Does anyone use quickbooks to manage their photo biz?

gotfocus?

I just received a copy of QB Pro2010 as a gift.

Does anyone else use this program? If so, do you use it as product based or service based.

Admittedly, the box hasn't been open for more than 30 minutes but my head is already spinning.

ChatKat

QuickBooks Professional Advisor
I am a Certified QuickBooks Advisor. And I teach photographers how to use the QuickBooks to manage their photography business. It's a perfect tool to do that.

I customize the setup - the out of the box solution is basic. Service Based/Product Based - a photographer's business is both!

Snowgirl

ChatKat wrote:

I am a Certified QuickBooks Advisor. And I teach photographers how to use the QuickBooks to manage their photography business. It's a perfect tool to do that.

I customize the setup - the out of the box solution is basic. Service Based/Product Based - a photographer's business is both!

When I used a PC I had Quick Books and I learned to use at least the basic functions (although I'm not sure my accountant would concur). Now that I'm MAC - I can't get a Canadian version of QB so I had to switch to MoneyWorks. It seems to be fine - so far - but then again, my accountant has weighed in on that yet.

I called QB to inquire about a Canadian MAC version and the CSR literally laughed at me - so BOO QuickBooks. His smarta** response was that they didn't sell enough "up there" to make it worth developing that version. Perhaps its a chicken and egg question?

ChatKat

Qb
I don't see why the MAC version for the US would not work in Canada. A US Dollar would work just fine and the sales tax could be used for your GST. The Tax lines are almost always ignored anyway.

Snowgirl

ChatKat wrote:

I don't see why the MAC version for the US would not work in Canada. A US Dollar would work just fine and the sales tax could be used for your GST. The Tax lines are almost always ignored anyway.

True. But for the automatic tax links it probably wouldn't work because our income tax set-up is different from yours (e.g. reports for income tax purposes etc.).

I do miss having the invoicing built right in though.

ChatKat

I don't know any accountants that use that function when the clients prepare the books.

Snowgirl

ChatKat wrote:

I don't know any accountants that use that function when the clients prepare the books.

Never thought of that (accounting and bookkeeping NOT being my strengths - did I mention that I failed Accounting 101 in college? Couldn't sort out the debits and credits - so I definitely NEED an idiot proof accounting package). I'll ask my guy what he thinks.

And speaking of that, if I have QB on my MAC (whatever version) and my accountant is PC - is file transfer an issue?

ChatKat

Since QB 2007 you can transfer the files and make a PC readable backup. In 2010 you can transfer back and forth between PC and MAC but it's not meant for daily use.

Snowgirl

ChatKat wrote:

Since QB 2007 you can transfer the files and make a PC readable backup. In 2010 you can transfer back and forth between PC and MAC but it's not meant for daily use.

Thanks You've been a huge help! And I imagine my accountant will thank you. He's not impressed with me having some other type of software.

CelsoDiniz

Which version of Quickbooks to buy ?

ChatKat wrote: »

I am a Certified QuickBooks Advisor. And I teach photographers how to use the QuickBooks to manage their photography business. It's a perfect tool to do that.

Hi, there are so many versions of Quickbook out there. Which one should I buy ? THANKS FOR THE HELP ! :-)

ChatKat

CelsoDiniz wrote: »

ChatKat wrote: »

I am a Certified QuickBooks Advisor. And I teach photographers how to use the QuickBooks to manage their photography business. It's a perfect tool to do that.

Hi, there are so many versions of Quickbook out there. Which one should I buy ? THANKS FOR THE HELP ! :-)

Version 2012 Pro or Premier for PC - Pro if you are very new and want more simplified accounting and Premier if you want detailed job costing and inventory.

Version 2012 for Mac

ssimmonsphoto

gotfocus? wrote: »

I just received a copy of QB Pro2010 as a gift.

Does anyone else use this program? If so, do you use it as product based or service based.

Admittedly, the box hasn't been open for more than 30 minutes but my head is already spinning.

I just started using Quickbooks Pro after changing to a much more reputable, knowledgable CPA who works with a lot of other photographers. I use it in addition to ShootQ, so it means slightly more work and remembering to enter the transactions in to two places, but it is really going to simplify my taxes for next year. It is a beefy program and there is a lot to learn, however I think it will be time well spent in the long run for my business.

TBradley

From my own personal experience, QuickBooks lacks in several aspects. Although great for tax purposes, I feel that a more tailored solution for photographers would work better then the generic QuickBooks. Now, I use a different system for forecasting and day to day operations and import that data into QuickBooks about once a month.

ChatKat

Yes
Really, most of the time when I hear that from people it's because they don't have it set up right. We have an accounting saying "Garbage In - Garbage Out" and if it's set up right you can get cash flow detail, custom reporting and even order tracking.

TBradley

True, but it's all tied down to only one computer, which isn't great for when I'm on location shooting a wedding. It's more of a generic one size fits all type setup, which isn't bad if that's how you like it, it just doesn't fit my workflow.

ChatKat

Aha - see that you have something else to pimp.