Reviews (9)

A GREAT software for small businesses
I have worked with over a dozen accounting packages over the last 15 years, including beta testing such products as Open Systems, Great Plains, and Profit. I have used Peachtree versions 2 - 2002 for my own company and I have set up the program for innumerable clients over the years. Peachtree is the BEST program for smaller businesses - bar none. It has a terrific payroll module, good a/p and a/r, and the ability to evaluate your business standing right now, not next month when your CPA finishes the books.

The key to the program is to have the program set up by an expert and to have occasional maintenance on the system. After setup, my customers have me out about twice a year to perform updates, create permanent backups, fix minor problems, and answer questions.

Just because the software costs less than [$] (multi-user versions), doesn't mean that you can get by with only spending [$] for a class to become an expert. Look for someone to come in and tailor the program to your exact needs. This is a more expensive process, but considering that Peachtree's real competitors (NOT QuickBooks) start at thousands of dollars, you are still better off financially-- and you will have REAL financial information to boot.

Longtime User
I've been using computerized small business accounting systems since the early 1970's... After going into business for myself (in a field unrelated to computers) I was reduced to a manual system until I found an excellent DOS system for the PC - a system that went through several owners, eventually winding up as the ACCPAC system from Computer Associates. ACCPAC, was slow to move to Windows and so when I began to look for a Windows accounting system I had to look elsewhere....

I've looked at all the most popular "off the shelf" accounting software as well as a number of shareware programs. I'm convinced Peachtree Complete is superior, in almost every respect, to all the rest of them. I've used every version since the first (which curiously was Version 2.0). Some of the early versions were buggy but the last few versions haven't had serious problems...I'm currently using version 7 and have ordered Version 8.

Each succeeding version of Peachtree - which come about every two years - comes with a little more integration with Microsoft Office. Version 7, for example, has an Excel icon on most report screens. Clicking on the icon opens Excel and dumps the report into the spreadsheet. The formatting on the resulting spreadsheet is pretty good - but there are no formulas.

As I understand multiuser capability (which I don't use) has been part of the package until Version 8 where it costs extra, depending on the number of users.

One of the grumbles about Peachtree is that you have to know something about accounting to use it. That should be true whether you are keeping books on Peachtree, Quicken or a Big Chief tablet and No. 2 lead pencil. If you are running a business where accurate records are required and where the financial statements are relied upon for the management of the business and you don't have some knowledge of proper accounting methods, then you BETTER seek some expert assistance. If all you really want is a check writing program or a billing program, then a full featured accounting program may be overkill and simpler software may be sufficient. Just keep in mind there tends to be an inverse relationship between ease of use on the one hand and flexibility and scope of features available on the other hand (though exceptions abound).

All the major functions such as General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Inventory, a really cool Job Costing feature, etc., are fully integrated; a payroll check is immediately accessible in the G.L. without having to do any intermediate journal posting. The Fixed Assets program which will interface but IS a module that runs separately.

Peachtree is a General Ledger based system in that the full detail of all journal entries affecting a particular account is available in the G.L. Double clicking on a particular entry "drills down" to and then displays the check, invoice or other journal entry source document. Two fiscal years of detail are maintained. By changing the "accounting period" to the period (month) of interest, you can edit, add or delete transactions within this time period.

One of the strongest areas of Peachtree is the reporting capabilities - probably the part I like most about it. Almost everything that goes to screen or print is highly customizable. But be advised, taking advantage of this flexibility WILL require some time and effort to learn how to do. This is exacerbated by the fact that there are actually three different kinds of reports - Financial Statements, Forms, and Reports, each of which has its own system of modification. Financial statements can be designed with up to 30 columns with a myriad of date range possibilities and subsets of data (such as departments, enterprises, regions, etc.) The structure of financial statements is not tied to the order of the account numbering scheme.

Payroll is quite complete for software in this price range. In addition to the basics, you can set up 401k deductions, maintain important dates, track vacation time etc. Peachtree aggressively markets its Payroll Tax service but it is easy to update the tax tables yourself. There are default tax tables but you can also specify tax tables that are specific to one business. (Peachtree permits using the software to keep books for multiple business entities.)

For most of the common data entry tasks you can use either the mouse or the keyboard for navigation and entry. But it is somewhat inconsistent - for example if you are posting invoices and come to a customer who isn't on file you have to use the mouse to access the options on the screen that allows you to enter a new customer "on the fly".

Data entry can be assisted by optional features such as drop down screens in fields where you have lists - customer ID, inventory ID for example, "smart fill in" that completes the entry for you among others. On data entry forms you have the option to hide certain fields that you don't use so you don't have to skip over them as you are making entries. For example, in recording invoices if you don't use Customer Purchase Orders, alternate "ship to" addresses, sales reps, etc., you can hide these fields in your input form.

