Accounting software

[plumb_know]

Hi everyone,

I have been self employed for 2 years now but having 2 young children and now 2 separate business's to run I keep falling behind with the books which leads to a full on couple of days every few months when the receipts stacks get too much to bare. I currently just file everything in order in files and keep a excel sheet on pc, but i have been recommended xero accounting software and also seen sage software. I am wondering if anyone on here uses these or any other accounting software and are they any good and helped you keep on top of your books? I also currently use invoice 2 go for invoicing but with these accounting software they also do invoices so would scrap invoice 2 go.

Advice greatly appreciated

 

[ShaunCorbs]

sage is very good and easy to use once you know how

 

[plumb_know]

Thanks yes believe both software I mentioned have 30day free trial so will give them a try. Do you know if I would have to have 2 seperate accounts or if I should be able to run both business's through the one account package?

 

[Radioman]

I've always used excel from day one. The reason was it was free, my accountant used it, and it could be used for graphs and charts

 

[plumb_know]

I am using excel at the moment but find it time consuming as I understand it accounting software is linked to bank accounts so as payments are made and paid in it automatically forms a spread sheet for you and also links to PayPal for payments through this. Also my account can have a password to gain access at anytime so hopefully will free me up a lot more time and help me stay on top of the books if it works as advertised.

 

[Alfthepipe]

Have used Quickbooks for years, much easier to understand than Sage. Helps me keep on top of VAT etc quite easily. Yes you can have multiple companies as well.