Accounting

Ratings and Reviews of Accounting Software

Accounting Software

The accounting software you purchase is the operations "heart" of your business. We strongly recommend that you take some time with this choice. Speak with other folks you know that operate businesses from their homes that are similar to yours. And, make sure that you are willing to have the discipline to work with the software to ensure that your business' financial records are accurate and

comprehensive. Therefore, some things to keep in mind:

If you plan to do not only your own accounting but also your own tax reporting, we recommend that you choose your accounting and tax preparation software from the same manufacturer. This will cut down on incompatibilities and smooth the "tech support" process if you do run into trouble.
If you are using an accountant or bookkeeper, you can either choose your software based on what your accountant/bookkeeper prefers or choose your account/bookkeeper based on the software that you have chosen. By the way, by using accounting software, you actually will save time and money working with your accountant or bookkeeper. You'll just have to email or send them some files on a diskette! No paper involved (unless you are audited of course, but even in that case, paper requirements are vastly reduced).
Tracking your progress, noting trends, making sure your customers are paying - all important things that your accounting software should simplify for you. Make sure the software you choose can!
Integration with your systems and software is important too! Can you email invoices or statements? Can you import your contact database from another program like Microsoft's Outlook? The better your software systems work together, the more productive you'll be.
Upgrades and updates are critical. Tax tables change all the time. How are software upgrades and updates handled? What is the long term cost of your software choice!

Web Home Office Reports

Ready to start counting those $$'s? We're off!

Some manufacturers offer more than one package in this category. We'll review them in table format within that manufacturer's detailed review.

More information on accounting software can be found at:

Accounting Software Directory

A one stop resource for all your accounting software needs.

http://www.accountingsoftware2000.info

Accounting Software Review

Accounting Software*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)

Company	Best For*	Simple Start-Up	Cost	Time Savings	Ease of Use	Works With	Support	Features	Overall Rating
Araize	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pppp	iiii	%%%%
Avanquest	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pp	iii1/2	%%%1/2
Banana	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp	iii1/2	%%%1/2
BigEZ	AR	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp1/2	iii+	%%%1/2
Flexquarters Software	RP	¹¹¹	$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYY	pp1/2	iii1/2	%%%1/2
G7 Productivity Systems	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp	iii1/2	%%%1/2
Intuit	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY1/2	pppp1/2	iiiii	%%%%1/2
Microsoft	AR	¹¹¹¹	$$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pppp1/2	iiii	%%%%
MyBusinessKit	AR	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp	iii	%%%
MYOB	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY1/2	pppp	iiii	%%%%
NetLedger	RP	¹¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	pppp	iiii1/2	%%%%+
Peachtree	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY1/2	pppp	iiii	%%%%
Sage Software	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pppp	iii1/2	%%%%
Socrates	AR	¹¹¹¹	$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp1/2	iii1/2	%%%1/2
Turtle Creek Software	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp1/2	iiii	%%%%

* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro

Araize

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Araize's FastFund accounting packages are designed to help fund raisers easily manage basic accounting functions as well as tracking program costs, donor lists, memberships, printing gift acknowledgements and receipts and more. FastFund simplifies the complexities of fundraising and accounting for and reporting on the dispersal of funds.