Of course there are things I don't like. The General Ledger requires more paper to print than necessary. I'm not keen on the fact there is only a single field for names (employees, vendors, customers) which makes it difficult to get an alphabetical list unless you design ID numbers in such a way as to approximate alphabetical order - or enter names in the Last Name, First Name reverse order. Mailing label options are limited You can, for example, assign a "type" to your customers, say Doctors, Fishermen and Golfers and generate a mailing list for any type. But you can't specify a customer is a member of the Doctor type AND the Golfer type (except maybe on Wednesday afternoon). Nor can you quickly go through your list of customers and check off a subset to receive a special mailing. You can develop a report of your customers that shows the amounts of inventory items each customer bought but you can't get a report of inventory items listing which customers bought that item. (You CAN dump the former report into Excel, sort it to get the latter order and then clean up the result.)

...I have set up a number of businesses which included sole proprietorship, partnership, charitable organization and corporation structures. I would recommend Peachtree Complete as an accounting solution to almost any business.

Peachtree Complete Accounting 7.0
After using Peachtree 7.0 for a year now in my manufacturing business, I still can't get the checking account to show an accurate balance! We still have to manage some features by creating spreadsheets in Excel that we use in parallel to Peachtree. Also a drag to have to purchase modules, forms, tax tables, and additional use licenses separately (and repeatedly) at such a high price...I resent feeling like I'm being bled by the manufacturer now that I'm 'locked in' to using the software. I REALLY wish the initial purchase had included two use licenses, since I have to buy an additional one JUST to write occasional quotes from home on my laptop.

I used three different accounting programs before purchasing Peachtree, all less comprehensive, but more accurate. I'm still wrestling with forms that print differently than they display on-screen, and so on. Nevertheless, I'm planning to buy version 8.0 and plod on until I learn it all, since it is the one program I know will serve me years into the future.

Great for accountants
The most feature-rich product in its price range, but it has asteep learning curve...

Powerful but not user friendly
I have used Peachtree Accounting for about 5 years now. I am happy with it's capabilities, but it is not particularly user friendly. The interface is not at all intuitive and there is a lot of redundancy. It is a very mouse intense program (five mouse clicks to complete a task when two would have sufficed). The account reconciliation program for balancing your checkbook is cumbersome and difficult to use.

I have an MBA and a strong accounting background and it definitely helps in using this program. I think this is more of a useful tool for accountants or professional bookkeepers than your average entrepreneurial Joe running his own small business. For that type of user, I would probably recommend QuickBooks.

Peachtree is far superior for keeping track of inventory and its payroll features are excellent. It also has a job costing feature that I use that I don't think can be matched by any other software in its price range.

Overall, if you are an intermediate to expert computer user and have a strong knowledge of accounting, or do a lot of job costing or work with inventories, this is an excellent tool. But it is clearly not for everyone. If you don't need some of these features, or if you want the program to demystify accounting and make it easy, you might want to look for a product that is easier to use or more appropriate to your accounting needs. ... Read more

Features

• Print out informative business reports for your home or business
• Create personal and business-size checks, for printing or sending by email
• Design and organize your own estimates, invoices, and statements
• Create new drafts and checks by phone or fax
• Track and manage customer payments

Amazon.com Product Description

Give your growing business a financial edge with CheckMark MultiLedger, a fully integrated accounting system. MultiLedger combines accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, bank reconciliation, and more in one program. Including features and capabilities similar to those found in products that cost thousands of dollars, MultiLedger integrates with CheckMark's Payroll and can network up to 10 users, each with their own password and security options.

Users can set up MultiLedger at any time of the year and select a chart of accounts from the samples provided. Easy set-up templates are included, and transactions can be posted to any of 15 open months. Data files can be imported and exported. A drill-down feature gives users instant access to GL, journals, customer reports, and vendor reports.

MultiLedger's users can enter transactions quickly using convenient pop-up lists. Functions like converting a quote to an invoice or transforming a purchase order to a payable require only the click of a button. MultiLedger's files run cross-platform, so you get both Windows and Macintosh versions in the same box. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

SMALLER, EASIER, FASTER
I have used this program for many years through many upgrades and find it to be one of the easiest and intuitive to use and navigate. I admit I may have a little different perspective since I'm an accountant. Some people have problems with programs because they don't have the background in accounting to understand some functions. I have used Multiledger to keep the books of several clients companies and have never had any trouble doing anything that was needed. I have also recommended it and trained others to use it. It has all the features needed with much smaller files and faster performance. An added benefit is that it has both Mac and Window versions and the files are interchangeable, so you can send you file to your accountant with no trouble. ... Read more

Product Description

FinAlyst (Financial Analyst) is a comprehensive financial tool used to calculate time values of money. It is sufficient in capabilities to satisfy a financial professional's most demanding requirements while also being simple enough for anyone to use for creating amortization schedules, audit loans, or to calculate the return on a series of cash flows. No other time value product on the market has all the time value of money features that FinAlyst includes. Using simple, easy to understand tables for data entry anyone can model a time value of money scenario. FinAlyst has been vetted for nearly 10 years by mathmaticians, accountants, bankers, and financial experts. It is truly an amazing and comprehensive product for time values of money. We back our product with a Hassle-Free Guarantee. Within 30 days from the date of purchase, if you are not satisfied, return the software and we will refund your money (excluding shipping charges). ... Read more

Features

• Loan Amortization and Loan Audits
• Return on Investment
• NPV & PV on Nonperiodic Flows
• Capital Budgeting, Annuities
• Mortgages, ARMs, Balloons

Amazon.com Review

Touted as a close relative to Quicken, QuickBooks, and other types ofpersonal accounting software, Peachtree First Accounting is a comprehensive andaffordable selection. With a pleasing interface that includes an action center,Quick Tip of the Day, and extensive help systems, anyone with an ear forfinances and a nose for organization can turn a small business into a well-oiledmachine.

