This question, or something similar, is one I am constantly asked. The answer is simple.

The best program to use is the one that you own, or that you know how to use.

While MYOB and Quickbooks previously were the most popular choices, the new Xero program has appeared on the market and offered another alternative. Then Quickbooks changed to it’s Reckon name in Australia, and business owners started wondering whether they were doing it wrong all of a sudden. But rest assured, they all do the same thing, more or less. It is the owners needs, and their ability to use the product that should be the deciding factor in which program to choose. Download the trial program if you need to and play with it to see how it works. Any program is only as good as the input operator using it, so find one that works for you.

A simple spreadsheet may be sufficient for small start-up businesses to process their accounts. This may allow the business owner to maintain the spreadsheet themselves in the initial stages of business. It will also calculate totals if formatted correctly.

Some business owners can do it all themselves, and do very well for a while. Then they get busier and it becomes a chore they do can’t do any more, or simply no longer want to.

They can’t afford to hire someone on a weekly basis, but haven’t figured out that outsourcing bookkeeping on a monthly basis might be the solution. It would also give them someone else to talk to about their business on a regular basis, and touch base with an experienced professional.

We suggest that you don’t need to use a bookkeeper every week. You may just like a monthly service, or you may prefer to use Whereabout Bookkeeping just for the BAS. Whatever your current situation, or whatever your requirements may be, call Angie on 0421 727 043 or email her on [email protected] for a no fuss and straight to the point discussion about helping you achieve your needs.