Features

• Financial management software for small businesses
• Easily pay bills, print checks, track expenses, and much more
• Customize 100+ pre-designed forms to create a unique look
• Exchange data with Microsoft Excel and 325+ other software applications
• Track employee time and job costs; compare estimated costs to actuals

Features

• Choose from 40,000 legal documents; protect family and assets
• Create a legal will, living trust, financial power of attorney, and more
• Comprehensive and easy to use with step-by-step interviews
• Automatically reflects specific state laws; cuts legal fees
• Comprehensive onscreen legal manual; expert tech support available

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 (36)

The Good and the Bad
I have been using quickbooks since 1996. If you are a small business and do all of your accounting on one specific computer, then this is most likely the best of the lot. The alternative is to go to a much higher accounting software cost bracket.
I find many of its functions intuitive. The principal draw for upgrading (from version 2002) is the better invoice design facilities, which previously have been a bit archaic in their limitations.
Before critising too much, users must realize that this is a complex product, which has a lot of ins and outs, which is why no one else has created anything better yet. It takes experiece. The bad is the style that inuit has adopted for their uninvited advertising and sales gimicks.
Intuits greed factor is rampant, which does nothing to kinder customer loyalty. When the day comes when a software company has the skill to put together something better, which can also imports quickbook file formats and can effectively market it in a way that respects business professionals, their customer base will rapidly dwindle.
Being a professional software developer, i can only say that they need to clean up their code base. The program is slow to load, and does not look like it would handle a business that grosses over a million per year on moderate ticket size sales.
To bypass their email servers, simply print your invoices or receipts as pdf files, and email the pdf files.
Hopefully someone from intuit will read these reviews and do a rescue for their company. In the software business, you can never rest on your laurals, and in this case those laurals are withering.

My personal wish list: the ability to have transactions move across companies. For example if you set up your personal finances as one company, and your business as another, and you give your self a pay check, or move money from one business to the other, then it would be nice if an easy to use pop up box, could record the transaction for you in both companies.

Intuit does it again with a great accounting software packag
Other than a few accounting classes in college, I'm no accounting expert. Intuit has always helped me feel like a CPA and this new release makes it even easier.

This is great for a small business as both myself and my partner can look "at the books" at the same time and make changes without any problems.

The biggest thing I like about this new edition is the Loan Manager. I like seeing all the loan information in one place and doing a payment from the loan manager is quick and easy. I like how it instantly shows you how the loan payment effects the entire loan. This is a great addition to this version of Quickbooks.

With all of the business related travelling, the Vehicle Milage Tracker is also a great addition. And the Cash Flow Projector was a nice feature to play around with as well.... very nice!!

Also, one of my favorite improvements is how well it intereacts with Microsoft Office. The ability to turn an invoice into a .pdf and instantly mail it off has been a huge time saver. I read it also works great with importing and exporting to Excel. I haven't played with it, but it is nice to know that is there when I need it (I'm sure I will some day).

If you already have Quickbooks, you should most definately go with this product. If you are starting a business, I would suggest this product over any other small business accounting software.

QuickBooks Pro 2004 brings "slop-ware" to the forefront.
My company was "sunsetted" by Quickbooks so we had to upgrade. Pretty much everything went wrong. The install loaded spyware on our computer and overwrote many of our security settings. You have to have Internet Explorer set to "medium security" even if you don't use QB 2004 on the internet. Riddled with internal "adware" and "buy-me" where you think help menus might be. Don't use this version if you have a choice. Take a look at PeachTree.

The good news is that the very basic functions still work and that most of the useless and annoying "enchancements" can be turned off or gotten around.

send a big pile of money to intuit
i am sorry to say i have used quickbooks pro for 6 years
the interface is good, software is great, BUT the never ending
FOR A FEE gets overwhelming, i own a small business and did my own books with QB pro, enough was never enough, got a question, better have $70.00 in one of their approved bank accounts or just get in line again, and hope you can understand the person on the phone ,,,,, LOOK carefully before you bind yourself to any accounting software, intuit will bind you and never let loose.. until you buy your way out
tomh

Not perfect, but still better than keeping books by hand
Yes, this product has hidden costs like tech support, yearly tax tables, and upgrades, but it is still better than doing bookkeeping for a small business by hand.