Installation was quick and easy. We had Peachtree First Accounting running inless then five minutes, as it essentially installs itself. Getting on track fromPeachtree's startup menu is a simple process, even for a first-time user or anovice to accounting software. After starting a new company profile, the usercan select from 77 different types of template companies, import an alreadyexisting template from another version of Peachtree or another accountingprogram, or customize an entirely new template. After setting up a samplecompany, the software incorporates checklists with recommendations forprocedures that not only facilitate financial management, but could also teachan expert a thing or two.

Notable features of Peachtree First Accounting 8.0 include accounts-payablereports, customizable reports, payroll and 401K reports, and the ability toprint W2, W3, 940-EZ, 1099, and inventory forms. The software also features abusiness resource center, password security, instant Web-site creator, and jobcosting.

With a user's guide of almost 1000 pages, learning Peachtree Accounting may bedaunting at first. However, if one is willing to invest the time andeffort--from basic installation and interface to lengthy data entry and financialmanagement--Peachtree Accounting 8.0 can become intuitive and user-friendly. Inthe end, once mastered, Peachtree Accounting could prove to be a small-businessowner's personal assistant, Chief Financial Officer, and best friend.--Kendra Hayden ... Read more

Product Description

Net Worth Express is a unique software program that allows you to create and maintain a Statement of Financial Condition, also known as a Personal Financial Statement. Packed full of features, the PRO Edition is designed specifically for industry professionals and individuals with a more complex financial situation. Net Worth Express PRO Edition enables users to quickly compile a Statement of Financial Condition for individual clients based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Give your clients an edge when applying for or maintaining credit with a financial institution by providing them with a professional printout, custom-tailored to meet their specific needs. Analyzing the liabilities of your clients is as important as knowing and analyzing their assets. Net Worth Express provides the software to do both and gain a better understanding of you or your client's overall financial condition. It also allows you to track net worth on an on-going basis. Do it quickly and easily with Net Worth Express PRO Edition! For accounting and financial professionals, the more comprehensive and full featured PRO Edition, is the clear choice. Banking professionals may be interested in either edition depending on the specifics of their customers financial condition. Most individuals will find that the HOME Edition fully meets their financial statement preparation needs. However, individuals with a more complex financial situation (small business owners and high net worth people, for example) - may want to consider the extended features of the PRO Edition. This product is compatible with Microsoft Windows(R) ME, NT(R) 4.0, 2000 and XP. ... Read more

Features

• Create a professionally formatted Statement of Financial Condition based on GAAP with comprehensive notes
• Calculate net worth on an individual or joint basis, and track income and expenses
• Includes 18 detailed asset schedules and 12 detailed liability schedules
• Print an accountant's compilation report on company letterhead using or modifying the built-in standard report based on GAAP
• Produce unbranded reports intended for client delivery

Product Description

As accounting packages go, M.Y.O.B. packs more punch per dollar than almost any other system on the market. WEhat makes the program different is that it combines the funtionality experienced accountants expect with the ease of use novices demand. M.Y.O.B. is a solid double entry accounting system that can work in any small business ... Read more

Features

• Customizable Forms
• Flexible Reporting
• Changeable Entries
• Import and Export
• Cash Flow Forecasting

Features

• Tax software helps users with tax deductions
• Estimate fair market value of donations
• Automatically import data to TurboTax
• Saves hundreds of dollars
• Very easy to use

Reviews (33)

A good idea, but weak execution
This was my first (probably last) time using ItsDeductible. One rude surprise was that you can't export the data to TurboTax for the Web, which is what I'm using. So after all that painstaking data entry into ID, I have to do it all over again in TTFTW. I have sent a suggestion to Intuit, hopefully they'll get that fixed for next year.

This product would be more useful if it was purchased at the beginning of the year, and you stored all of your donations in it as you go. Instead, I'm spending a half day transferring handwritten notes on receipts into the software... I'm thinking I will use a spreadsheet for that this year, and save the cost of this program.

Another beef is that there are numerous reports shown, but there are only really two! Cheesy.

So, as a learning experience: keep digital photos of your donations, tie them to your data (a spreadsheet or this software), make reasonable estimates on the Fair Market Values, and you will be in good shape in case of an audit. The government doesn't allow much in the way of deductions to the average tax payer, so take advantage of what you can!

