What accounting system do you use for your business?

[Dardee]

In days gone by it was unusual to see anyone use anything other than MYOB and Quickbooks (less often) for their small business accounting. Turn to today and there are many more alternatives and business owners are more prepared to explore other options.

I'm interested to hear what others use and why.

I use Xero. I have used MYOB for a number of years but was impressed when Xero came on the market by what it could do. I was constantly frustrated by MYOB's upgrade process and support structures. Not to mention the usual dramas when trying to share files among multiple users over different sites. Xero has seen all these frustrations disappear. And, I believe in practising what I preach. If I am going to recommend it to others I want to be confident using it. Theres no better way than to put it into practice for myself.

[Chris Bates]

I think everyone here by now knows I use Xero as well. It's just... amazing! It borders on pleasurable, especially coming from MYOB.

Touching on something you said though Darren, sharing files. My Mum uses MYOB, and I'm constantly - CONSTANTLY - plagued with "Dearest Son, how do I send my MYOB to the accountant again?"

It seems even after 50 demonstrations and numerous written instructions, she hasn't figured out the concept of moving around that .MYO file...

I've been working hard to try and convert her to Xero, but no luck to date. I think the barrier entry issue is "I know MYOB, everything is already on MYOB, why bother moving". I can give you 100 reasons, but you still wont make the change!

So, why haven't YOU tried a demo of Xero yet? It's free.

[BusiMum]

After alot of thought and research I have gone with CashFlow Manager Gold. It is really simple for a non-book-keeper to use. For my customers I have a couple of book-keepers specialising in MYOB to help them. One of my girls uses CashFLow for her own books, that sold me.

[MikeFromEngageMarketing]

I use Saasu which is similar to Xero i believe. I'd used MYOB in a past life and found it to be OK but Saasu just seemed like better value to me.

[melbstrip]

I use a hybrid personal/business version by the makers of Quickbooks called Quicken. Ideal for my purposes right now. Tracks multiple bank accounts, issues and tracks tax invoices, allows me to easily keep records on all of my subcontractors, automatic and customised reports and much more.

My accounting background wants accurate financial data, but the "I've got enough on my plate" aspect of being a solo business operator wants my bookkeeping and cash management to be simple. Quicken delivers both with ease.

Slightly off topic: During my time as an "employee" I used many different accounts packages, and what scares me more than anything, is that many of them allow amendments to entries after they have been "closed off". Its all well and good having a package that is easy to use. But seriously folks, knowing which button to press can be secondary to knowing what happens to your GL when you do hit the button. And if you are scratching your ahead wondering what GL is, then I am further terrorfied.

Also IMHO, MYOB is not that difficult to use, or set up for that matter. I don't expect every business owner to have a degree in accounting, but would it kill people to do a small business course so they understand how accounting impacts their day-to-day operations? Too many businesses are fixated on "do you know how to use the package" rather than "do you have practical knowledge of bookkeeping/accounting".

OK getting off my soapbox now.....

[kylieshort]

I use both MYOB and QuickBooks. Have had a poke around Xero too but not used it regularly. I've been using MYOB since version 6 and if what they told us at the MYOB Partner connect is anything to go by, MYOB is undergoing a major under the bonnet change which will make it more user friendly. If I had to choose I would choose QB. I like the look of Xero but it doesn't come with payroll or inventory. I know they have partnerships going on with other cloud packages but it just seems like a lot more work to me!

[Chris Bates]

MYOB isn't difficult to use, it's just time wasting. The UI is what lets the program down, and it's even worse on a Mac. When you take the time to explore the alternatives, you begin to realise not just how easier Xero (& Sassu) is, but how much TIME you can save too!

I've not done the books in a while, but last night I did - 41 unreconciled transactions that it's pulled from my bank feed. Took me <5 minutes to enter/reconcile them all with hardly typing a thing.

Despite all that, I still have bookkeeping One day Darren, one day - haha

[Dardee]

Lots of interesting posts. As I've seen in my work people choose accounting packages for a variety of reasons. Sometimes those reasons may not be the right ones.

Lucky I have had lots of experience in Xero, MYOB and Quickbooks. Xero is my clear winner.

[Burgo]

I still use the system I was taught 52 years ago.

Simple cash book.

With few entries now it takes me about an hour every twelve months to write it up balance it and write a financial statement for my accountant.

How I wish I was still in business , with 10 people working with me and turning over megabucks again.

There would be no hesitation in getting involved with this Xero, Darren talks about.

He showed me briefly what it was capable of and when I got my head around what he was saying.........just gotta haveit......damn retired, but Holy Moses, if you want something to keep your finances on track this system appears to be so simple even I could operate it.

[Tim Gosper]

MYOB for the win! I'm lazy, we work everything off the bank statements, I make a complete mess of it all and then give it to my mate 'the accountant' while force feeding him beer so he feels bad if he invoices too much!

I've used Quicken and MYOB - I have found that once you actually learn the right way of doing things and pay bookkeeping the respect it deserves.... It still ends up cheaper and easier to get someone else to do it