Sage
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Exigeowner

Original Poster:

873 posts

231 months

Wednesday 21st November 2007
quotequote all
Following on from an earlier posting about my accounts and reccomendations from others here I have decided to get a full computerised system.

I will probably go for Sage as its what my accountant uses and I have some limited knowledge of SOP and POP from a few years passed.

Can anybody advise what Sage package im most likely to need, I worry that if I ask a Sage dealer for advise im likely to get sold a higher package than whats needed.

Will it be something line Line 50 ?

It will be for 3 users and if im using it for the accounts I would probably want to do SOP and POP as well.

Do I just go into PC world and get the box or should I be looking elsewhere ?

( thanks to all those that helped me with a excel simple accounts form last week )

plasticpig

12,932 posts

255 months

Wednesday 21st November 2007
quotequote all
Sage 50 Accounts Professional 2008 is the minimum package which supports SOP and POP. IIRC its about £1000. Also look at TAS Books 3 as this has SOP & POP functionality and is around £500.
Dont get bogged down in just buying Sage find the package which best reflects how your business operates.

thewave

14,866 posts

239 months

Thursday 22nd November 2007
quotequote all
plasticpig said:
Sage 50 Accounts Professional 2008 is the minimum package which supports SOP and POP. IIRC its about £1000. Also look at TAS Books 3 as this has SOP & POP functionality and is around £500.
Dont get bogged down in just buying Sage find the package which best reflects how your business operates.
TAS is actually quite a decent system, I was doing management accounts for a client a few years ago, and thought it was very easy to use, and well laid out. Worth looking at IMO.

CUE99T

1,021 posts

238 months

Friday 23rd November 2007
quotequote all
What about Microsoft Accounting 2008.

I use it and it's uite good actually from what I see so far.

I like the integration into word/excel and you can send stuff to your accountant or get him to tell you what he neeeds and then print it of or export it and sed it tohim/her.

Carsie

943 posts

234 months

Friday 23rd November 2007
quotequote all
Sage is the de facto product purely because everyone has heard of it though the reality is 1+1= 2 whatever software you use.

There are several pieces of software available and the majority are accredited by the ACCA

First decision is to decide your business requirement and how your business process's flow e.g what are the key business drivers, how many transactions, what type of transactions, what are your costing requirements,

Next decision is to decide the degree of integration with other systems to ensure validity of data (i.e no errors on accounting input!) e.g VISA card reconciliation,SOP and POP

Then I'd recommend looking at the productivity gains e.g do you want someone to rekey data or export via CSV or do you need real time integrated ledgers

Finally I'd look at the management information produced and what you're going to do with it, how it will affect your business decisions.

Only then would I make a decison about an accounts package- with respect to Eric et al You score the goals the accountant just counts them.

Drop me a line if you'd like some help I'm quite close to you.

Eric Mc

125,770 posts

295 months

Friday 23rd November 2007
quotequote all
Good advice - although I think accountants are a bit more useful than just mere counters. Deciding your business strategy is about many factors which include aspects such as remuneration and tax matters - which is where an accountant's advice can be invaluable.
Accountants come in all shapes and sizes. Some are more interested in helping their clients grow their businesses, some are content to just do the sums and submit the forms.
Clients also come in all shapes and sizes. Some want their accountant to be pro-active and involved. Some only want their accountant to do the bare minimum.