Excel vs Sage Line 50

David,

It really depends on:

1. How big and complex your business is
2. How comfortable you are using excel and
3. If you want to spend the time learning how to use an accounting package properly. (A poorly run accounting package is much worse than poor excel records to sort out)

There is no "one size fits all" answer

SAGE is probably less user-friendly to non accountants than QuickBooks or MYOB, although all are very similar packages.

For a micro business, or a small service business a well thought out excel solution may well be easier and more flexible than using SAGE. On the other hand if you deal with stock and VAT, a proper accounting package will probably be the way to go.

I have some free excel templates available if you would like some help. I also don’t mind taking a short call to help you off in the right direction.

Regards,

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James Smith
Chartered Accountant
www.jamesesmith.co.uk
01235 536 773

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Your indispensable guide to Small Business Bookkeeping, Self-Assessment & VAT

Hi there

I would agree with James that the decision depends on the size of your business whether you buy specialist accounting software or use Excel.

It is difficult to 'compare' the two, as they are very different. It also depends what you want to do and how far you want to go.

In my bookkeeping business, I use both.

You may feel that you wish to start with Excel and invest in accounting software later on. Have a look at James' spreadsheets and see what you think.

Sage offers various accounting software options, which will integrate your stock, invoicing, sales & purchase order processing etc., as well as producing your VAT Return for you, and many management reports. Really depends on how much detail you want/need to go into.

Basically, to sum up, it depends on what your requirements are. If you have an accountant, it may well be worth asking their advice too.

As a member of the Sage Accountants Club, I can offer you Sage software at discounted rates, so if you do decide to go in that direction, please feel free to e-mail
fjaccountancyservices2002@yahoo.co.uk. with any questions.

Cheers
Fran
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Hi
I personnally think Sage Line 50 is not user friendly (at least for somebody who hasn't got an accounting back ground). If it's your case, then I would rather recommend Quickbooks (from Intuit).

Alternatively, if you prefer to use Excel, then remember that you have some free alternatives such as openoffice or easyoffice which are opensource softwares!... I hope this will save you a few pounds!