Can anyone advise on computer accounts packages?

[kittiefisher]

I need a computer accounts package. I know and understand bookkeeping and accounts so I don't want a 'for dummies' package, I want a proper grown-up one! I have been running specialised programmes recently (eg Solicitors Accounts) so am out of touch with ordinary accounts packages.
We are a fairly small concern that has for years merrily worked off spreadsheets but I need to upgrade because we are about to register for VAT. I don't need any add-ons eg not payroll, stock, production, etc but I would like to do departments (though I could set up nominal codes to get round this, if necessary).
Has anybody got any recommendations? Sage is the obvious but somebody has told me that the Cloud version has an appalling audit trail and that nominal reporting is user-unfriendly.

I used Sage for years but have been using Xero with a new company and much prefer it.

It's in the cloud and very intuitive - it does a lot for you!

Xero is really easy to use, you can have it on a tablet, and just take photos of purchase invoices etc, which upload straight to the creditors account.

Sage cloud is awful, it's not really an online version, you still need to have the software downloaded on each device.

I am currently in the process of moving from Sage to Xero.

It's also a lot cheaper than Sage.

very intuitive - it does a lot for you!
I'm wary of computers that think they know better than me.

Bump for the evening crowd.

I use Sage, Quickbooks, and Xero.

For you I would advise Xero, it's so easy, and cost wise at £10 per month starter, then £24 for standard, it's probably your cheapest.

I wouldnt recommend Sage Cloud. It's an absolute pain.

I've heard good things about Xero but not used.

Agree with zero. So easy to use.

Xero even!

I'm currently using quickbooks, but am trying to convince my employer to move us across to xero.

We use Sage, Freeagent, Quickbooks, Kashflow and Xero in our accountancy practice. Avoid Sage like the plague - it's awful. Freeagent is mostly for one man businesses such as contractors. Kashflow doesn't have functionality like cost centres/departments. Your two remaining options are Quickbooks and Xero. We find Quickbooks has a few too many idiocyncracies which make it hard to use sometimes although reporting is good. In our opinion, the best "grown up" system is Xero - it has good reporting functions, cost centres/departments, is easy to use, but is also robust and professional - some of the others look and feel as if they've been created by amateurs but Xero looks and works professionally. For similar price bands, it's a no brainer really. In case you forgot my earlier remark, avoid Sage like the plague!!

There's a lot of love for Xero!
Thanks for your replies, everyone.

We tried Xero initially but we hated it. Moved to Quickbooks and it's much more suited to our business which is all about clients and projects rather than products. The most valuable thing we have found is the phone support - whatever product you go for make sure they have proper phone support, I have gone from being a complete novice and I still sometimes need QB support - even our accountant can't answer some of my queries and he thinks he's a QBs expert! They have been endlessly patient. Best to make sure your accountant is familiar with the software you decide on. I set up dummy trial accounts on both xero and QBO to try them out.

Xero. Have never needed any help using it. Super easy to use

Definitely Xero!

I have used most of them in our accountancy practice, I would recommend Quickbooks online or xero. Personally I prefer QBO but it is a matter of personal taste.

I would avoid Sage online like the plague. It is not user friendly, easy to make mistakes and difficult to correct them. At least with QBO you can make a correction and it will automatically be adjusted in the next VAT return, with Sage you can't amend some transactions, so you're left with trying to cancel out the old one and do a new one with the desired result. Not always easy for standard users.

even our accountant can't answer some of my queries and he thinks he's a QBs expert! As for this, even us QBO Advanced Pro-Advisers don't know absolutely everything!! I will say I know the answer to 99/100 QBO queries clients have though.

As a pp said, it is important to talk to your accountant about which software they recommend for your individual business and it is likely they can get you a discount on it too.

Xero
In my previous job I worked with a lot of Accountants across the country who used just about every accounts package going and xero always came out on top. I was selling a software add on a had to be familiar with all of the packages so know most of them quite well.
Don’t go for SAGE, it used to be the gold standard but the newcomers have caught up and xero has overtaken.
Speak to your accountant they should be able to offer you a discounted license and training, first hour or so should really be free.

I use Xero every day. It's very easy to use, I particularly like the ability to link to bank accounts for easy bank rec and to email purchase invoices and Xero completes most of the details. VAT returns are very simple with MTD.

@CharteredBeanCounter

I have used most of them in our accountancy practice, I would recommend Quickbooks online or xero. Personally I prefer QBO but it is a matter of personal taste.

I would avoid Sage online like the plague. It is not user friendly, easy to make mistakes and difficult to correct them. At least with QBO you can make a correction and it will automatically be adjusted in the next VAT return, with Sage you can't amend some transactions, so you're left with trying to cancel out the old one and do a new one with the desired result. Not always easy for standard users.

even our accountant can't answer some of my queries and he thinks he's a QBs expert! As for this, even us QBO Advanced Pro-Advisers don't know absolutely everything!! I will say I know the answer to 99/100 QBO queries clients have though.

As a pp said, it is important to talk to your accountant about which software they recommend for your individual business and it is likely they can get you a discount on it too.

But will your accountant charge you for the QBO advice? I honestly have found QBO helpdesk to be very helpful, occasionally I get someone who is rubbish but generally their staff are very helpful.

But will your accountant charge you for the QBO advice? I honestly have found QBO helpdesk to be very helpful, occasionally I get someone who is rubbish but generally their staff are very helpful.

I don’t generally charge clients for QBO advice, after all it’s in my interests too that they do a decent job of it. I occasionally charge for correcting things if they have made a right cock up but that is very rare. I always tell them I would prefer them to ask questions if they are unsure rather than carry on.

I offer an initial hour or so intro to the software and then check in and do it again after they have actually used it for a couple of months. Earth enough to steer them in the right direction without having to undo much if necessary.

Early enough not earth enough!