Some of the other fees one doesn't think about are:

1. Printer checks, invoices (if you choose to use perforated forms or letterhead), and envelopes for both. No bank will supply QB checks for free...and they aren't cheap either.
2. To email your invoices you have to subscribe to "online billing" for a fee...However, I found that one can simply print the invoice, scan it and email it as an attachment.
3. To do direct deposit for payroll, one must subscribe to "payroll direct deposit" for a fee. (I haven't figured out a way around this one yet.)

Yes, there were some unpleasant tech support people--like there are everywhere, but I found the option of buying a year of tech support (appx. $350.00 ) to be very helpful for the first year I used this product. Support is available via phone, IM, and email. I found IM to be the best method. By the end of that year of support I was asking questions that stumped tech. support, or I was able to think of a better solution myself, so this product is not hard to figure out...but it does take some figuring out. And it is nice to have the cushion of support while you learn. (The manual is valueless-use the help button or better: buy "Quickbooks for Dummies".)

With all those costs, you can expect to drop about $1000.00 up front just to get this program up and running.

Hints:
DO NOT EVER load any balances in QB for payroll or customers. You should go back and do every single transaction individually and backdate it the original date of the invoice or payment or whatever. Run your old payrolls one pay period at a time-print them on blank paper with the old check number. You MUST use the payroll liabilities feature to pay all payroll taxes--you can adjust the amounts to match what you have already paid before using QB, otherwise your balances and calculations in QB will be messed up all year like mine were. Even if you have to load a YEAR'S worth of transactions, it is better to do them one item at a time rather than load balances. Start at or as close to your fiscal year as possible for conversion to QB.

DO buy tech support for six months or a year: it was well worth it, especially for 1099s and other headaches that one doesn't do everyday.

SURPRISE: 1099s will print for only ONE accounting code--I found that out the hard way. So for 1099s, USE ONE MASTER ACCOUNT, if you need several 1099 codes, list them as subaccounts of the master account. I.E.: 1099 Contractors, and have 1099 drafting, 1099 engineering, 1099 transporting as subaccounts.

You HAVE TO have internet access to use this product. Try to have a highspeed connection to the internet, it takes up to 30 minutes to d/l the updates and tax tables via 56K dialup.

DO NOT USE the "enter bills" and "pay bills" portion of the program. Just write the checks manually to vendors-that way you only have to do the work once.

Make no mistake, if you buy this or any other accounting program for that matter, you will cease to be a bookkeeper and become a baby sitter for a computer! ... Read more

Features

• Powerful tool for managing business and personal finances
• Create customizable estimates and invoices
• Generate business reports and graphs, including Schedule C
• Track accounts receivable and payable
• Includes all features in Quicken 2005 Premier

Features

• Save, invest, and track profits in minutes
• Download banking, credit card, and brokerage transactions
• Track spending; manage investments; prepare for tax time
• Track portfolio performance; read news stories related to holdings
• Track home inventory and value; convenient iCal calendar

Features

• Over 100 feature improvements on popular tools
• Connect instantly to bank, credit card sites, and 401(k) providers
• Manage finances by setting up automatic transactions
• Quickly and easily track investment holdings
• Plan for financial goals by viewing net worth over time

Features

• Powerful, easy-to-use tools for managing personal finances
• Track checking, savings, and credit-card transactions in one place
• Reconcile bank statements and balance checkbook in minutes
• Write and print checks or pay bills online
• Quickly and easily create a personalized budget

Features

• Write like a professional with Word 2002
• Get up and go with Streets & Trips 2005
• Edit and organize your photos with Picture It! Premium 10
• Explore the world with Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2005
• Get those finances in order with Money Standard 2005

Features

• Personal finance software with award-winning Portfolio Manager
• Automatically consolidates online financial information
• Provides essential tools for planning financial future
• Integrated GainsKeeper for tax-smart investment choices
• Simplify taxes, maximize savings; achieve financial goals