Does what it says it will do. No more and no less.
I bought this product in January 2003 and began to enter all donations, both cash and non-cash donations. The product was simple to use and it ended up saving me a large chunk off my taxes. In December 2003 I was ready for the next version, but it was not available, so I bought the H&R Block Version - Deduction Pro, since I had done my taxes using TaxCut (which I preferred over TurboTax - but that's another story). I waited until I had a substantial amount of non-cash donations to make, which was after the 60 day return period. Bad move! The version I bought in December 2003 was for the tax year 2003. The 2004 tax year version is not due to be released until August or September 2004. In order to benefit from either of these products you have to enter as you go, otherwise you will miss out on the value of the deduction. I contacted the H&R Block Customer Service people (via e-mail) to see about upgrading from 2003 to 2004 and they basically told me that I was out of luck and that they had no good idea of when the 2004 version was coming out. Bottom line - It's Deductible is easy, good and, best of all, available for the tax year that you are tracking.

Its A Joke
For years I have bought Intuit products (Quicken, TurboTax, ...) but never before have I been so disappointed. Its Deductible should really be titled "Its A Joke."

Yes, you can track your donations (cash, non-cash, mileage, medical, and other property). And yes, you can print a report
and supposedly import them to TurboTax (I did not try it). But that's it. I bought the product to not only track donations (a fairly simple task) but to also use the "market value" data to properly value all of my personal assets--my home inventory--for Quicken and for insurance purposes. Getting this information out of Its Deductible is essential impossible.

It does NOT provide a report to print out the market values (good/ fair/ poor condition) for a category of items. The only reports it does provide are limited. The only way to get this information is to write it down by hand. Oh, and by the way, the shrunk-wrapped product does NOT come with this market data on the CD. You first have to connect to the Internet. For security purposes (e.g. read about all the PC break-ins lately) my financial software and data are on a computer NOT connected to the Internet. To get anything useful from Its Deductible you'll have to connect to the Internet--a requirement that the box does NOT specify. The program will then proceed to download a 2.9 megabyte update--which on a 26.6 kbyte dial-up connection takes a loooooong time.

Worse yet is that the packaging says nothing about a "basic" version and a "deluxe" version--for an upgrade price. In the box I obviously got the "basic" version which does NOT allow you to download market value data for "Computers and Electronics." Come-on Intuit, how about some resonable advertising on your package? They also don't tell you on the package that the product is only good for one of two calendar years (e.g. 2003/2004). It's NOT a reference product that you could use for a few years. No, you'll have to buy it all over again next year. The box says nothing about that!...

Intuit, you've outdone yourself this time. Its Deductible is-- Its a Joke. I wasted hours wrestling with it to try and pry some useful market data out of it to value my personal property (to better decide what to donate, what to sell, and what to insure). It was a waste of time and a waste of money. As a long-time Intuit customer they are pushing me to the competition. The bottom line--don't buy this product.

Regretfully,
Frustrated Frank

Better than having to look up items on your own
I bought this after reading about it in USA Today. While it isn't all I hoped for, it was very helpful in organizing and valuing most of our many donations for the year. You have to buy an upgrade to value electronics though, which is a pain. Also, the installation is only good for one tax year. Since I picked 2003, it says I need to buy another copy for 2004 (not so much of an issue for 2004 buyers...). It did export nicely to my turbotax.

Oh, one more thing - you can track medical expenses and miscellaneous expenses in it, but you can't export them to turbotax. Its up to the user whether they want to waste their time doing that, but I did not realize that at first.

Year 3 and counting!
This is my third year using this product and I am very pleased with it. If you donate throughout the year and keep track as you go, this will be a great help to you. I could never figure out just how much to claim for things. This program clears up most of it. I don't understand all the people having trouble using the program. It works great for me! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

QuickBooks Basic 2003 is fast and easy to set up, learn, and use--and it starts saving you time right away. Enjoy the convenience of having all your financial information organized in one place. With just one click of a mouse, you can create reports to see how your business is performing. ... Read more

Reviews (54)

QuickBooks Pro 2002
Well, I have just spent 2 hours reading reviews on various Quick Books products,and was very supprised at the number of negative reviews. I have used Intuit products for years. I was using tax software back in the days of Mac-in-tax (before Intuit owned it). I do income tax preparation and keep my business records on Quick Books 2002 for windows. I don't know how I could survive with out their products. I also use Pro Series for income tax preparation, as well as Turbo tax for all the "freebes" I do for family and friends. (All of which are Intuit products). I can not recall ever having any of them crash.

In another life when I was Controller for a large Corporation, we had to buy new software to solve the Y2K problem. The company purchased the Great Plains Dynamics package. The up front cost with trainning and set up was $50,000! That's right, 50 THOUSAND, and I was never able to get a financial report from it. I had to "run" the general ledger, then pick the data out and enter it in Excel to get a financial statement. Then, I discovered Quick Books when I started my own business. I was amazed that for a few hundred dollars I had a very compent accounting program that gave me INSTANT financial reports in almost any configuration I could think of. I will admit there is a learning curve to using the software, but you have that with any new software. I was able to teach myself how to use the software,(no calls to tech support though there were times when I really wanted to). With a little work, I was soon very proficient with it. The information is availible in the documentation. However, that route is not for the faint of heart. I would recommend that new users who can afford it get some tranning before striking out on your own.

