subject: Accounting Software Advice [print this page] Now for another question from one of my regular readers:
I am a keen reader of your Herald Express column and have downloaded some useful free software as a result. I was wondering if you know of any free downloads of Home Accounting software so I can manage simple income & expenditure, ability to categorise entries & bank reconciliation? Nothing too sophisticated.
John Green, via e-mail
In all honesty I am unsure where to begin; despite the fact I am self employed I have never come across accounting software that hasn't sent me running to the hills when I got down to using it. I personally get along rather well by simply using sales statistics generated without human intervention by our website, with the help of a stack of paperwork detailing our expenses and the collective date in then transferred to a Excel spreadsheet. Whilst this is by no stretch of the imagination the most organised system but then by using a few simple formula I have the information I need.
The issue I have had in finding a appropriate software for John has been compounded by the fact that such software seems to polarise users easily; the same piece of software will typically receive an equal amount of 5 star reviews as it does 1 star ones. I can only think the reason for this is that accounting software has such a sharp learning curve that for each user (like me) who gives up after two minutes, there is another that perseveres and finds the software quite competent once they have got to grips with it.
After a good look around I settled on Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2008. This decision pains because although it is free, this application is a huge 250mb download and this in my eyes is excessive for any application, let along one designed for simple bookkeeping.
This decision is based on the fact that unlike the majority of accounts applications which have a habit of looking foreign, this package is similar to Office in appearance to substantially soften the steep learning curve.
There is a more comprehensive paid for version of the software available however the Express package covers most imaginable needs of a home user or small business owner. You can create invoices and quotes, generate sales and returns, input bills and charges as well along with more modern features such as eBay and Paypal integration. Those that are VAT registered can generate their VAT returns through the application and those with employees can take care of the Payroll. You are also able to import your existing financial data from other applications such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Money or Quickbooks along with importing and reconciling online bank statements.
To get started simply visit www.msofficeaccounting.co.uk and click the 'download free express' link and you will automatically be redirected to the download site designed for the UK version of this software complete with pound signs and UK taxation systems. It's very rare that Microsoft release anything for free that could be considered fully featured and although this application does have its faults I am confident that providing you can stomach the large download then you won't be disappointed.