Features

• Comprehensive finance solution for small companies
• Categorize income and expenses; handle billing effortlessly
• Get expert advice from current news and useful articles
• Keep up with taxable expenses automatically
• Free financial services, including 1 year online payroll from PayCycle

Features

• Tax preparation software with step-by-step guidance and free electronic filing
• Extra help for mortgages, charitable contributions, and other important deductions
• Assistance from official IRS publications and expert video advice
• Updated life events planner; medical expense expert; complete tax library
• Double-checks return for accuracy; compares last year's deductions to this year's

Features

• Software for corporation, partnership, and fiduciary income taxes
• Step-by-step guidance; easy-to-understand language; simplified navigation
• Prepare and print W-2 and 1099-MISC forms for employees and contractors
• Automatically import and easily edit QuickBooks data for 2003 or higher
• Comprehensive Business Tax Library; checks for accuracy

Features

• Tax preparation software with step-by-step guidance and free electronic filing
• Help and advice for investments, Schedule C businesses, and rental property
• Extra guidance on business asset depreciation and home-office deductions
• Assistance with reporting stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
• Maximize 401(k) contributions without decreasing take-home pay

Features

• Easy-to-use personal finance software
• Automatically consolidates online financial information
• Works with bank Web site to access account info
• Create budgets; track expenses; pay bills online
• View the big picture or quickly drill down to details

Amazon.com Review

It's a newspaper, it's a Web site--it's all of the information thatcomes rolled up in every edition of The Wall Street Journal and much more,available online. Anyone who wants to stay on top of U.S. and internationalnews, especially economic and technology-oriented stories, will find The WallStreet Journal Online to be a valuable asset. Forbes has called it "simply thebest business news site on the Web."

The interactive Journal delivers stock quotes on demand, continually updatednews, a customized news- and portfolio-tracking service, access to extensivearchives, and "briefing books" for 22,000 companies and more than 7,000 U.S.mutual funds.

Readers who are familiar with the print edition will not be surprised by theinteractive Journal's personality: it looks a lot like the paper version, andit's just as staid as its paper counterpart. Navigation is intuitive and ease ofuse is... easy.

Unlike the print journal, this version follows you to work and around the world.All you need is your password and laptop to carry this invaluable businesspartner to any meeting, anywhere. --Stefanie Durbin ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Powerful Business Tool
As a WSJ journal addict who is traveling a great deal, I found it better to eliminate my paper subscription and go electronic. At first, I had both the print and online versions, but I found the paper version wasteful as it still contains stock quotes and large print ads on stock offerings.

While I have no way of knowing if other reviewers have a different online WSJ with pop-up advertisements, which I doubt, there are none on mine. In fact, the online WSJ is vastly more streamlined than Forbes, Fortune, CNN, etc. The clutter-free layout allows for easy navigation.

The content of the WSJ is unparalleled. What makes the online version so powerful for business research, lead generation and job hunting is the search capability. My major complaint is that free search only goes back for thirty days. For those who want to pay [$] per article, you can use the advanced search page and access Factiva/Dow Jones, which covers hundreds of publication both large and small. Dow Jones argues that they have to compensate the content owners. Yet, they don't even offer WSJ articles that are already owned.

If you are looking for business ideas or contacts, the WSJ is an excellent publication. The online WSJ makes gathering this information less consuming than the print version.

Can't stop charges
You can only order the e-version by credit card. I gave them a credit card that would expire prior to my next renewal and surprise the WSJ managed to put thru a charge anyway. As stated in the other reviews there is nothing in the site labeled cancel subscription. So once they have your number- watch out, unless you are willing to spend a LONG LONG time on the PHONE (i.e. not computer) trying to get your charges reversed. I personally believe both items are purposeful, only taking a charge card and then offering no on line method to cancel the subscription. Customer service is a JOKE!!!!

this is supposed to be a review of wsj online not amazon!
this is the only subscription I would pay for. Easiest to activate, just use the supplied password and then you can change it later.

