Obsolete accountancy software for obsolete people!

[Dry Rot]

When the hard disk crashed on the old PC running win XP that I keep for offline working, I lost all my accounts. (Yeah, I know. Backups!). The instalation CD for my accountancy program didn't work. I've been using Quicken for at least 15 years and strongly object to paying a monthly fee for anything to anybody! So lost accounts and lost software.

So, imagine my delight when I found the original Quicken 98 (and others) was available for free download (and free to use), from here: http://www.oldversion.com/windows/quicken-98 . I don't know if it works on a 'modern' PC but the site does list compatible machines. I found a copy of my accounts going back years on a flash drive, so all is saved!

Quicken. Free, easy, and simple to use. The company stopped supporting it a few years ago and now you have to pay a monthly fee to use an updated version that I'm told is not nearly as good. I've been doing my own accounts for years, ever since my accountant made a 25% error in adding up my bill and the next one failed to produce accounts when promised costing me several hundred £s, but then I'm a little guy and you may need one of these big blood suckers... erm.... I mean a proper professional.

Happy counting!

 

[Farfrae]

Glad that you rescued your accounts and a useful tip.

However, anyone over the VAT threshold is going to have to use authorised software from 2019 under the new Making Tax Digital regime and I believe that it's likely that all VAT returns will have to be submitted this way from 2020. I also believe that Income tax returns will have to be submitted the same way by the self employed in the not too distant future see

https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/making-tax-digital/mtd-guidance/mtd-and-income-tax

 

[Chae1]

Get free cloud based accounts package with rbs. Freeagent I think it's called. Links directly with your bank account obviously.

 

[Suffolk Serf]

I used Quicken for many years until persuaded otherwise by my accountant. Worked well and simple to use. Dirt cheap too.
Using Xero and a part-time bookkeeper now.

 

[Dry Rot]

Well, I did say 'obsolete', not once but twice!

I recently de-registered for VAT and told HMRC I've ceased trading. I'm pretty sure there was an audible sigh of relief. I got inspected once, duly delivered my egg box of receipts and got them back all sorted by date with the remark, "We won't be inspecting YOU again!"

I think Quicken can be linked to bank accounts digitally, but I don't know as I would not touch online banking with a barge pole. There are still businesses that refuse to accept cards up here, only cash or cheques. (Scottishs Highlands). It is one of the old fashioned features I like about the place!

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Not necessarily in your situation now @Dry Rot as you've ceased trading, but for any other small business wondering what to do about meeting the new MTD requirements......

Go cloud! Go Xero!

Get into the habit of attaching invoices directly - either simply forward/email them to your Xero account (each account has a dedicated inbox email address) or just upload them directly from your computer.

Should you be VAT inspected (we all are eventually) you will never “lose” another physical invoice again or have to go on the lever arch folder trawl ever again.

So definitely worth it for the few hundred quid a year the Xero sub costs, simply in saved time alone for invoice filing, let alone all the other bank reconciliation, invoicing, VAT filing, annual accounts, cash flow and forecasting features.

 

[deleted user 837354]

As above, might as well upgrade your accounting software, and your computer. Windows XP is no longer secure and is not worth keeping now unless it is on a space probe you can't reach.

 

[newbie]

Although it will still be possible to just use an excel spreadsheet for Making Tax Digital next year. You, or your accountant, will just need some 'bridging' software to upload your return to HMRC.

 

[jamj]

Where do you get "bridging software"?
I too don't mind buying something, but do object to the way most software is on a yearly fee.
Some of us don't have that many invoices.

 

[radar]

Where do you get "bridging software"?
I too don't mind buying something, but do object to the way most software is on a yearly fee.
Some of us don't have that many invoices.

Been told about Avalara bridging software which is free, and Absolute vat filer which is about £40, which connects to existing spreadsheets you might have. absolute have a youtube vid which explains all.

 

[jamj]

Thanks @radar

 

[newbie]

I will be using the Taxcalc VAT filer for any of my clients but I'm an accountant and use the Taxcalc software for accounts and tax already.
I think there will be quite a few available from different software companies.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-free-accounting-software

Gnu cash has been around for yonks.