[titoav15]

Just thinking about starting bookkeeping services and possibly have 2 clients. Was wondering what would be the best software (and economical) to use? I will be doing payroll and adding expenses and and revenues. Please keep in mind that these are small businesses. As always you guys are amazing with your suggestions! 🙂 Last things, I have a mac…

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REG: TBD

[jenpen]

I would recommend QuickBooks. That is what we use at the small firm I work at. I find it to be fairly user-friendly and easy to keep track of all of that stuff. And you can do payroll directly in it, even direct deposit. Not sure how much it costs or if there are other cost-efficient options. This is just the one I have experience with for small businesses.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

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[MaLoTu]

Quickbooks is very popular. As a Pro Adviser, I can attest to the customer service they provide. I went to a training at Intuit's campus and they pampered us like crazy! We got free breakfast, free lunch, a tote bag full of stuff (including a portable cell phone charger), and $30 Amazon gift card. The event was free. They treat their pro advisers very well.

You might also want to look into Xero.

[mastump317]

If you choose to lease Quickbook through their proadvisors program.instead of purchase, the lease will run around $54 per month. I am leasing but haven't taken the time to look into the details about what they offer. Software will never get old: I think you also have a choice of which one to use, one of them being Quickbooks for Mac.

[Skynet]

I say go Old School and use the “Shoe Box with Receipts and Handwritten Spreadsheet method.” Cost is about $2.

[jeff]

I had a trucking client who brought in a year's worth of greasy receipts and 11 bank statements each March or so.

Seemed to work for them 🙂

[Skynet]

I did a return for a client who was a Trucker two years ago. He brought a large envelope full of receipts. It was pretty organized though. He organized and separated the receipts for each trip he took.

[Missy]

I think you should stick with QuickBooks. It's reasonably priced and you will get great support from intuit. Most small business will want their bookkeeper on QuickBooks anyway. It's rare anyone will give a bookkeeper carte Blanche to choose their own software so make sure to ask your clients if they have a preferred software.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[titoav15]

Awesome Quickbooks it is! 🙂 Does anyone use the online version? Or is it best to buy Mac desktop version??

BEC: 5/21/14 82! PASSED HALF WAY THERE!
FAR: 4/2/15 80! Almost there!
AUD: 69, 74, 4/3/14 81! PASSED
REG: TBD

[Tncincy]

I agree with quickbooks. Looking into becoming a quickbook advisor.

I've also heard that sage is good (no experience though). My problem with mac book is that there is no 10 key pad. I need the 10 key.

It begins with a 75
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[Tncincy]

@skynet.. Oh, don't start with the shoe boxes. I still have clients bringing receipts like I know where in the world they belong. I do charge extra for shoe boxes and extra consultation time. Unfortunately, they don't care. One client didn't use the shoe box this time, but folders. It helped to be organized but didn't lower the price much. Quickbooks, Please…..I beg of you….

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Missy]

tncincy if you want to start your own bookkeeping./consulting business being a quickbooks proadvisor is worthwhile, if for nothing else but being listed on their website.

If you intend to have an employer, its a huge waste. I was a proadvisor for years but never pursued being a consultant or a freelance bookkeeper. Yes, my employer thought it was nice on my resume, but cared more that I am a CPA.

2 years x $54/mo was just shy of $1300 invested for my employer to say “oh you're a proadvisor, thats nice”.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[titoav15]

I do have a 10key on my mac 🙂 I am just a bit lost between all the online versions that they offer… will be doing payroll for 7 at each place. Do i need the simple start, essentials, or the plus? The number of users that will be accessing the file does not matter, 1 or 2 users is fine so the fact that the MAC version will only have one authorized user is fine. My question is what would b ehe best version for me?

BEC: 5/21/14 82! PASSED HALF WAY THERE!
FAR: 4/2/15 80! Almost there!
AUD: 69, 74, 4/3/14 81! PASSED
REG: TBD

[msgolds]

I use Wave for my part-time tutoring and web design companies. It's free and very easy to use.

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REG - 84 PASSED

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[Tncincy]

@mia I currently have a bookkeeping & tax business. Lord knows I need this CPA so I won't need an employer. But I get what you're saying. As for the MAC, my friends have them, and the ones I have seen does not have a 10 key. I'll look into it as well.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Missy]

Tncincy worth it for you I'd say. Hint: proadvisor courses give CPE credits so you can kill 2 birds with one stone if you're licensed or do it after you are.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Author]

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