All in all I must say that all of Intuit products, or at least the ones I have used are excellent,and very inexpensive when compaired to many alternatives. But that is only my personal opinion, but one that comes from experience, and I don't even own the stock, but that is another story.

Time consuming to install and negligible improvement.
The installation is tedious and non-obvious. Moreover there is no succinct description in the documentation as to how to migrate files from version 2001. The default installation script for Windows XP did not function without some modification. And Norton Personal firewall must be turned off, while down loading all the patches and up-dates of which there are many. The only reason to buy this product is because Intuit's 2001 version will not function with contemporary versions of Internet Explorer, therefore if you use a current version of Explorer, and are doing a re-install of the product, you are forced into the up-grade, which for my business, offers no, as not any, value added, features.

Avoid QuickBooks if possible
My experience with the company has been extremely negative. Buy this software only if you are comfortable with the lease concept of paying for software, and if you're willing to work with a company that does not really care about its customers.

This product forces customers to purchase expensive "tax table updates" every year and then, when Intuit needs an extra jolt of income, to purchase an update of the entire product - hence QuickBooks 2003. Once you're in their software, it becomes difficult to change, so Intuit is able to arbitrarily set its price for the "updated tax tables" and product updates, and it does, relentlessly, in its favor. If the company would explain the concept up front, it would be ok - simply say that the software is leased every year for a certain fee. But it isn't sold that way. Beware - their method of automatically charging customers' credit cards every year for the update is aggressive - when you work with Intuit, you definitely need to read the fine print.

QuickBooks - quickly unsupported
Support even for the add-ons that require a monthly fee stops after 3 years. Do not think of this as a purchase, think of it as a 3-year lease.

Quick Rip-Off Books
I'm a tax professional and have recommended QB to over 100 business clients over the years. Last year I upgraded my own QB to 2003 so that I could continue to review clients bookkeeping in my office. BOY WHAT A MISTAKE! The worst part is the payroll interface which is a complete rip-off. I downloaded my "free" tax table which was included in my 299.99 price but now I can't run my year end payroll reports without subscribing to NEXT years tax table! Tax tables are FREE to the public in PUB 15 from the IRS and are only updated ONCE a year. Most states only update once a year if at all so the line about constant change is bogus. The only constant is Intuit's need to collect money. They added insult to injury by telling me that they could bypass the need for tax table update if I would pay $75 and up to speak with a techie! That borders on extortion. I am switching to Peachtree (located in Atlanta with support 'MADE IN THE USA')and am suggesting that my clients do the same as I will no longer review any accounting prepared using Quickbooks! ... Read more

Features

• A complete, fully bi-lingual, accounting solution for your growing business
• Multiuser ready, departmental accounting, time and billing, and more
• Perfect for more than 100 business types
• Get up and running in minutes using wizards
• Free setup support

Reviews (3)

What a complete package!
I have sold at least three different software packages in my previous business as a consultant and am truly amazed at the capabilities being offered by Simply Accounting Pro at such affordable pricing. I am starting a ditribution business and looked extensively at Quick Books Premier but then decided on Simply Accounting because of its completeness, ease of use and of course the cost. I highly recommend it and to those who don't care about accounting and want a simple way to track their transactions, like our friend who has given a poor rating to this package, I recommend using a spreadsheet. It is like wanting to drive and not wanting to learn the code!

Don't bother.
Who are they trying to kid. If you don't care to know much about accounting, then don't bother trying this product. They tout the ease of use of this product because it "uses wizards." However, given that I'm a leading usability specialist, I can tell you that just because they use wizards doesn't mean that it's easy to use. As a matter of fact, it's laborious. Granted, my only experience is with the free trial period, but I went through the trouble of importing my QuickBooks file only to find out that Simply Accounting didn't import any of my accounts. So I had to try to set up my accounts from scratch.

The first thing that I noticed that might be trouble was that you have to create arcane 4-digit account numbers for every type of account you set up. Like I care what number it is, it's just a checking account!

I run a small consulting company, 3 people, and selected "professional services" as the type of company, yet the software set itself up for inventory, sales of inventory, tax on inventory etc. As I said, I set it up as a professional services company. We don't have no stinking inventory!!!

My first task in the free trial period was to send out an invoice. I never completed the task. The software had me jump through hoops, asking me to set up primary bank accounts (which I could not figure out), accounts for sales, etc. I finally gave up. As I said, I'm a usability specialist and I base my usability evaluations on how well the user can complete their task with the product, not on how many wizards the product has. Based on my (limited) experience with this product, this software failed to help me complete the most basic of tasks, send out an invoice.

