure your right DavidY, Frankly speaking its a poor excuse but im terrible at computers and computer programs, I know I could buy sage not be able to work it and then it will be unused and a waste of money,

However im becoming more and more aware about the cash flow and knowing whats going on, I often have to finance things up to 90 days, also alot of what I do is paying VAT to customs on arrival and not Vat charged going out so Im usually having to wait 90 days plus to get the Vat back,

I know with the writting in the book the only thing that can go wrong is me rather than a computer system I dont fully understand.

[DavidY]

All I can say is the quicker you do it (go electronic) the sooner it will be when you say I wish I'd done that sooner!!!

davidy

[thewave]

QB is okay, simple to use, and flexible.

SAGE is okay, so long as the person has good knowledge of double entry.

In the hands of a fool, both are a complete nightmare from an end users point of view. Usually the user says "I've done it all for you" too

[Eric Mc]

At which point us accountants cut our throats.

[wattsm666]

Agree with DavidY, take the plunge and go on a 1 day course. Easier to get going now rather than when you have grown into something bigger and it is more grief to change.