Cost - $$$

FastFund is not an inexpensive package. The Basic Accounting Package (General ledger, budgets, check writing, reporting and bank reconciliation) is priced at $395. Additional modules include: Accounts Receivable - $200.00; Accounts Payable - $200.00; Allocations - $200.00; FastFund Raising - $595.00; FastFund Raising Report Writer - $195.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
FastFund Basic Accounting Package v2.5	$595.00, 5 users, additional $495.00	Windows	Accounting Software for Fund Raisers	General ledger - includes cash receipts, cash disbursements, check writing, budges, financial statements and bank reconciliation 6 segments for funds Includes company data, chart of accounts, lists, transaction entry, activities and reports Budgets - entered for year, distributed each month; compare budget versus actual Check writing - reschedule vendor invoices, partial payments, payments to non-vendors, reports of scheduled payments Reports - revenue and expense reports, two formats for financial statements - columnar and FASB-117, group and assign funds, cost centers, fund-cost centers and object codes, prepare cash flow statements Bank reconciliation - confirm cash balance accuracy Built-in tax tables (all states) Automatic accrual of vacation hours Calculate after-tax deductions such as employee contributions to health plans, disability insurance premiums and donations Batch processing mode Step-by-step payroll wizard Automatic payment of payroll tax liabilities Built-in word processor Duplicate donor check Merge and purge donor records Batch entry De-activate donors "Do not mail" designations Automatic recording of acknowledgements Zip code database
Accounts Payable	$200.00	Windows	Accounts Payable Software Module	Integrated with general ledger List of vendors with names, addresses, contacts and accounts Record vendor invoices Schedule payments and print checks Maintain subsidiary ledge for each accounts payable account Vendor history and activity Prepare 1099s for vendors on IRS approved forms or generate 1099s on magnetic media
Accounts Receivable	$200.00	Windows	Accounts Receivable Software Module	Integrated with general ledger Create list of clients with names, addresses, contacts and accounts receivable control accounts and payment terms Track 4 types of billing and receivable sources for each client Record clients invoices Apply payments against invoices Maintain subsidiary ledge for each accounts receivable account History of client activity
Allocations	$200.00	Windows	Allocations Software Module	Monitor direct and indirect costs of all programs Compare budgets before allocation of costs Allocate both detailed budgets and actual expenditures, compare results "What if" capability
FastFund Raising	$595.00, multi-user up to 5 users additional $495.00	Windows	Fund Raising Software	To do list Corporate gift matching integration In-kind contributions Pledge payment scheduling Allow for funds, campaigns, appeals and gifts to be marked "inactive" Import names, addresses and telephone numbers Alumni and membership tracking Fund, campaign, appeal and gift management Print gift acknowledgements and gift receipts Reporting	Export reports in HTML, Excel, PDF, Lotus 1, 2, 3, Quattro, TF, XHTML, BMP, Text and ReportText
FastFund Accounting - Reports	$195.00	Windows	Reporting software	Designed to meet FASB-116 and FASB117 requirements Generate reports on funding sources, revenue and expenditures Two formats for statements - columnar and FASB-117 Name all columns and line items Group and assign funds, cost centers, fund-cost centers and object codes Prepare cash flow statements with worksheets
Payroll	$295.00 Tax table subscription $125.00 per year Direct deposit $50.00 Multi-User (5) $495.00	Windows	Payroll Software Module	Prepare quarterly reports of Federal, state and local taxes as well as year-end W2 forms Pay employees at multiple rates and distribute earnings to multiple accounts Multiple payroll periods Reporting and check writing Reports include - payroll journal, employee earnings, allocation of earnings, distribution of earnings by employee, payroll history, earnings by general ledger account, federal state and local tax reports

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

If you are attempting to raise funds for a charity or other institution, you'll need to squeeze every penny and every minute out of your available resources. Software like Araize's FastFund line can save both time and money for the budding "fund raiser".

Ease of Use - @@@@

Araize has made every attempt to make their FastFund software accessible for the non-accounting "pro".

Works With - YYY

Araize's fund raising and accounting software works in the Windows environment only.

Support - pppp

Araize's technical support is free for the first year. After that support is priced at: one module - $200 per year, two modules - $300 per year, three modules - $400 per year and 4 or more modules is $500 per year. Araize also offers training classes to help you use their software effectively. Training costs are: $60/hour; onsite - $600 per day (plus expenses), classes sponsored by Araize - $300 per person.

Features - iiii

Araize offers a nice set of functionality (if you purchase the modules and spend the money) to make managing funds, campaigns, donor lists and electronic fund raising possible. Their "one-stop shop" approach is appealing to folks who need to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Overall Rating - %%%%

If you are a fund raiser and need to manage the finances and programs and people for your charity or institution, Araize's software solutions offer a cost effective and fast option.

Avanquest

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Avanquest's software is designed for use by home and small business users. They've simplified installation and the user interface needed to perform most tasks.

Cost - $$$$

Small Business Pro is priced at $89.95, Bookkeeper 2007 Tax Table Updates at $24.95 and Bookkeeper 2008 at $39.95.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
Bookkeeper 2008	$39.95	Windows 2000, XP, Vista	Accounting Software	Start-up wizard Import product, customer and vendor data Check writing payroll and timesheets Apply multiple sales tax rates to invoices Billing and invoicing Export invoices and estimates to PDF Email invoices and estimates general ledger Payables and receivables Credit card processing Pay bills with credit, debit, ATM cards Add freight costs to purchase orders Purchase orders Inventory control Budgeting Job Tracking 115 custom reports
Bookkeeper 2007 Tax Table Updates	$24.95	Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP	Payroll Tax Table Updates for Bookkeeper 2007	Update Bookkeeper with current Federal and State tax rates to process payroll	Bookkeeper 2007
Small Business Pro	$89.95	Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003	Accounting Software	Fast setup - import contacts and schedule evens from Microsoft Outlook Create invoices and estimates Manage payables and receivables Manage and control inventory Analyze business with financial statements - income, balance sheet, cash flow, profit and loss, general ledger, trial balance, journals, forecasting, monitoring Track customer communication, meetings and tasks Create and publish company web store - 120 templates, 55,000 web graphics Design and print marketing materials Expense tracking Bank synchronization Business card design Labels creator Mail list manager	Microsoft Outlook

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

Using software to perform basic tasks such as invoicing, check writing and payroll calculation is a huge boost to every business owner's productivity.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Avanquest's software interfaces are straight forward and easy to use.