While I despise QuickBooks and the way Intuit treats its users, I still haven't found a suitable replacement for the small business person. Simply Accounting certainly isn't a good choice, unless of course you are an accountant. But I'm not. I'm just another small business person who doesn't want to spend a moment more than I have to to manage my finances. I need to focus my time on my business, not contorting myself every which way just to use a piece of software.

In summary, though I was looking for anything that could even remotely replace the big gorilla, QuickBooks, sadly Simply Accounting isn't it.

Great software!
Simply accounting is great and easy to use. I like it better than some other software in the market. But one simple problem, it is simple! ... Read more

Reviews (40)

A dud of an "upgrade"
I wish I had read some of the customer reviews here before "upgrading" from Quicken 2000 to Quicken 2004. I was pretty happy with 2000, but thought I'd be better off running in native OS-X mode. Big mistake! The new version is much slower than the old one and is less stable to boot. That's when running under Panther -- if you restart under 9.2.2 and try to use this program, it's a complete disaster. In either case, I've run into several major annoyances (apart from the crashes) in just a few days of use: (1) When you type text in a register field, the line of text has an annoying tendency to stretch and compress unpredictably, making it virtually impossible to place the cursor where you want to in order to make a correction. That didn't happen before! (2) Updating the prices in the investment portfolio used to be pretty fast, but now takes FOREVER. (3) When you finish reconciling a credit card account, the program no longer asks you if you want to pay the bill now; instead, you have to navigate to the checking account from which you are going to make the payment and enter the payment manually.

A decade of work down the drain
I first started using Quicken for DOS in 1993. Since then, I have diligently recorded every single financial transaction I have made, all the while upgrading seamlessly each year to the newest version of Quicken. Quicken was a part of my life, and moving my data regularly to the latest software update was always a breeze.

But then I decided to switch to Mac. While my overall experience moving to Mac was excellent (Macs rule!), the move of my Quicken data to Quicken 2004 for Mac was a nightmare. I spent literally dozens of hours tweaking my data and in many cases simply reentering it manually, and even now it still doesn't quite work right. The program itself is clunky and bears no resemblance to the popular Windows product.

To Intuit: Shame on you for putting this product in a box and selling it. You shouldn't even give this worthless thing away. It is so awful. I will never buy another Intuit product again. I don't know how your programmers can even look at themselves in the mirror. My kindergartener can write better software than this.

To Apple: You really ought to put your own personal financial software in the next round of iLife, and be sure to make it compatible with Quicken for Windows data. And for god sake, don't let Intuit pre-bundle any of their software on Macs in the future. It reflects poorly on Apple.

ITS A DISGRACE!
Beware of this program! Particularly if you are switching from the PC version which is much more advanced and accurate. This program has TONS of glaring problems that become apparent shortly after running the program. I can't understand how in the world it got off the market because of glaring and obvious nature of the problems that would make all other software companies stop production and send it back-for example, it quickly mixes up dates, consistently mixes up the positive or negative signs like of a credit card balance, and will crash on a whim. Basically it is pitiful alternative to the PC version.

I feel cheated that I am forced to use this software as there is no alternative for the MAC. Intuit be WARNED. YOU WILL LOOSE NEARLY THE ENTIRE MARKET SHARE OF FINANCIAL INTERNET SOFTWARE PRODUCT LINE WHEN A DECENT COMPETATOR COMES OUT!

To Macintosh: Where in the world is your answer to this. People would love an alternative built in the I Life series.

To Microsoft: Its yours for the taking. I would buy it tomorrow as anything has to be better than this.

Buggy and cumbersome - Need an alternative
after days of trying to get this software to work as expected, i'm ready to return it. i even bought a book to see if i was doing something wrong. the book is written for the Windows version and apparently is completely different. downloading data from Bank of America is very buggy. (not the fault of BofA, the data is clean, Quicken mixes up the records, wrong dates, changes amounts and titles, assigns strange categories, etc.) their support was completely unresponsive. their help files didnt address the issues. if this is your first time using financial software, there is no good way to get old information in. wish MS Money was available for Mac. really wish Apple would write an alternative. feel trapped with Quicken because there is no real competition.

Do NOT BUY or BE SORRY!
Having been a loyal user of Quicken 98 and 2000 since 1996, it was logical to upgrade when I switched to OSX. This product could not be more screwed up. Entries are mysteriously lost and duplicated. Reconciling does not work at all as numerous entries are not recognized, making accounts appear out of balance. And so on. After hours of trying to figure out what "I" was doing wrong, I went onto Intuit website only to find out that this (and more issues) are common problems. My solution for now is to go back to Quicken 2000 and launch with OS9 (major pain, but better than having consistently unreliable software/financial data). As soon as a comparable product is available for Mac I will switch. Unless you want to spend countless hours rebuilding your data, DO NOT BUY. Any review supporting this product could only be written by an Intuit executive or major shareholder. I've never been compelled to write a product review before, but this product is SO BAD, and Intuit is so unresponsive, it was my only option. ... Read more

Features

• Professional tools for small businesses
• Easily prepare professional invoices and estimates
• Use one of many built-in layouts or customize your own
• Import company logos or other graphic images
• Calculate totals, taxes, and discounts

Reviews (1)

Very user friendly
I used this to create estimates, then it lets you transfer that estimate right to an invoice. Very user friendly, It keeps track of all the invoices for future use, so you can see what the customer paid on a yearly basis, no need to upgrade very useful for small businesses or handyman type businesses. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

QuickBooks Premier Contractor Edition 2003 is custom-built for contractors to help you manage your business more effectively. With improved job-costing capabilities, you can see which jobs are making money and which are not. The 2003 edition includes five new job-cost reports, including Job Costs Detail, Job Costs by Vendor, and Expenses Not Assigned to Jobs to help you manage your job costs and business profitability.

