Quickbooks; alternative?

[LDNrevs]

I've been using Quickbooks but its so clunky and I only need / use a fraction of what's on offer. Does anyone have any good accounting programs that are more slick and refined. Only really need invoicing, receipts, and reports.

Any tips appreciated, thanks.

[Eric Mc]

Most accounting software assumes that the trader needs proper double entry book-keeping and accounting facilities. Quickbooks is no exception and, in my opinion, one of the easiest for non "accountancy nerds" (like me) to use.

If you just want very basic accounting records, without formalised debtor and creditor conytrol facilities, you might be better off reverting to something based on Excel spreadsheets.

You need to consult with your accountant to see what he/she might recommend.

[Smiler.]

I use Money (http://www.moneysoft.co.uk/), which I find a lot easier than Quickbooks.

[BaconBonce]

Been tinkering with Microsoft Office Accounting 2008 Express and it seems pretty good - and it's free!

http://www.msofficeaccounting.co.uk/Express.aspx 

[sparkyb999]

We have Quickbooks atm, and i hate it.

Just ordered sage. Our other company has been running sage for years, no complaints at all, very easy to use! and not expensive either.

When we bought this company, they run quickbooks, and i have tried to get on with it, but i dont like it, so have ordered sage. Going to start running it from year end.

[groomi]

sparkyb999 said:

We have Quickbooks atm, and i hate it.

Just ordered sage. Our other company has been running sage for years, no complaints at all, very easy to use! and not expensive either.

When we bought this company, they run quickbooks, and i have tried to get on with it, but i dont like it, so have ordered sage. Going to start running it from year end.

If the OP is finding Quickbooks too OTT for his needs, then Sage is hardly going to be more appropriate. I tried Sage originally, but found it too complicated so am switching to Quickbooks having managed with Excel spreadsheets int he interim.

[AndyADH]

I was just looking at the Microsoft accounting program and its only free for the UK version, The US version is only a 60 day trial.

Oh well does anyone know of any other free software?

[LDNrevs]

Quickbooks is just so clunky - it seems to gain a mind of its own, as Im navigating through it.

The Microsoft pack looks interesing, thanks for the heads up guys.

[DonnyMac]

I use quickbooks and I agree it's a bit much, but it saves my life, VAT at a press of a button, bank balance, forcasts, debtor reminders, client statements, invoicing - try to stick with it and it'll pay off (my accountant doesn't like it though... but that's a good thing )

[HRG]

AndyADH said:

I was just looking at the Microsoft accounting program and its only free for the UK version, The US version is only a 60 day trial.

Oh well does anyone know of any other free software?

Odd, I was waiting ages for a UK version... Must be getting my packages mixed up

[AndyADH]

When you go to the above link and switch to USA in the bottom left hand corner it switches to a 60 day free trail offer only. :-(

Oh well I guess I will have to buy a copy. At the moment I make do with Excel