COMPUTER ACCOUNTING PROGRAMS Review of Best Accounting Programs for Small Business SOURCE: PC COMPUTING MAGAZINE OCT 94 Pg 88,FEB 95 Pg 104,MAR 95 Pg 77
These are all Windows programs and CD-ROM versions are preferable. If you require a program approved by the IRS or the Federal Accounting Standards Board, you should contact them for the latest approved list. QuickBooks 3.0 Probably the easiest to use of these programs. Has capability for inventory management systems, invoices, billings, check register,invoice taxing tracking, finance charges, discounts, job costing, P&L's, balance sheets, and more. QuickPay @ (est) $49 additional provides payroll capabilities. Has 60 ready-made QuickReports and 15 business charts. This program was first choice of PC Computing Magazine. Their comments included "Easy access-even for the novice" "Ground-breaking inventory management and auditing" "A complete small business accounting package for the price of lunch" Peachtree Accounting 3.0 User-friendly - Full featured - Has power to handle everything from very small business to a $100 million company. Has built-in inventory and payroll modules. Has similar core accounting functions as QuickBooks. Can get started easily by picking one of 60 business templates. Pop-up guides provide help in customizing charts. Has many invoice templates for various products and service businesses. Has over 100 standard forms and financial reports which are easily customized. Has an enhanced set of analysis tools to track a company's health. Five custom spreadsheets are available to help with cash flow problems and analysis. PC Computing Magazine's comments include "Anticipates your needs" "Analysis and scheduling tools break new ground" "The most painless way to keep books" BestWare's M.Y.O.B. 5.0 Good program, but PC's preference is toward Peachtree and QuickBooks. Their comments include "Lots of hand-holding during setup but customizing templates could be easier" "Cheaper and easier than DOS-based programs for accounting" Great Plains' Profit 2.0 Again, a good program, but QuickBooks and Peachtree appear to be preferable. PC Computing Magazine comments "Highly structured format is both an asset and a liability" "If you demand GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) compliance, Profit is a safe bet" DAC-EASY is also a suitable small business accounting program.
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