With QuickBooks Premier Contractor 2003 you can compare actual costs to estimated costs; discover custom help topics for more accurate, complete job costing; and create more accurate and complete estimates. Track and print change orders for estimates--right from QuickBooks. Nine new contractor-specific reports give you greater insight, including Job Status, Time by Name with Billable Status, Certified Payroll-Box 1 Employee Information, and more.

The Expert Analysis tool is tailored to your specific construction industry and provides charts, graphs, and suggestions for improvement based on your QuickBooks data. You can easily access your key contractor activities and reports with the contractor menu and navigator. You also get over 100 new form designs, and more customization options for forms.

Specialized tips and tricks help you correctly set up QuickBooks Premier Contractor Edition 2003, and you can quickly and easily transfer your QuickBooks data file. This version includes all the features and reports of QuickBooks Pro and Premier 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Best Accounting Software for Business
I am a professional accountant who worked with all kinds of accounting software. Quickbooks Accountant Edition 2003 has all the functions that both small and medium size business can use. It even has contractor functions, not much different from Timberline that is 100 times more expensive. With basic understanding of accounting, almost anyone can use the software. All other drawbacks such as necessity to purchase additional software to process payroll is negligible compared to the cost of more expensive accounting software. The quality of this software is excellent. Never pay the software producer for consulting, because Quickbooks is very simple to use and almost self-explanatory.

Quick! QuickBooks Premier Contractor Edition 2003
An interesting introduction to Accounting software. I had been using quicken and the jump in user knowledge needed was tremendous. Intuit is decidedly unsupportive when it comes to product instructions and support and I will be looking elsewhere for my next software package. It is possible that I will use continue to use QB but I would reccomend that new QB users start out with a less expensive version. The "more accurate estimating" is all user inputed and while better than anything you find in quicken I believe QB Premier advertisement overstates its usefulness.

I cannot emphasize enough that Intuit charges you for support with regaurds to its product which is costly to begin with. That came as a particularly nasty surprize.

QB premier contractor series contributed in many positve ways to how my business runs and the job costing procedures are excellent, helpful, and informative.

A great program if you need all of its features
I've been using Quickbooks in its various forms since version 1.0 (for DOS!). So by now I consider it indispensable. But Quickbooks 2003 Premier Contractor's Edition is quite pricey, even with the rebates. I would only recommend it for larger companies with at least a few employees. Many smaller contracting companies (such as mine) would manage very well with just Quickbooks Pro 2003. Also, if you haven't used previous versions of Quickbooks before, (when it had less features) it might be best to start out with the simpler versions. Its help systems are very extensive but if you need any assistance from Intuit be warned that they charge for it either per request or by a yearly subscription, which I feel is a bit of a slap in the face considering the cost! The extra features such as the Change Orders and Contractor specific Job analysis and reports could be helpful but for me at least that remains to be seen.

PERFECT for ALL Accounting Functions
This package is perfect for the Accountant, the Bookkeeper or the Owner of a Small to Medium Size Business that likes to use most Accounting functions/reporting etc.

As the "QuickBooks Guru", I use this particular version for all my clients no matter if they have Pro, Basic, Contractor or Premier Version. The reporting functions are built in, so there is very little modifying if at all.

Between the new templates, add on features, invoice functionality (much better)---and naturally the remote access feature that makes a great training feature between my clients and myself !

The people that are disgruntled either have had poor set up,or are not understanding the ease of the program. I customize every client specifically to their business, and I have had NO complaints when they get their Income Statements, updated books, Bank Reconciliations...cash flow reports, Job Costs, Time tracking etc.

If you KNOW QuickBooks, this is the program to BUY! ... Read more

Features

• Financial management system for businesses
• Import data from popular office software
• Easily manage accounts payable and receivable
• Customize reports, prices and more
• Automatically track information for taxes and reporting

Reviews (6)

Review of QuickBooks 6.0 for the Mac
QuickBooks Pro 2004, produced by Intuit, is a software program that allows you to manage the fiscal side of your business, such as invoices, estimates, timesheets, and payroll, among other things. It also has the ability to export to Microsoft Excel, allows for automatic backups, and, of course, the much welcomed file conversion capability from previous QuickBooks' formats. The QuickBooks line has always been highly respected in the financial field, and I was eager to dive in and begin running it through its paces.

