Accounting software any recommendations?

[Steevo]

Just keep it simple to start with. Learn how to get a bank statement on the system, pay a bill and issue an invoice. Once you can do them it’s easy to reconcile and do the vat return. That’s the 1st month done.

Don’t worry about scanning invoices and the fancy stuff for a few months. Take it one step at a time.

Bg

Wise words there!!! Best advice on the whole forum regarding Xero.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Don’t worry about scanning invoices and the fancy stuff for a few months

I quite like the ability to forward an email that has an invoice attached directly into the Xero mailbox.

Can easily do it from my phone, without having to be in the office and manually download the invoice from the email to then upload it to Xero. Saves quite a bit of time really.

 

[Steevo]

I quite like the ability to forward an email that has an invoice attached directly into the Xero mailbox.

Can easily do it from my phone, without having to be in the office and manually download the invoice from the email to then upload it to Xero. Saves quite a bit of time really.

Agree. It's quick too - in the box almost the second you click the send button.

I never scan any invoices into Xero - approx half or more are forwarded on from an email, the rest (e.g. petrol receipts) I just use the "Take Photo" option in the Xero app to add it to a purchase transaction after clicking "OK" on reconciling.

Hugely convenient when looking back through invoices too. Spotted that my car service invoice last year stated the timing belt was overdue which I had overlooked....so booked it in this year when it had its MOT. Couldn't do that with a bag of invoices that are stored up in the loft.

 

[wr.]

Thank you all for your replies. I thought £400 was quite steep seeing that we've been with the same accountants for nearly 40 years. I see there is a chance to try Xero for a month free of charge. I'll have a play around with it and see how it goes.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Hugely convenient when looking back through invoices too. Spotted that my car service invoice last year stated the timing belt was overdue which I had overlooked....so booked it in this year when it had its MOT. Couldn't do that with a bag of invoices that are stored up in the loft

How fast and convenient is it locating an invoice (and any supporting docs) from say 3 years ago. From wherever you are. Stood in the middle of a field. Bloody brilliant.

Or shall we revert to lever arch files or blinking boxes of receipts. Mmmmm nahhhh!!

 

[Steevo]

How fast and convenient is it locating an invoice (and any supporting docs) from say 3 years ago. From wherever you are. Stood in the middle of a field. Bloody brilliant.

Or shall we revert to lever arch files or blinking boxes of receipts. Mmmmm nahhhh!!

I don’t wish to suggest how others should run their business or the intricacies of different methods farmers use when carrying out their accounting....but personally I find the office much warmer, more comfortable and as a bonus has tea and biscuits.

But as I say....whatever suits for you! I’m really not sure it’ll catch on though....

At the very least next time consider taking a chair with you - at least then you won’t need to stand the whole time.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

I don’t wish to suggest how others should run their business or the intricacies of different methods farmers use when carrying out their accounting....but personally I find the office much warmer, more comfortable and as a bonus has tea and biscuits.

But as I say....whatever suits for you! I’m really not sure it’ll catch on though....

At the very least next time consider taking a chair with you - at least then you won’t need to stand the whole time.

 

[Boysground]

Agree. It's quick too - in the box almost the second you click the send button.

I never scan any invoices into Xero - approx half or more are forwarded on from an email, the rest (e.g. petrol receipts) I just use the "Take Photo" option in the Xero app to add it to a purchase transaction after clicking "OK" on reconciling.

Hugely convenient when looking back through invoices too. Spotted that my car service invoice last year stated the timing belt was overdue which I had overlooked....so booked it in this year when it had its MOT. Couldn't do that with a bag of invoices that are stored up in the loft.

I think my paper invoices have dropped by 30% in the last year. Most annoying is the companies that refuse to email invoices. Had 1 national business that many TFF users use email me a missing invoice, so I asked them to email all invoices and they said it was not possible. Far from impressed.

Bg

 

[Richard III]

Has anyone looked into bridging software for excel. Seemes to be a few listed on HRMC site. Came across one called vitaltax. Is it trustworthy being its free?

Just downloaded VitalTax onto Excel, seems good and very easy to use, but I can't work out what the company gains out of providing a supported but free piece of software.

I exported an excel file out of my old Farmplan software for it and there seemed to be no issues, so I'll probably just do that for now. I gave up paying for Farmplan software support about 10 years ago, so it's a very cheap system to run!

 

[Rob C321]

xero

 

[einstein]

One of the standard packages then:
https://www.xero.com/uk/pricing/


They also do packages for smaller clients if your accountant is a partner....in case anyone reading this wants a lower cost option.

https://www.xero.com/uk/features-and-tools/practice-tools/ledger-cashbook/

bit pricy if you ask me.im just a small seasonal business but they don't have anything for me.

 

[Mfrost]

i spoke to someone not that long ago from a company called figured, specialise in farm accounting - based in NZ but have a UK presence, might be worth a look but thats all the info i can give you! https://www.figured.com/uk/

 

[Mfrost]

i spoke to someone not that long ago from a company called figured, specialise in farm accounting - based in NZ but have a UK presence, might be worth a look but thats all the info i can give you! https://www.figured.com/uk/

Ignore me - i should read all pages of this topic before posting! already mentioned.

 

[Boysground]

As I understand it Figured is more an add on to Xero that can be used to do cost management.

Bg

 

[einstein]

does anyone know how many enterprises you can run on the 22£a month deal?

 

[einstein]

they aren't linked but run under the same trading name and vat number

 

[Boysground]

You should be able to do what ever you want, its just a matter of setting the heading codes as you want them and probably using the tracking a fair bit.

Bg

 

[flatliner]

Has anyone any experience of the Kingswood account package?