Accounting Software / Contract Management

docwalker

After getting nailed by the Taxman last year, I decided its time to get the finances under control. I started looking at the accounting packages for the mac and Quickbooks has a really crappy rating on the Apple Store Site. Quicken does not fair any better for personal finance.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a small business accounting app? Something that runs on the Mac and can handle invoicing. Something that can handle personal as well as business would be nice.

While I am asking, I would also like to find a contract writing package. Something the I can enter my own clauses and variations and generate contracts quickly. I am getting tired of doing it in Word. I used to have a PC package that did it but they have gone out of business anyway.

--Doc

ChatKat

QuickBooks
I am a QuickBooks Certified Consultant since they began the program and been using the program since 1992.

The reason people give it a bad rating is because they don't understand accounting and they try to do it themselves initially. When they take a class they learn way more than they will ever use and it overwhelms them. Kinda like Photoshop!

Almost every client (into the 100's of them) that I have taught to use the program or Quicken, slaps their forehead because you need babysteps if you aren't an accountant.

I suggest finding a QuickBooks Advisor in your area and have them help you set up and spend a few hours teaching it to you. You won't feel that way.

It's a great program. The other MAC Program that is just as difficult is MYOB.

docwalker

ChatKat wrote:

The reason people give it a bad rating is because they don't understand accounting and they try to do it themselves initially. When they take a class they learn way more than they will ever use and it overwhelms them. Kinda like Photoshop!

I got the impression from most of the reviews that these were former Windows version users that were dissatisfied with the Mac Implementation. I have a pretty good grasp of accounting practices and I have used the PC versions successfully in the past. Similar to other ports of PC applications to Mac, I am concerned about the application itself.

I even took a look at the Quickbooks online but they do not support Mac or Firefox at this time. Its Windows with IE only. I have a VMWare install but rather not deal with it for my day to day personal work. I dread even firing that thing up for my help desk shifts :deadhorse

Angelo

Dude, shoulda bought a Dell!!!


roflrofl



Sorry, couldn't resist. I use quickbooks and it's GREAT!!! and I agree with Kat on all points.

docwalker

A Dell? No Way in ... Sorry.

So, lets get over the accounting practices stuff. Any others or is Quickbooks and MYOB the only 2 viable options. I am not talking about a major operation here. Just something to keep track of a few dozen transactions a month, and automation for invoicing, receipts, etc. I need something to hand over to the accountant for tax season.

Sure, I can do it in Excel But I like automation :-) I also want it bacause the business is growing. I would rather start out now while things are small and build with the business.

I have used Peachtree but it is out for no Mac support either.

MYOB looks interesting as it has business templates. Does anyonne know if photography/video is in that list?

chuckinsocal

Hey Doc,

Check out the fotoQuote site. I seem to recall that they had software specifically for photographers including billing, accounting, contracts, etc.

ChatKat

Old Info

docwalker wrote:

I got the impression from most of the reviews that these were former Windows version users that were dissatisfied with the Mac Implementation.

Ah - that explains it then. The versions starting with 2007 Mac were made more PC like in their use and interface. You can barely tell the difference now. You can even save the Mac file for the PC as a full backup to transition to PC for your CPA. The old versions were very different for Mac and PC but not now.

The good thing about QuickBooks is that you can almost always find help!

digismile

Do you have an accountant? Many of the accountants here that are in public practice use a variety accounting software solutions. Quickbooks is very common for small business. Having your books setup by your accountant can save a lot of time, money, and frustration at yearend. They can often make entries directly to your electronic data (adjusting entries, reclassification entries, etc.). You are paying someone to go through a big box of paper receipts, etc.

I have used Quickbooks from the beginning (PC version) and have never found any better bang for the buck. But no matter how slick and easy a software vendor tries to make it, it still won't make you an accountant. I whole heartedly agree that training is the way to go. It provides you with the solid foundation to prepare your financial information. Then see your accountant.


Just my 2 cents

docwalker

I appreciate the advice. But, I am looking for some focus. I don't need advice on the training. As I said, I am more than familiar with accounting practices. I would like input on the software. What works what does not. I find that forums give more honest advice than review sites and I need something that works well for photographers. I am not running a retail business.

We are talking about simple ins and outs. Yes I have an accountant but he only takes care of the end of the year stuff. I am doing this for myself (knowledge, tracking) and to be able to give him a print off at the end of the year. Sure, I can ask him and he will say Quickbooks. But just like Windows, just because it is most common does not mean much to me. My accountant has little knowledge of the photography business operations. Fotobiz looks interesting but I see no demos and the screens look very jumbled from a UI standpoint. That makes me leary.

My current situation is pretty simple. No payroll, or other complex stuff is involved. Right now, it is me doing photo and video work. Most of my sales are through SmugMug and I get a W-2 for that.

I want to be able to track and generate quotes/estimates that I give out, generate invoices for work done, payments received, pay outs, and other day to day stuff.

ChatKat

Too Bad
Too bad you are far away because this is what I have done for many years - since 1991 - set up and train small businesses on how to set up their books and good business and tax practices.

As a matter of fact, I will be teaching a Super Monday Class for PPA members in Octiber at my studio. Which is next door to my bookkeeping and accounting practice. My husband is a CPA but I am not and working for a couple hours on getting set up and training is my favorite work (except for photography!)

urbanaries

ChatKat wrote:

Too bad you are far away because this is what I have done for many years - since 1991 - set up and train small businesses on how to set up their books and good business and tax practices.

As a matter of fact, I will be teaching a Super Monday Class for PPA members in Octiber at my studio. Which is next door to my bookkeeping and accounting practice. My husband is a CPA but I am not and working for a couple hours on getting set up and training is my favorite work (except for photography!)

Short of flying us out to you for this awesome class you're teaching...

GREAT thread here! I am also a bit overwhelmed. I could pay an accountant to do everything, but I'd rather learn keep on top of it myself on a daily/weekly basis and then use CPA for end of year and quarterly consulting. Could you recommend resources we could look for locally for trainers/educators for small business owners? I had no idea folks like that existed who would be willing to teach me how rather than just bill me for doing it all themselves.

DavidTO

DW,

I've heard the same thing many times about both Quicken and Quickbooks.

I use Quicken because I have for years and it's too much of a PITA to change. The other apps that I know of have the advantage of being simpler, not as many features (Quicken has way too many, IMO), but that doesn't help you, since that means they're not robust enough for your needs.

What I've heard is that Quicken is due with a hugely major upgrade. Bringing it into the world of native Intel processing and more in line with the Windows version. Such a shame, since Quicken was born on the Mac, now they've let it go like a weedy backlot.

My understanding is that Quickbooks is behind Quicken on the update front, so most likely there won't be any love for it for a couple of years, as far as I can guess.

All I can offer is that I don't know of another bookkeeping app as business ready as Quickbooks, although it may be out there. But I will say, that it's the kind of thing where you may have to just ignore the reviews and bite the bullet. It's better than nothing.

dwayne_bradley

fotoBiz software
Here is the site that chuckinsocal was talking about:

http://www.cradocfotosoftware.com/fotoBiz/index.html

chuckinsocal wrote:

Hey Doc,

Check out the fotoQuote site. I seem to recall that they had software specifically for photographers including billing, accounting, contracts, etc.

ChatKat

Nope

dwayne_bradley wrote:

Here is the site that chuckinsocal was talking about:

http://www.cradocfotosoftware.com/fotoBiz/index.html

I wnet through their site and I found billing and keywording or quoting - but no payables, checkwriting or online banking, liabilities or fixed asset management in Photbiz. It does sound like it has some interesting features in it.