Mac accounting options

[Stephen Blum]

Mountain Lion breaks pre-2012 versions of Quickbooks, and Intuit
doesn't offer any upgrade path other than to buy a full version of
QB2012. That's $184 via Intuit's website or a bit less on discount
sites.

I've been using QB to run my business since 1996, and it does what I
need it to do: track expenses and time, invoice directly from that,
manage subcontractors, produce financial statements and reports for
taxes and my own use. I'm reluctant to keep giving Intuit money,
though, because they have a poor record on supporting Mac software.
Among other things, they killed Quicken for the Mac (Quicken
Essentials is a sorry, cut down solution). I've already moved to iBank
for my personal finances.

I've looked at a couple of online solutions: Freshbooks and Zoho
Books. Anyone have any experience with those? Outright.com doesn't
really support invoicing or time tracking, so it's a non-starter for
me. I haven't started wading through the Mac applications that are
available -- anyone tried any of those?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

-- Steve

--
Steve Blum
Tellus Venture Associates
U.S. +1-831-582-0700
N.Z. +64-21-116-0002
stev...@tellusventure.com

[Todd Schafer]

Steve, 

I currently use Freshbooks to do all my reoccurring billing for my hosting company and it is working great so far!!

It is pretty easy to use! definitely happy with it so far but it has been just a few months. Just an FYI they charge $30 a month.

hope this helps,

Todd Schafer - Designer/Web Developer - 831.464.7848 | c: 345.5563
to...@schaferdesign.net - to...@GiveMeAPing.com - to...@webworxsantacruz.com
http://www.schaferdesign.net - http://www.GiveMeAPing.com - http://www.WebWorxSantaCruz.com

You can also find me socially here:
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[Paul Caloca]

Have a look at AccountEdge http://www.accountedge.com/mac/ It appears to do all that you need.

One issue to consider is the possibility of running Quickbooks for Windows in a virtual machine on your Mac. I use VMware Fusion's "Unity" feature to make applications integrate seamlessly when I must work with Microsoft Visio files. Works well for that ONE application that I need.

Stephen Blum

August 13, 2012 10:12 AM

[Jason Wehmhoener]

My brief foray into web-based quickbooks alternatives (which included looks at Frshbooks and Zoho books) was really disappointing.

It's been a while, so I can't remember all the reasons, but I just switched back to Quickbooks in the end. I'm going to stick with QB2011 for mac and Lion until Mountain Lion has a couple dot releases under its belt, then I'll upgrade both. It wasn't until 10.7.2 that Lion started to really stabilize, so I think I'll wait for 10.8.2 for Mountain Lion.

-Jason

[Alan Hawrylyshen]

On Aug 13, 2012, at 11:12 , Stephen Blum <stev...@tellusventure.com> wrote:

> I'm reluctant to keep giving Intuit money,
> though, because they have a poor record on supporting Mac software.
> Among other things, they killed Quicken for the Mac (Quicken
> Essentials is a sorry, cut down solution).

+1. I have given Intuit thousands of dollars since 1997 for accounting software and their ignorant hard-upgrade policies on both windows and Mac leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Coupled with the bugs and errors (they did not bother to test TurboTax 2011 for Mac on a case-sensitive file system and the 'official' workaround was to REFORMAT AND REINSTALL Mac OSX). Seriously guys? What kind of software shop is this? As a critical business service (accounting and taxation) I expect more from them. I don't have a good alternative solution - as I have also struggled with this. One would think that a SIMPLE terminal / curses based double entry accounting system could be implemented and kill intuit, but it remains out of reach.

This is complicated by the VERY POOR state of standardization in online banking data exchange (at the retail /consumer level)

They also made a recent change in their clients that I think is despicable and under-reported: namely if you want to sync online with your bank (and not download account files via your browser) you MUST share you web banking credentials with Intuit - not just at the edge of the network in the keychain, but SEND THEM to their sync service. That is insane. Why would I give Inuit's data center my online banking credentials. Makes me shutter given their track record. Caveat Emptor!

I continue to be a customer, but I would switch away in an instant. I've flirted with gnu cash several times, but haven't made the leap yet - as there was always something missing.

</rant>
Alan

--
a l a n a t p o l y p h a s e d o t c a

[Jason Wehmhoener]

I've actually contemplated starting a small business accounting software startup because this situation is so screwed up.

Trouble is that you'd end up in a file format arms race with Quickbooks, because a QB importer ends up being part of any accounting software MVP.

I guess I'm still contemplating it. Aside from dancing around quickbooks and the problems involved in online banking, it doesn't seem like a very difficult problem to solve (but then, why hasn't anyone really solved it yet?)

-Jason

[Rob Knight]

My experience: Intuit = poo.

Does anyone use Quickbooks **online**? Does it meet your needs? Does
it offer enough for the light QB user (just invoicing/bookkeeping).

Thanks,
R

[SharpSagen]

I've been using Quickbooks Online for several years now for all my client invoices.  Given that I'm only spending $11 per month...it's hard to criticize.  The reports are pretty basic unless you upgrade; however, for my needs, it works great.  

Melody Sharp

831-685-8318

http://www.melodysharp.com

http://www.facebook.com/MelodySharpWebDesign

http://www.meetup.com/santa-cruz-wordpress

[Chris Miller]

On Mon, Aug 13, 2012 at 10:40 AM, Jason Wehmhoener <jaso...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've actually contemplated starting a small business accounting software startup because this situation is so screwed up.

Yep, me too.

Chris 

[John Haskey]

Me three. I helped a small business wrestle with the DOS version of
Solomon for years. There has to be a better way. It's all simple math
right? What could be so difficult? Same with POS systems! :-)

---john.

[Shane Pearlman]

there is the super simple variant for small biz owners > https://indinero.com

basically mint but for small biz.

Shane Pearlman
831.345.7033
@justlikeair + gplus