computer help: Four Questions about Computerised accounting packages? - Help.com

a couple of questions - first, what country are you from?

and second, are you intersted in computerised bookkeeping, or computerised accountancy? (yes, there is a difference)

basicly, bookeeping is keeping records of all the transactions, who i’ve brought what from and when, balance of bank, etc etc

accountancy is the final stage, ETB’s, final sets of accounts etc

post, and i’ll try to answer (but i’m from UK, so my knowedge of overseas packages is a tad limited…

ok - for the details, you’ll have to dust of google (have limited time), but there aremany packages, and many i don’t know!

so.. the most common are

Sage Accounts (not the line 50 series, thats bookeeping)

CCH (wolters Klewer) - they up upgrading there entire system now they’ve taken over MYOB, so in a year they should have a good system togther - their current system leaves a bit to be desired in places, but on the whole, isn’t too bad :)

MYOB - because they are being taken over, ignore them for now

Viztopia (solutions 6) i used this, i hated it :P

IRIS - apparently very good, although i’ve never used it

those are the most common that i’ve come across…

now, the what it is, is a system that you can put a entire trial balance into, and it will produce a full set of accounts - depending on the software, some will also calculate tax figurework too…

the accounts should be in the required format for submission to companies house (for the most part, minimal mods need to be done!) and tax return software now should be able to file online (since its the law here in the uk)

as said, this is UK based, so don’t quote me over with you bunch of convicts :PP

Realistlcly, they cost quite a lot, so are only probably worth it if you are going into business, and you should have accountancy training if you are trying that stunt - otherwise something like sage bookeeping, that will produce a full tb is where you want to look

hope this helps!