Thread: Which small business accounting software is best?

I'm looking to purchase software for my dance business. I've read a lot of negative feedback about Quickbooks, especially the 2009 version, and would like to consider other software, too, before making a purchase.

Here are a few I've heard of for small businesses: (Keep in mind that I won't have employees and everything will be pretty simple, mostly just tracking expenses, profit, deductions for taxes, etc...)

Peachtree
Microsoft Money Home & Business
Quicken Home & Business
Quickbooks Pro 2006 ('06 seems to be the best one)

Thanks!!!
Mellilah

I track everything in an Excel spreadsheet, and it works great.

Don't go with Peachtree. I haven't used it in years but last time I looked at it, Peachtree is more designed to be used by accountants.

Quickbooks is pretty good for simple things but can get a bit complex if you don't have a good understanding of business accounting.

Quicken Home & Business may work for you, especially if you are used to using Quicken for personal accounts. It's very similar.

As Laura mentioned, if you just have really simple accounting needs, you can always just use Excel or other spreadsheet program.

My biz is simple but I do receive 1099s, deduct a portion of my house, utilize other deductions, keep tract of where I'm earning/spending, etc... I would like to make it easy for myself when taxes come.

Thanks for your help.

I have Quickbooks 2008 Manufacturing, and the support sucks. I bought it specifically due to it's compatibility with GoDaddy's shopping cart, and they nickle and dime you to death, they don't disclose fees, and they put off returning calls and answering questions until the time period for which you have paid for support expires. They suck donkey d*cks. I made them give me a refund, and am using my old Quickbooks from 1998.

Yeah. I read a lot of ad stuff about Quickbooks on Amazon reviews. Thanks, Halima.

Does the home accounting software also include the ability to produce and keep track of invoicing for income-tracking purposes?

I am looking for something that does that.

what does your accountant prefer?

For years, I used an excel spreadsheet to track. This year - my accountant aka father-in-law said, "please use quickbooks!!"

I have switched to Quickbooks this year..

I use Quickbooks and I've never had a problem with it. (and my Accountant is very happy too!)

Quickbooks has invoicing capabilities, too? I can send clients invoices?

Originally Posted by Azhia

Quickbooks has invoicing capabilities, too? I can send clients invoices?

Yes. You can set up your invoice (even customize it with your logo) and then print or email it to your clients.

It's not on your list, but I've used MYOB products happily for years. I recently moved to a current version of FirstEdge, which is a step down from the product I had before (an older version of what they're calling AccountEdge now) and I'm very happy with it.

I can't keep inventory or do payroll with the lower end version, but since I sell about 20 hipscarves a year and don't have employees, that's fine with me!

QB's if you have an accountant, easier for all to understand and import to our software.

As an accountant we love our clients the use Quickbooks. Though if you don't understand a little bit of the terminology it can be a little confusing. It has alot of capabilities and can generate many reports. I haven't used Peachtree is a few years, though when I was using it I felt it was very much like Quickbooks, but a little less user friendly for non accountants. If you just want to track expenses and income Quicken is simple and cheaper. The version I use at home is essentially a check registar. You can balance your checkbook and run reports grouped by expenses. A more complex software is not really necessary if you are not invoicing or have inventory.

Thanks for the suggestions! I will look into QuickBooks...