SAGE basic accounts

[Cogcog]

Anybody use the basic system? Pros and Cons?

I am thinking about moving to electronic accounts from my simple Excel type records. I have downloaded the 15 day trial and it looks easy enough. I can see how I record the usual bills, but does anyone know how, as a one man band, I record my expenses such as rail fares, hotels, meals etc?

Should it reduce my accountancy bills?

[Audicab]

Sorry I can't answer your question but have you looked at Xero, a great online accounts system. We used to use Sage but switched over and it is so much easier.

[jammy_basturd]

Audicab said:

Sorry I can't answer your question but have you looked at Xero, a great online accounts system. We used to use Sage but switched over and it is so much easier.

Agree with this. Sage is what people used back in Victorian times. If Xero is too rich have a look at Kashflow (though I prefer Xero).

[Eric Mc]

Sage is beloved of accountants because it uses terms, expressions and techniques which "old fogeys" like me have used since we started training (using quills and large ledgers).

It works fine but is not very user friendly for those with little or no book-keeping or accounting knowledge.

[MrSparks]

I use Kash Flow in one business and Sage 50 in another.

Kash Flow hands down!! Much easier to use.

I do like the look of Xero as well though so that's worth a look at.

[s2kjock]

Cogcog said:

Should it reduce my accountancy bills?

It all depends on how well you use any system.

Good, clean, accurate accounting record output can reduce professional accountancy costs, but if you make a total mess of inputting data to Sage it can end up being more expensive to sort than excel records.

I met with a new client the other day and as their transaction levels were relatively low and they understood excel and the best way to use it, as well as taking on board some recommendations for improvement, we agreed it was the best way forward for the present time.

Best to discuss it with your accountant and agree what both you and he/she needs from the records and how best to get there.

[Eric Mc]

In my experience,. presenting what looks like reasonably balanced and reconciled figures to an accountant only offers a marginal reduction in what the accountant might end up charging. If the accountant does make use of the presented data properly, it MAY help him reduce his fees but sometimes it provides him with better information and using this he can then offer more pertinent and valuable advice to his client.

The best reason for having decently kept, properly balanced and reconciled double entry records is not the assumption that your accountancy fees might go down, but that you have better and more up to date financial data at your fingertips which allows YOU to run your business more effectively - which can save you loads more than just an accountancy fee.

[Cogcog]

Thanks for that. I have downloaded the Sage trial. Seems simple enough. I have uploaded products and customers, expenses seems a bit clumsy but I think I can overcome that. Others have recommended Xero.