Best Bookkeeping Software?

HaydenTransform

We're still a very small business, and we are about to buy our first bookkeeping computer program. I hear great things and terrible things about Quickbooks, so does anyone here have any specific advice on which software is best for a small remodeling company, since many of you are using your programs for the same processes I am? Our needs are simple: payroll, expense tracking, tracking materials for specific projects, invoices, etc. Do you have an accounting program that you find easy to use and meets your needs?

ChainsawCharlie

I bought QB Pro 2007 contractor edition. Not sure if i really needed the contractor edition or not.

My previous experience with bookkeeping software or even book keeping for that matter was absolutely zero.

I have a small landscaping business, and I use the QB basic payroll service. ($99 year).

I only had to call my accountant friend once to figure something out. Everything else I needed to know I figured out myself with the books Complete Guide To QB Pro 2007 and a book on accounting.

If I had it to do all over again-I'd do it the exact same way.


I don't think I'm qualified to recommend to you what to use, but as a complete noob to bookkeeping and bookkeeping software, I like it.

qdslse

I own a painting/decorating/faux finishing/remodeling business and have used quickbooks for many years, wouldn't think of looking elsewhere.

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L. S. Ebert
www.artistictouches.net

Double-A

The trouble with software, especially in our business, is that we look for it to do things our way right out of the box.

You're only going to get out of it what you put in, and knowing what to put in, and how, is the real key to unlocking the power of any piece of software.

My advice? Quickbooks and a Quickbooks Pro Adviser with lots of remodeling construction experience. The money you pay up front for their expertise will be well spent.

They know what the software can do and how to make it do it. They know how to set things up to work your way. They also know when your way is not the simplest way. We have a couple of folks here that post regularly. Contact them and talk with them. There is nothing as satisfying as throwing an expert at the problem and watching them work.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

milancole

Another vote for quickbooks... and I would also recommend getting setup and some training by a local accountant who is familiar with construction businesses.

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Portland General Contractor | Portland Remodel | Portland Real Estate

Carport King

I have run several companies from 1-8 million and we use quick books.

The main thing and most important is to find an accountant that does contractor accounting. And mainly in your field of work.

You can hire one of his girls to set it up and then you can get the help you need when you need it.

Also always get more than a one man band accountant. Use a firm that has multiple accounting workers. Good Luck it is easier than you think.

rbsremodeling

Quick books here easy as pie

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riley40

I'm looking for a QB Pro Adviser in the northwest Chicago area. Any reco's would be appreciated.

Thanks

casey344

Email me your contact info: nicholls1@gmail.com.

casey344

Quickbooks hands down ... it is more than I think most people in this industry will need but will grow with your skill level. Easy to learn interface with pictures. With the help of our CPA there is no task I have ever not been able to run.

Computer and bookkeeping experience will definitely help you. Have your accountant take care of your end of quarter reporting and fix what you mess up prior to sending it into the government.

Sarah9910

Try on line, you don't need to be limited to your geographic area for consulting. Free Q & A sessions each month as well as clases and I have supported users on this site for about 3 years. I offer business consulting for contractors as well as training in software. Simple question, post here and you'll probably get a good answer, if you don't, I'll probably see it and correct it.

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Sarah Keiser, Business Consultant for Contractors
Success In-Formation LLC
Leading the Way in Software Education
www.successif.biz

asnider

I have seen many contractors totally happy with Quickbooks and I have seen others who are miserable. The bottom line is that it's an inexpensive way to keep your books. There are many construction specific accounting products out there that will make you a little (or a lot in some cases) happier, but you just have to weigh that against the extra cost involved. For the most part, Quickbooks will get it done, you just have to jump through a few extra hoops!

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Adam Snider
Opus Magnum Software - Creators of EZJOB
Construction Software Reviews & Articles

Sarah9910

Actually Anna Sheets is an "ask the expert" in the Intuit Forums and she is in the Chicago area. Google her company "Accounting Made Simple". she would be great for you.

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Sarah Keiser, Business Consultant for Contractors
Success In-Formation LLC
Leading the Way in Software Education
www.successif.biz

kirbymurphy

I used it a few years ago and quit because I was too lazy to learn and understand it. Any accounting takes discipline and some required work. (Like ACT customer management software. Works great if you understand it and really use it)

Like others suggested, spend the money to have your CPA advise set it up to be friendly for both you and "for them" too, if you intend to stay with them. At tax time they can generate reports in the fashion they need and not mess around converting, massaging, and separating accounts and line items. Years back I kept my books in Lotus123 and my attorney/tax guru said he loved the extra billable hours I created for him by using such a dumb system as I had "designed".

JAMESNVE

just purchased QB for Mac and it is pretty limited. I am also a freelance stylist and so have a need to track alot of expenses. With QB you have to translate that and it's clunky.
Worse, it only allows for one user or "company". My husband is also an independent contractor, so I was hoping to track things for both of us-not possible with QB.

Sunburst

Jamesnve
The Mac version is pretty limited. The Windows version is much more robust.

I'm not a Mac user, but do know that a lot of our clients create a windows environment on their Macs and then install the QuickBooks for Windows version and are pretty darn happy.

The Windows version will allow you to have more than one "company", but depending on your license, you may only be allowed to have the program installed on one computer, which means you can work in your file and your husband can work in his; but you can only have one company open at a time.

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Nancy Smyth, Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Visit our QuickBooks for Contractors blog daily tips

Jeff Knutson

If you're looking for a bookkeeping program, QuickBooks is the most popular. If you're looking for a construction job cost accounting program you might be a little dissappointed.

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Jeff Knutson

Randal DeHart

Hello Matt,
We have used a number of construction accounting software packages beginning in 1991 ranging in cost from $50 to over $50,000.
None of them are perfect; they all have strengths and weaknesses so it depends on what you want from the software.

Some contractors want to keep track of the balance in their bank account so all they need is QuickBooks Pro. This version of QuickBooks does some simple reports and other things you would need to keep track of your income and expenses

For remodel contractors like yourself you may want to consider QuickBooks For Contractors.

Please let me know if this helped

Warm Regards,

Randal

Brain Moore

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