The computer requirements, according to the overlay emblazoned upon the front of the software package, is Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X as an operating system; however, Intuit's website states more defined "recommended" requirements of the operating system, i.e., Mac OS 9.2.2, Mac OS 10.2.7, or Mac OS 10.3 as the minimal OS. The recommended system RAM is 128MB, the required hard drive space is 100MB. In addition, a CDROM and color monitor capable of supporting millions of colors and a minimum resolution of 1024 X 768 is needed. Requirements for use of an "add-on" product named Aatrix Top Pay may vary from what is used by QuickBooks Pro 2004.

Installing QuickBooks Pro 2004 is relatively easy, just insert the CDROM, the contents should then automatically appear on the desktop once the CD spins up, and then simply double-click the "QuickBooks Pro 6.0 Installer" icon and installation begins. Here is where I discovered the exacting requirements of an operating system needed to run QuickBooks. I attempted to install QuickBooks onto my Macintosh running Mac OS 9.1 but the installation stopped itself and informed me that Mac OS 9.2.2 is required. Okay, easy enough to fix but I really wanted to use it on that particular Mac and I did--and still do--not want to upgrade to Mac OS 9.2.2, so I ejected the CD, walked over to my iMac, and began the installation process over. After installation, I double-clicked the QuickBooks icon and was greeted with a registration screen warning that the program requires registration before your 25th use of QuickBooks. After I selected the remind-later option, I was presented with the actual program screen.

Keeping in pace with the Macintosh graphical user interface, the interface is nice and simple, and really easy to navigate. This simplicity carries over to your options, which are to open a user's guide, sample file, or existing file, or to create a new file. That is as straightforward as it gets.

QuickBooks Pro 2004 is very configurable. Once you are up and running, if there is anything you do not understand, an answer may usually be found in the provided user's guide or the online FAQ file at their website. And, yes, you can even call for telephone technical support which varies from annual support plans to a per-incident charge. It's up to you. In fact, I find the program so user-friendly--and it is not surprising because of its long history in the industry--that it seems to fit users with varying degrees of experience. Any user level from beginner to expert should feel quite comfortable navigating through the application.

As a few examples of the user-friendly orientation of the program, I provide the following overviews. One of the main tasks of business owners is building and viewing reports, and this program offers of one of the easiest report builders because it's built in! Payroll is actually handled by Aatrix Top Pay, utilizing the information in your QuickBooks file, and the way it works with QuickBooks is among the best examples of ease-of-use. Invoicing is just a click away. You select items to bill your customer from within the appropriate heading's contextual drop-down menu and QuickBooks fills in the rest. One thing I do like is the capability to "personalize" messages in a document, i.e., bill, invoice, etc., so you can include a simple "Thank you for your business" or anything else you would like to say to your customers. You choose what customer messages to include from a drop-down, and, yes, you can add or delete messages at will. Nice feature.

Bottom line: Does QuickBooks Pro 2004 perform well? Yes. Do I recommend it? Yes.

thank you 'centuryvii' for your review
I have been using version 5 for a couple of years now but would like the ability to download my bank statements since my banking institution is offering this for free for a year. However, after reading centuryvii's review I don't think I will be upgrading since Pro 6 doesn't offer this feature as well.
I was on the phone for quite some time with QuickBooks/Intuit but never did get a straight answer to this question.
I was hoping that downloading would be able as it is with Quicken but unfortunately...

Horrible
The Mac version (6) just doesn't work like it should. I tried updating my company files from the windows version 2002- it took a great deal of time with tech support and there was no way it could be done by just reading the manual.
The fatal flaw however is with the payroll module by Aatrix. This thing is horrible. I might as well use a spread sheet. It would be easier!

NO Quickbooks multi-user on Macintosh network
A nasty little secret - Intuit does not support multi-user access in Quickbooks for Macintosh, so a small business with 2 - 3 people can't all have the financials open - must use one at a time, have to close out to let someone else open the system. Very disappointing! They seem to have no interest or commitment to fixing this flaw.

Also the web version only works on PCs, so that isn't an option either.

Good package overall, but this is a killer problem for us - we're looking to switch to something else - MYOB, etc.

Regarding the Payroll component
Small business owners need to be aware that this program uses Aatrix Top Pay for the payroll function. The payroll package has a goofy user interface, but what bothers me is that you need to pay Aatrix about $130 a year to get tax table data updated. The program has no options to the tax table information. It strikes me pretty steep to pay $130 yearly for updates to the tax tables. The payroll function also makes mistakes on printouts of the check stubs when checks need to be reprinted. It also drops summaries of amounts paid year to date when something like a bonus is not included in a pay period. Aatrix did not reply to eMails regarding these bugs. I have searched for another pay package that can be used with QB Pro 6 for the Mac, but no one else provides a solution.

The Aatrix gets by on payroll, but has definite problems and you will pay over a hundred a year for software updates. There are no other software options for Payroll in Quickbooks Pro 6 for Mac. ... Read more