QuickBooks or sage?

[imjnite]

So I know this has been asked before and from reading those threads I am leaning towards QuickBooks.
I am a small retail store, pet store to be exact, and have been doing all my books in a ledger for 8 years. This year I will be hiring, so that is my main reason for getting software. I will likely only be hiring one person, possibly two. I do bring a few things in from the states, and my accountant did suggest sage. But from what I've been reading QuickBooks is way easier to learn, so from what I've told you what would you suggest? Thanks in advance.

[PianoGuy]

my accountant did suggest sage

If you can write a cheque, you can operate Sage 50. I'd suggest you buy what your accountant recommends, and here's why:

Let's say a customer comes in to your store, and asks whether they should buy Purina or Iams dog food. So you evaluate their pet and explain the differences between the two products, and explain why, based on your 8 years of experience working with those products every day, you think they should buy Purina. Then they buy Iams.

Case in point from my industry: some time ago, someone asked me if they should buy a computer with Windows Vista on it. I said no, either get one now with XP, or wait a few months and get Windows 7. So he bought the computer with Vista.

Three weeks later: "This doesn't run worth crap!" I knew the individual's usage patterns and was quite sure he wouldn't like Vista. I was right.

I believe there is a trial available for both products, so you can take them for a test drive and see with one you like better. If there are some specific nuances in Quickbooks that make it significantly better for your specific use, go for it.

.

[Nssan]

I worked for Sage product dept for many years, if you want your accountant to look over your file or audit or do closing at year end then it's best to get the software he/she is familiar with and ABLE to open on his/her computer. Doesn't make sense

[MrsPotato]

Have a good look at wave. It's free and does everything qb does, but with an online Interface.

I run a successful business using it, and never thought I'd survive without quick books! But this one is great ..

[NEMESIS_2008]

I use quickbooks but i may be leaning towards switching to sage once my year end ends in June 2013. Sage has been more and more appealing to me ever since my accountant gave me a quick intro to it.

[putinwork2012]

What do you guys use to track sales? At the moment I just use an excel spreadsheet.

I do have quickbooks but don't have the time to learn how to "use" it efficiently.

[Homerhomer]

Many accountants have copies of both quickbooks and sage/simply, check with your accountant if they have both, if yes you can buy package you prefer, if not I suggest what your accountant have access to. I prefer quickbooks over sage hands down.

Putin, to enter sales into quickbooks from the customers menu go to create invoice, enter information (need to have items set up). That's the end of the learning curve as far as tracking sales in concerned.
If you don't have time to learn the bookkeeping systems hire a bookkeeper, that's what they are for, to provide services for business who would rather spend time selling or doing more important stuff, and for poeple who don't know or feel like doing it themselves.

[NEMESIS_2008]

What do you guys use to track sales? At the moment I just use an excel spreadsheet.

I do have quickbooks but don't have the time to learn how to "use" it efficiently.

start off with using wave and then learn QB or Sage. Wave is free and provided me with the foundation of learning how to use accounting software before migrating to QB. You may even be fine with Wave if your company does not have complex entries.

[imjnite]

Thanks for the input, I will talk to my accountant again and then decide. Thanks again!

[gbmorgan]

imjnite,
Geoff here on the QuickBooks team. You've received some great advice in this thread: check with your accountant to see if she or he has a preference, as it'll make your life easier.
I'd obviously advocate for QuickBooks or QuickBooks Online, depending on your requirements. If you want to talk through what's best for your business, feel free to give us a call - we're happy to chat!

[chibiks]

no body mentions GNU Cash? Is it a different class of software?

[nutsackninja]

quickbooks online is awesome. I would highly recommend it. It pulls transactions right from your bank account / credit cards you can easily assign them to the correct GL. The best part is that it is 100% online which means I can do my accounting anywhere I have an internet connection without having to worry about pulling the data around. No need to worry about backups and you can give your accountant their own online account so they can check to see if you are doing it correctly. It is a very slick piece of software.

[jonabyte]

What do you guys use to track sales? At the moment I just use an excel spreadsheet.

I do have quickbooks but don't have the time to learn how to "use" it efficiently.

Are you entering invoices in, you can use the reports to generate income reports.

[jonabyte]

I'll put my $0.02, I have been in accounting for over 15 years and I still prefer to use and recommend Quickbooks. The reason is mainly due to the reports that QB can generate. It is very easy to modify reports in QB, not so much with Sage/simply.

I also find it easier to use for those without accounting experience to use.

[pmgroo1]

sage is easier