Title says it all really.

Self employed, receipts and invoices in assorted shoe boxes. Waking up in the night sweating about tax/VAT.

I need to get my ship in order so need a simple, fool proof program that will sort me out - would need it t help me with VAT, tax and invoices.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated!

I bought some from ebay, it was about £12 and very good. In the end though it was too complex for my simple needs and I ended up knocking up my own spreadshhet. I'm not VAT registered though, so am fairly straightforward.

Thanks CatMandu - that's the thing isn't it, I don't want anything too complicated cause then using it'll just be another thing that I avoid!

Have a look on ebay and see, it might be fine for your needs I think the seller was called MrSpreadsheet.

I just use Excel.

DP has a very simple business though. He is a driving instructor so only has 1 income, and a few expenditures.

He is not VAT registered.

Thanks - will have another google about. I think I need something that keeps tabs of income over a rolling 12 month period - actually having typed that I realised I don't have the faintest idea what I'm talking about so may not make any sense.

Blarg. I hate money.

I don't think any of the accounting programs on the market make it any easier or less confusing for the self-employed. It is actually very easy, all you need is a couple of lists each month, and add up the totals. But if you don't know what it is you are aiming for it is not easy to get started.

Have you seen the accounting books they do in Smiths/Rymans with pre-printed pages for each month? Try following one of those for a couple of months, then you will have enough idea to set up something that works best for you.

Thanks MrVibrating.That's a good idea.

I think it's the prospect of VAT that's freaking me out. It's an unknown quantity to me - do you know if the pre-printed pages would help with that kind of thing?

I have used SAGE and Quick Books which are both ok - but to be honest I would use Excel as its simpler and unless you are ok with the accounting terms it can be even more confusing.

Thanks Jazzicatz - I think it's safe to say that I am NOT ok with accounting terms...