Can't "ship" it overseas
I tried to buy this package but in the ordering process was told that since I'm in New Zealand, the item cannot be "shipped" to my destination. Any system that maladroit deserves to choke on its own emissions -- and while it's probably more a reflection on Amazon than the Journal, someone at the paper should be more awake to these sorts of issues.

Minus 1 star for customer service
Customer service sucks, but i put up with it because you just can't beat the content. ... Read more

Features

• Personal finance software with award-winning Portfolio Manager
• Automatically consolidates online financial information
• Essential tools for improving credit and organizing taxes
• Stay up-to-date on accounts and transactions
• Get help with credit and debt; simplify taxes

Features

• Optimize investments, monitor worth, and view complete financial picture
• Instantly connect to bank and credit card sites with a push of a button
• Easy-to-use investment area looks just like a broker statement
• Track investment holdings; intelligent and tax-smart investing insights
• View average annual return for entire portfolio and individual accounts

Reviews (14)

Do it Microsofts way or else!
I've been using MS Money products for about a year now after switching from Quicken. I was tempted by the lower costs and on-line freebies. While the product overall works ok, I believe that the reviewer that made this comment

>>>2. It's a typical Microsoft product. That means the software tries to outsmart you rather than letting you work the way you want to. <<<<

makes a very good point. This is very frustrating to me because we don't all think alike. I've always been able to set up Quicken exactly the way I wanted and it was always very intuitive. I've never felt that way with Money. Just this week I was trying to get Money to set up my budget the way I wanted it. Paychecks can be entered in several different ways. I told Money that I was paid every other week. After entering the bi-weekly amount it then proceeded to calculate a yearly total and then avereaged it over 12 months. This then is the budgeted income amount that shows up on budget reports. Being that there are some months with 3 pay periods instead of 2, this averaged amount is never what I am actually paid. It's just one of the frustrating little ways that Money trys to outsmart you. I'm going back to Quicken.

Not worth even trying
I've been using Quicken for years, but I like to check out alternatives. So, since there were many positive reviews, here and in the PC mags, I thought I'd give Money a try.

Forget it! Here's why:

1. A pain in the neck to set up.
2. It wouldn't import my Quicken data.
3. Couldn't review and modify what was being set up.
4. Documentation inadequate.

Need I go on? I'm not a novice, so if I had trouble, I expect that so will most others.

Quicken is far from perfect, but on the whole it has been solid, powerful, and fairly easy to use. The latest versions have annoying ads, but I find that easier to live with than the Money interface.

Serious flaw in reporting
I've been a Money user for many years. I love the design and find it easy to work with.

Imagine my horror, then, when doing my tax reports this year I discovered that Money failed to list all my tax expenses. I noticed this only because a major expense was missing from the report, so the error was glaring.

When I then went to check, I found Money failed to list around 20% of my expenses. If I had not discovered this error, I would have ended up paying $5000 more tax than necessary. I haven't checked past years' returns, yet, but if this flaw has existed in previous versions, then I've been overpaying my taxes for years thanks to Money.

I have checked and rechecked over a dozen times to ensure the error is not my own. It's not. The missing expenses are correctly categorize as tax expenses, they are in accounts which are included in my tax reports, and they are for the correct reporting period. Strangely, Money will report a similar expense and then skip the next, similarly categorized expense.

If you're going to use this product, treble check your reports at tax time.

If Only I Had a Chance to Use It
I got a copy of MS Money 2004 for Christmas as requested. I've used MS Money 98 for a long long time, and I figured it was time for an upgrade.

I installed the program, and installation went perfectly; no problems. However, as soon as I tried to launch the program I got an error message, and the program wouldn't even run. I tried a few things (I consider myself quite computer savvy), but none of my solutions worked. I still got the error message.

My only choice was to beg for the mercy of Microsoft. Since I wasn't about to pay for the expensive phone call to talk to a live person, I decided to use their online assistance. So far I've dealt with two different technical assistants, and neither one of them seem competent. The second individual is actually quite condescending. Hopefully I'll get a third helper that's nicer.

