Expert: Scottgem - 5/7/2005

Question
Hello –

My wife and I started a small business in March of this year and we wanted software for us to keep track of invoices and bills.  We started with Microsoft Money Deluxe and Business to keep track of our finances, but the system has now “crashed for the third time.  Approximately a week ago I spent and hour and a half with Microsoft tech support and after making some chnages in the configeration of our machine our program ran fine until last night. When this  happens the software goes back to the very beginning, wiping out everything we have inputed - just as we had never used it.  There is not enough time for us to continue to work with Microsoft tech support every time this happens.  We have backups, but for some reason they don't install the current
data.

I have a good friend that has tried Quicken and he has quit using it due to similar issues.

Is there inexpensive software for small entrepreneurs who just want to track expenses and income that would create monthly reports and prepare Schedule C reports that are not Microsoft or Quicken?

Thank you,  



Bill Robinson


Answer
First, I have been using Quicken for about 15 years. I have never had any problems with it crashing, losing data or the like. I don't know what your friend has experienced, but I suspect the problem is with his configuration and not Quicken.

Second, Quickbooks is by far the market leader in small business accounting. I know several companies who use it and swear by it. It has become so dominant it has forced most of the others like Peacthtree and Dak out of the market.

Of course a lot depends on the nature of your finances. If they are simple enough you can use a spreadsheet.

I created my own Invoicing program using Microsoft Access. I use that in combination with Quicken to produce the reports I need for my Schedule C return.

HTH
Scott<>