Hiya 'heads, I'm not a bookeeper and have no interest in that part of the business. So, I'll be doing the sales, quoting, production and ordering while she handles the rest. Since she has no interest in signs and knows very little about the industry, we're looking for the ideal small business software that will be easy for both of us to use and do it all - quoting, invoicing, job tracking, inventory, etc. It has to be able to manage multiple clients and vendors with multiple contacts for each company. I'm familiar with Estimate, but it has it's limitations. I looked at and am somewhat familiar with Quick Books, but there are too many choices now - simple start, online, pro, premiere, contractors and finally, manufacturers and wholesalers. We know there's others out there, but I've had no exposure to them. Since we're starting fresh, just about anything goes. Finally, how did you find your accountant? Our current accountant is ok. But he seems to be heading towards retirement and doesn't really seem interested in growing our business. Any tips or suggestions you can make in finding a good accountant would be greatly appreciated too.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I'm happy with Quickbooks Pro. I don't track inventory with it though.
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
I'm fairly happy with Quickbooks Pro, but I hate all the extras! By that I mean, "Oh, you want to do State Employee tax? We charge extra for that?" I think all that stuff should be included to make your program run smoothly and you shouldn't have to pay extra. IF you need help, to install it or figure something out, they charge big $ to "help you". OR you can sign up for their monthly charge (insurance) in case you have any problems. I'm already paying for the program, why should I have to pay for every little "extra" thing that should be in there to begin with! IMHO
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on :
I've been using Quickbooks for more than ten years and it does a pretty good job. My accountant hates it though.
We use an Excel spreadsheet that I wrote years ago to do our estimating, and although it does a very good job, it's hard for new people to learn and use.
If I was starting over, I think I'd use a simple estimating/shop management system like Estimate. All the sign people would use this to keep track of estimates and orders.
They would then submit simple accounting entries (ie: debit:sales $XX) to the bookeeper to enter into the accounting system, be it Quickbooks or Peachtree (my accountant's choice).
The reason is what you stated in your post; you know signs, the bookeeper knows accounting.
Using Quickbooks for customer and shop management works great if you're very, very careful.
If you're not, you'll spend a lot of time or money figuring out what went wrong.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Quick Books Pro / Estimate. Great combo
Posted by Dale Kerr (Member # 4661) on :
I am with Rick, I use QB Pro and Estimate sign estimating software. You are lucky as in the US you can itergrate them together for invoicing, in Canada that is not possible, but I am still very satisfied with the combo.
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Checkers, ask around for a referral to an accountant. Ask everyone you know, then set up an appointment to talk with the accountants. You need to be comfortable with someone and confident that they know what they're doing. Consider it an interview. Once you've found someone you like, ask what their suggestions are. Most accountants prefer a certain software & will even help you set it up, at the end of the year, you hand them a cd. This will save you money over time. The better set up it is at the beginning, the less clean up they have to do at year end.
Posted by Jason Davie (Member # 2172) on :
Quickbooks Pro / Estimate werks for me also
Jason D
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
I'm of the same consensus here QuickBooks Enterprise and Estimate.
And as for Janes Question. They are following suite of the Singmaking software Companys. Ohh you want to print from the sign software You need an Update $500.. Ohh Sorry that never worked right and that Software is 3 mos old and we don't support it anymore so you need an $900 upgrade. If I didn't have 10 years worth of Client Files I would Dump it. (RANT RANT . )
Posted by Mark M. Kottwitz (Member # 1764) on :
I am using Microsoft Money 2003 Business Edition.
It works great for my needs, and I paid a fraction of the price at Staples when I bought it...
It does everything I need it to do...
Posted by Al Checca (Member # 2216) on :
Quickbooks for us also...
Posted by Chris Lovelady (Member # 2540) on :
we have been using Quickbooks pro and Estimate. for many years, but are looking at this program.
the cost is expensive (4000$+) but very detailed. We have found with the slider bars in estimate, that my wife and I can both do the same estimate and get different cost.
It has so many features and even helps with marketing. It is a program to grow with. I have to greatest respect and like the estimate software. but with our company with multiple estimaters and multiple locations in our business there needs to be more consistancy. It also works under a remote access
chris
Posted by Johnathon Bakan (Member # 2669) on :
Chris,
Thanks for your comments and it has been good having you as a long time customer. I never realized however that consistency has been a problem as I don't remember it coming up in our past conversations.
Consistency is easily achieved with EstiMate and information is available at:
In addition, I can send you a "visual pricing key" upon request that will give an example of how to set standards for how the general difficulty level is set.
I'm glad that your business has expanded, and I hope EstiMate played a part in that. Congratulations!
It is true that EstiMate is oriented to the smaller to mid-level shops and may not always meet some requirements of larger operations.
That said development is feverishly working on a major update that will likely address many of these concerns including multiple locations.
If you want to outline features you would like to see or request the "visual pricing key" mentioned above, feel free to email me here:
Johnathon
Posted by Carl Wood (Member # 1223) on :
Checkers - I use "Invoice & Estimate Pro" from Nova - it does all the things you mentioned & price is right - about 50 bucks from office Max. Very user friendly.
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