I'm still receiving "help" from Microsoft, but none of it is working. I've NEVER had any problems with ANY other software working on my PC, so I know it's MS Money 2004.

Until Microsoft can fix their faulty program, I rate MS Money 2004 1 star. The only reason I'm even giving that one star instead of none is because I really liked MS Money 98, and I figure it couldn't have gotten any worse (If it worked).

Microsoft Money isn't worth it!
I bought Microsoft Money Premium because of the reviews listed here, was a former Quicken user. Sorry, but I had nothing but problems with it. Couldn't get it to connect to my E*Trade account or my Fleet bank account, only Fidelity. Their solution was to have me talk to E*Trade, yah right! Problem is on Microsoft Money's side as my Fidelity account has no problem interacting with Fleet and E*Trade. Also documentation was terrible and I'm an IT person that writes software for a living.

Bought Quicken 2004 online and had it running and connected to all accounts in less than an hour, no problems. Save yourself the headache and get Quicken 2004. Have had no problems whatever running it on Windows XP SP1. ... Read more

Features

• Easy-to-use software for managing your finances
• Track spending, manage investments, plan for the future, and more
• Easily download financial data directly into Quicken
• Works with 2,000+ banks, credit card, brokerage, and 401(k) companies
• View net worth by cash, property, or stocks; revealing charts and graphs

Reviews (170)

Makes a pen and notebook seem like a great idea
Like others, I was also asked to upgrade (from 2002) and I did. What a mistake. Random bits of my brokerage data was lost and it has taken many months to get it back in order. Reconcilation is a pain with lots of screen delays on my PIII 500. The bugs keep popping up. For example, my security list can not remember the Vanguard S&P500 Index (VFINX). I have to enter it as a new security each time I want to use it. Do I sound frustrated? You bet I am. Watching this once great program turn into what is today will do that.

It's terrible
So Intuit sent me friendly mail saying they were going to stop stock updates in the Quicken I use, Q2000. In a wildly self-serving manner they suggested I upgrade. I did. And this version is simply horrific - the UI is a mash of popup windows, the account list is gone (or maybe not, but I can't find it) - and I used that list to navigate my accounts - and everything is hard to understand and use. It's terrible. Stay away. Now all I need is something to track my investments...

Can't add - hate the GUI
Like many of you I was forced out of Quicken 98 and into 2004. What a lot of useless junk on the screen and "support" tells me there's no way to trim down the display. Furthermore the system crashes and can't add during reconciles (!).
But here's my question: is there another forum for discussion besides Amazon? A place where we can share usage secrets and compare Quicken with Money or Quickbooks?

Hope you don't need support & you will!!!
I just bought this program because I have been a Quicken user for several years and lost my old disk and just decided to buy the new version. First of all when you make a payment/ transfer from your Checking to a credit card it will count the payment as income on your income statement. Also the print option on this program doesn't work at all. It won't even let me into the setup or options or anything. I've tried & tried to get ahold of support and they charge $1.95 per min to help you fix a problem with they're program. I'm sorry but thats not how I do business. Personally I think I'm going to take it back and look for another option.

Bugs Bugs Bugs
Can you say broken?

I've been a religious user of Quicken since Quicken 98 and am seriously disappointed with this version. Support is useless for anything advanced. Some specific gripes:

1. When you change your pin with online bank, it'll never save your new pin, despite what it tells you.

2. File "backup" fails every time with a semi complex datafile. There's an "unreferenced memory error." Sloppy programmers leaving dangling pointers.

3. The file "validation" utility corrupts your data file removing references when the references existed in the account before.

4. Frequently is not able to record split transactions between multiple accounts (not categories). It'll record the split in one account, not others. Result, you'll have missing references.

5. Investment transactions will reset values under certain circumstances when you revisit recorded transactions.

6. Still doesn't allow you to have post-tax/non-taxable income in your paycheck (like for expense report payments).

Data integrity problems.

If you're using older version -- DONT UPGRADE, unless you like corrupted data. I would advise, version 2003.

Unfortunately, MS Money isn't much better from a feature set standpoint. Despite that, I'm considering switching just outta spite. ... Read more