Works With - YYY

Avanquest software is designed for the Windows environment only.

Support - pp

You get what you pay for. Cheap software - expensive technical support. In fact, technical support, if you need to speak to a "live" body, will cost more than the software itself! $24.95 for the first 10 minutes (and how many tech support calls have you had resolve in 10 minutes or less?) and $2.95 per minute after that. And by the way, this is not an "800" number, you'll be paying long distance charges as well (unless you have one of those new "bundled" local and long distance packages from MCI, SBC or Verizon!). Finally, tech support is only available 7 AM to 4 PM Pacific Monday through Friday (with the exception of Wednesday when they close at 2 PM!). Basically, if you need help - throw out the software and kiss your $40 or $30 good-bye!

Features - iii1/2

Avanquest's software solutions offer basic capabilities at a competitive price. The most attractive package is Small Business Pro which includes customer management (Outlook integration) with basic accounting as well as web store creation and marketing collateral development templates. Small Business Pro also includes the ability to manage mailing lists, produce business cards and create mailing labels.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

Again, Avanquest offers "quick and cheap" solutions for home-based businesses. We are less than impressed however, with their support strategies.

Banana

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Banana Accounting 5.0 is designed to deliver international accounting capabilities simply and easily. Banana has automated most of the "mundane" setup tasks to get you going faster.

Cost - $$$$

Banana Accounting is priced at € $79.00, the upgrade is € $55.00.

Software

Price

O/S Supported

Overview

Features

Compatibility

Banana Accounting 5.0

€ $79.00

upgrade € $55.00

Windows NT 4.0, 2000, XP

Accounting Software

Installation templates and wizards
Double-entry accounting method
Multi-company support
Multi-currency support
VAT management
Data security ensured through certification system approved by Ernst & Young
Reporting
Online and CD-based training
Email invoices and other documents
Manage income and expenses for multiple accounts
Password protection
Personalized XML style sheet support
Developers Kit

Microsoft Excel, XML, HTML

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

Accounting software like that from Banana will make you more productive, automating mundane record keeping and reporting functions.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Banana has designed the software for the home/small business user. Their user interface is one of the product's differentiators.

Works With - YYY

Banana Accounting 4.0 is designed for the Windows environment only.

Support - ppp

Banana has a rich technical support area on their web site. Lot of forums, discussion, technical information and training help. Telephone support is a problem. This is a Swiss company, and you'll have to call Switzerland (and pay the international long distance toll charges) if you need immediate (rather than email) support.

Features - iii1/2

The biggest feature plus for Banana Accounting 4.0 is its ability to manage the complexities of international business (Value Added Tax - VAT, multiple currencies). If you are planning to do business internationally - especially in Europe, the Banana software would be a big help.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

Banana Accounting 5.0 is a strong entrant for home based business owners planning on working in or doing business with European entities. The down side of a Banana purchase is technical support. Even though Banana does provide strong training and email support, if you have an immediate need/emergency, a call to Switzerland to solve the problem could prove as costly as paying support costs on other packages from U.S.-based concerns.

Big E-Z

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Nice company name. If you are comfortable with Microsoft Excel, these products will prove to be a "breeze" for you to use.

