Sage and sole trader?

[JMugs]

Currently use a free accounts package and have done for years. Accountant says use Sage every year.
Any sole traders on here already using sage?

Views?
Verdicts?
Cost?

Their site doesn't make knowing how much it is easy!!

Regards
Janners.

[Angloman]

"complicated ", no user friendly at all and the bad point is
1, if you create an invoice and print it out saying cash and don't want to ender or post to the account after being paid , you can delete the invoice and then use that number again to create a new invoice for something else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the tax man can insert a usb stick and pull up any deleted items or invoices as you declare to the government that you are using sage to do your accounts


I use Quick books for £9 month, brill, so easy, invoice in a breath, even takes record of miles and post fuel allowance as I go, end of year flip a tap for s60 form , enter amount in each box and send your accounts , all done brill

that's my opinion anyway knowing I only paid £152 tax on my earnings !!!!

Currently use a free accounts package and have done for years. Accountant says use Sage every year.
Any sole traders on here already using sage?

Views?
Verdicts?
Cost?

Their site doesn't make knowing how much it is easy!!

Regards
Janners.

[pisquee]

We use SageOne - although they have just renamed it and I can't remember what to. Is about £10 a month (but we get it free as part of our Sage subscription for taking card payments)
We also have the additional payroll option bolt on for it.
Works well, but we had an accountant set it up for us, and have an in-house accountant who uses it.

[Customprintwales]

I use Sage Instant which cost about £100 three years ago and does everything I need.

You need to have a little understanding of bookkeeping but it's pretty powerful and can also keep track of inventory. It's probably a little overkill for me as I don't run sales ledgers or purchase ledgers - tend to take money on sale and pay when I order.

But I bought it because I needed a version of Sage for my bookkeeping course and been more than happy with it.

[pw66]

I'm way to old/old school for integrated packages.
My accountant provides me with a word spreadsheet to fill in. One for expenses, one for revenue.
Most of my customers are face to face, so invoicing is usually hand written or on paypal here. If I was trading online and posting lots then I would take a more integrated approach.

Years ago my accountant told me the simpler the system the better, and not to use any system that was more complex than strictly necessary.

[logobear]

i used sage and disliked its complexity. its really for accountants.
Xero on the other hand is a piece of piss.
integrates with VEND & reciept bank easy, almost does it for you. invoices super easy with 'pay now' button in both email and pdf
imho

[wilde-one]

Another thumbs up for Xero - relatively easy to set-up and to find answers to any queries you have as you work throughout the year and overcome any issues that may pop up. You can add on Payroll if required and I believe they now have some form of stock control available but not 100% sure.

[mrs maggot]

I use quikfile, does what i need it to do, and seems to get it done to the approval of the tax man, they also offer to submit your accounts for an extra fee, which i have never done.

[JMugs]

I have opted to stay with VT which I have used for years. It's free and simple.