Accounting software - any farming ones recommended?

[JimAndy]

I used sage before which I hated with a passion

That what i'm currently using and i hate it (only using it because it what my accountant recommended)

was it possible to move your data from saga to xero. or did you just start fresh

 

[Boysground]

This might help

Move Clients to Xero Accounting Software for Free | Xero

Make the move from Sage or Quickbooks to Xero. It’s easy to move your clients to Xero online accounting software with free Movemybooks conversion.

www.xero.com

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[db9go]

SUM-IT

 

[teslacoils]

I use QuickBooks.

But my choice was simply because my accountant uses it.

 

[Red Fred]

Does anyone use Natwest Freeagent? It seems to come free if you are a business customer.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

If you have a mixed business with livestock then Sum-It is very good.
It is getting a bit dated and needs to become Cloud based which is being promised.

 

[Highland Mule]

Does anyone use Natwest Freeagent? It seems to come free if you are a business customer.

I use RBS FreeAgent , but not for the farm. Works well, suits me and saves a chunk of admin time for me.

 

[Red Fred]

I use RBS FreeAgent , but not for the farm. Works well, suits me and saves a chunk of admin time for me.

I think I might give it a whizz,.

 

[Bald Rick]

Kashflow here …. But only because my accountant makes me

Hate money tbh

 

[yellow belly]

Hi all

I have a small farm business and have to ‘go digital’ this year for VAT returns etc.

Non-farming friends have recommended Xero. Apparently it might have an agricultural package you can add on?

Does anyone have any experience of this or is there a good one that most farmers use?

I only need something simple to issue invoices and keep track of expense invoices, then submit to tax man. Ideally i’d like to record time sheets too though, and record mileage.

All thoughts appreciated.

Cheers

My accountants recommended zero
we use it they set it up with our data from sage
now have everything on zero once entered can look up every thing without opening a file

 

[Keen to learn]

All : Very belatedly i just wanted to thank everyone for the replies on this.

I went with Xero in the end, and so far (fingers crossed) I’m glad I did. Very helpful that you all suggested that.

Early days but it does seem quite intuitive.

Cheers all

 

[Steevo]

All : Very belatedly i just wanted to thank everyone for the replies on this.

I went with Xero in the end, and so far (fingers crossed) I’m glad I did. Very helpful that you all suggested that.

Early days but it does seem quite intuitive.

Cheers all

Well done.

You’ll be finding this thread handy then…

Xero - tips and tricks

Just starting to use Xero for the new tax year onwards. Set up the bank account, can create rules ok, and starting to get the hang of it. What else should I know? Any tips and trick appreciated! I'm planning to watch some of the Xero Youtube videos before long too.

thefarmingforum.co.uk

 

[tepapa]

Does anyone use Natwest Freeagent? It seems to come free if you are a business customer.

I tried the free option for a month. It's cheap but very basic and limited compared to Xero/QB's. For a small scale business it would be adequate.

 

[Clive]

Those using xero, does it take loads of time out of the job? Mother uses a new version of key prime and it seems to be pretty time consuming. i wondered if we got XERO i could do it all with it just being checked once a week? Been told a child could use it!

a child could use it - very user friendly

 

[Clive]

accounts are accounts - this bizarre idea that agricultural needs farming specific accounts software has always confused me !

Xero, Quickbooks or Sage are the standard here - xero is my preference as its just so user friendly

 

[Clive]

All - this is great, i really appreciate it.

looks like Xero it is then!

Does anyone know if it has the option to track milage? Similarly record time (e.g. record hours i’m spending on different enterprises)? Both would be handy.

Thanks for your help all.

yes - there is a expenses addon that does this.

 

[farmerdan7618]

accounts are accounts - this bizarre idea that agricultural needs farming specific accounts software has always confused me !

Xero, Quickbooks or Sage are the standard here - xero is my preference as its just so user friendly

Very true for the back end software, the farming specific packages don't really do bookkeeping or farm management very well.

Sage is very accountant friendly, but takes a bit of learning to use, QuickBooks the other end of the spectrum, easy to use, but terrible reporting for accountants.

Xero is a really good balance between the two, and is my go to software (use it for the farm and dairy business too)

The farming specific accountant part is much more about advice, both business and tax. If I took my colleagues that deal with construction, they wouldn't know much about farmers averaging, deemed stock values or Agricultural Property Relief. But equally, I go to them if something on CIS or Options to tax come up.

 

[RFR]

Looking at Xero, those that have it which did you chose? starter pack is £14 a month, standard is £28. Is the starter sufficient for a 600ac arable farm?

 

[Boysground]

Just had a look and it says 5 bills and 20 invoices on starter, I guess this is monthly. Doesn’t seem enough for a decent sized arable farm. I’m on standard and very happy with it.
In Xero talk a bill is something you pay, an invoice is something you receive.


There is a big Xero thread on here, always worth a look or ask a question

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[Steevo]

Looking at Xero, those that have it which did you chose? starter pack is £14 a month, standard is £28. Is the starter sufficient for a 600ac arable farm?

Do you need invoicing?

If not, and just reconciliation and VAT returns, speak to your accountant. I have a Xero VAT Cashbook which is £9.50 a month invoiced through my accountant on an annual basis. It's not available direct.

I'm pretty sure they get commission from it or similar. https://www.xero.com/uk/campaign/partner/xero-ledger-and-cashbook/