Cost - $$$$

Big E-Z Monthly Bookkeeping (65 checks and deposits each month) is priced at $29.95; Bigger E-Z (150 checks and deposits each month) at $39.95; Receivables and Payables Module is $14.95 and Payroll Module is $14.95. Big E-Z now offers two software bundles. Bundle 1 includes Big E-Z Monthly Bookkeeping Software, Big E-Z Receivables & Payables and Big E-Z Payroll for $49.95 and Bundle 2 includes Bigger E-Z Bookkeeping Software, Big E-Z Receivables & Payables and Big E-Z Payroll for $59.95. And for those of you who can't give up the paper, Big E-Z offers two paper-based solutions: System 1 is $45.00, double pack for $59.95, and System 2 at $45.00, double pack $59.95.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
*Big E-Z Monthly Bookkeeping (65 checks and deposits each month)*	$29.95	Windows, Microsoft Excel 97 or later	Bookkeeping Add-On for Microsoft Excel	Worksheets for check listing and checkbook balance, deposits, cash-charges, bank reconciliation, profit (loss) summary with budget information	Microsoft Excel 97 or later
*Bigger Big E-Z (150 checks and deposits each month)*	$39.95	Windows, Microsoft Excel 97 or later	Bookkeeping Add-On for Microsoft Excel	Worksheets for check listing and checkbook balance, deposits, cash-charges, bank reconciliation, profit (loss) summary with budget information	Microsoft Excel 97 or later
*Big E-Z Receivables & Payables Module*	$14.95	Windows, Microsoft Excel 97 or later	Receivables and Payables Add-On	Track invoices and payments to and from vendors and customers	Microsoft Excel 97 or later
*Big E-Z Payroll Module*	$14.95	Windows, Microsoft Excel 97 or later	Payroll Add-On	Use with government tax tables or Internet based payroll tax calculators Write employee paychecks based on calculations in add-on	Microsoft Excel 97 or later
Complete Paper Bookkeeping System #1 for the Smallest of Businesses	$45.00, Double Pack $59.95	Not Applicable	Bookkeeping System	Helpful tips and glossary of terms Binder with tabbed sections including: 18 check listing pages 16 deposit listing pages 12 cash and charge listing pages 12 receivable listing pages 1 bank reconciliation form for year 4 quarterly profit and loss summaries
Complete Paper Bookkeeping System #2 with Payroll for the Smallest of Businesses	$45.00, Double Pack $59.95	Not Applicable	Bookkeeping System	Helpful tips and glossary of terms Binder with tabbed sections including: 18 check listing pages 16 deposit listing pages 12 cash and charge listing pages 12 receivable listing pages 1 bank reconciliation form for year 4 quarterly profit and loss summaries 8 employee payroll records

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

A better and much simpler solution than writing checks by hand and trying to manage your books using paper and pencil!

Ease of Use - @@@@

If you can use Excel, you can easily use these products.

DETAILS worksheet: This worksheet allows you to capture all of the details of your invoices to and payments from your customers or vendors.

Works With - YYY

Big E-Z is for the Windows environment only.

Support - ppp1/2

Big E-Z's web site includes a FAQ and software downloads. If you need more help, they have a main "800" number you can call.

Features - iii+

Big E-Z offers straight forward bookkeeping functionality in these packages based on Excel templates. If you don't need, or want, the capabilities provided in more comprehensive accounting packages - this is a simple straight forward solution.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

Just love Excel or even paper? Don't have a complex accounting environment (or want one!)? One of Big E-Z's Excel template or paper solutions are for you.

Flexquarters Software

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹

Flexquarters makes software to extend integration of QuickBooks to Microsoft Office applications. As such, there are not "simple" add-ons, and may well incur installation and implementation problems. Also, it would be expected that if you required this type of integration and tools, that you are a "power" user - and simplicity isn't necessarily your first priority so....

Cost - $$$

Flexquarters Software makes add-ons for QuickBooks - pricing is detailed in the table below.

Software

Price

O/S Supported

Overview

Features

Compatibility

QODBC Driver for QuickBooks v8.0

Desktop Edition Read Only $149.00, DesktopEdition Read Write Driver $199.00, Server Edition Read Writer Driver $499.00

Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, NT 4.0, XP

QuickBooks Add-On

Extends reading and writing of QuickBooks files to ODBC-compliant applications
Remote access access for QuickBooks users running anywhere including over the Internet
Pass through SQL technology
Combines multiple passes
Exclude data from synchronization process
Data available includes units of measure, manufacturer part numbers

Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Visual Basic, PowerBuilder, Delphi.

QuickBooks Pro 2004, 2005, QuickBooks Pro 2006, 2007, 2008 QuickBooks Online

QReportBuilder

$299.00

Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, NT 4.0, XP

QuickBooks Add-On

Visual QuickBooks reporting
Merge QuickBooks data with data from Excel spreadsheets
Merge data from multiple companies or reports into one report
Complete display control with drag and drop
Pre-built report formats and data structures
Report Genie creates basic report format with one click
Filters and columns not available in QuickBooks
Create reports, custom invoices, mail merge letters, address labels
Email reports as secure PDF, Microsoft Word, Text or Web HTML documents

Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Visual Basic, PowerBuilder, Delphi.

QuickBooks Pro 2004, 2005, QuickBooks Pro 2006,2007, 2008 QuickBooks Online

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

If your business requires smooth integration across office applications and QuickBooks these tools will be a big boost to your productivity.

Ease of Use - @@@1/2

You'll have to have some experience to use the tools effectively.

Works With - YYY

Flexquarters software is designed for the Windows environment.

Support - pp1/2

Flexquarters offers no help to you from their web site. Support via phone is offered free for 30 days, then is priced at $30.00 per incident thereafter.

Features - iii1/2

Nice add-ons if you know what you are doing and have a specific business need to integrate operations across applications.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

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