What Accounting Software Should I Use?
QuickBooks and Sage solutions are stable options for any business when it comes to business and accounting management. However, there are key differences that set them apart. Depending on your business needs and your plans for the future, either choice could lead to easy accounting or trouble. We at ALL-PRO Business & Bookkeeping Corp. do all the bookkeeping jobs necessary, so your accountant can file the corporate taxes on time. As experts in the field, we want to help you figure out which accounting software your company needs. This is why we have written down the pros and cons of two accounting management software, QuickBooks and Sage.
QuickBooks
As with any other accounting management tool, QuickBooks has its pros and cons. According to a user survey, people reported the following advantages and disadvantages to using Quickbooks.
Pros
Efficient
Easy-to-use
Flexible with third-party applications
Good accounting options
Affordable price
Money management and financial reporting features
Automatic synchronization with bank accounts
Full suite of bookkeeping tools
Cloud support options
Cons
System occasionally crashes
Lacks certain key reports for outside accounting
Lacks some business and industry-specific features, such as barcode scanning, eCommerce, and lot tracking
File-size issues
Limited number of users allowed
Limited personalization options
If you are considering leasing or purchasing QuickBooks, you can feel assured that the program is user-friendly and comes with many options for small business owners. However, inventory management can be a weakness, which is problematic for businesses with robust inventory management needs. Users are also limited in the degree of personalization options for invoices, and project management is lacking. Therefore, other programs may work better if your business requires a program with collaboration options between employees. If you prioritize a program that offers simple ease of use, QuickBooks is a great option.
Types of businesses and industries that use QuickBooks
Legal services
Medical services
Accounting
Retail
Self-employed freelancers
Small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs)
Sage
Sage is a more advanced form of accounting software than QuickBooks, and it goes beyond basic bookkeeping features. The following are the notable pros and cons of using this program.
Pros
Expense tracking
Cloud-based project management
Personalized invoices and quotes
Collaboration between multiple users on a single project
A variety of plans, addressing basic accounting needs to advanced project management services
Cons
Not as user-friendly as other accounting programs
Difficult to set up and not as easy to incorporate into your business as other programs,
Sage is an advanced accounting program that gives users more choices when it comes to personalization and job estimations. It is also suited for project management, allowing collaboration between users. It may not be as easy to master as other programs, but it can grow with your business better than more basic software.
Types of Businesses and Industries that use Sage
Wholesale distribution
Construction
Non-profits
Manufacturing
How to decide if QuickBooks or Sage is right for my business
Sage is a cloud-based program that specializes in project management, offering an array of invoicing features. QuickBooks is easier to use and is best classified as a bookkeeping program that provides several automatic syncing features between your business and your bank accounts. Therefore, they are both applicable for business use, so deciding which one you should purchase depends on your business needs.
When deciding between QuickBooks and Sage, there are multiple things to consider.
We recommend that you answer the following questions as you decide between the two.
Q: Do you have more than one employee collaborate on a project?
A: If you answer yes, Sage is better suited for you.
Q: Do you carry a large inventory and need to track many products?
A: If you answer yes, Sage is better suited to handle a robust inventory.
Q: Do you want your invoices and estimates personalized with your business logo?
A: If you answer yes, then Sage offers more options for you.
Q: Do you need a program that can easily be learned by your employees?
A: If you answer yes, then QuickBooks is best suited as its user-friendly style, and synchronization with bank accounts make using and picking this system up easier than more advanced programs.
Q: Do you have a small business?
A: If you answer yes, then QuickBooks is likely best suited for your needs, but Sage may also do.
Things to keep in mind
Although Sage and QuickBooks Online each have their merits, they also have differences that make them better suited for certain types of businesses.
With two simple and low-cost software options, Sage is perhaps best for sole proprietorships and very small businesses, namely those who need basic bookkeeping and accounting functionality and don’t require additional advanced tools or features.
On the other hand, as one of the top accounting solutions on the market, QuickBooks Online has more to offer and, therefore, is probably best suited for small and medium-sized businesses that can afford to pay the higher monthly fee in order to receive the extent of functionality that QuickBooks provides.
Takeaway
Everything being said, you know your business best, so the ultimate decision is up to you. If you still can’t decide between Sage vs. QuickBooks, however, you might consider this small business accounting tip, sign up for one of the free 30-day trials both providers offer and test out their respective platforms for yourself. This way, you’ll have a better sense of which will work for you.
Just like each employee has unique skills and interests, each business is equally different. So, ultimately it’s up to you to browse through each catalog of products, consider what tools you need to run your business more efficiently, and see which options will be the best fit to help you reach your goals.
If you have any QuickBooks or Sage product-specific questions, we recommend speaking with a representative at Intuit (QuickBooks) or contacting Sage directly. You can also reach out to ALL-PRO Business & Bookkeeping Corp. to speak with a QuickBooks pro-advisor or Sage Solutions provider to discuss your options. We would be more than happy to set you up for success.
If you are looking for a bookkeeper in Calgary, reach out to us at ALL-PRO Business & Bookkeeping Corp.. We have over twenty-five years of experience in bookkeeping, servicing entrepreneurs, and small to medium-sized business owners in many different fields. We customize our services to suit your needs, whether your business requires weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, or annual bookkeeping service. Our goal is to ensure your needs are met! We offer services like all accounting functions to year-end, remittances for payroll and GST, job costing/class coding, and payroll services. Our services are extended to clients across British Columbia, Golden, Revelstoke, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Kelowna, Penticton, Fernie, Cranbrook, Nelson, Alberta, Airdrie, Chestermere, Crossfield, Carstairs, Innisfail, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Strathmore, Black Diamond, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, Turner Valley, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Brooks, Saskatchewan, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon, Manitoba, Brandon, and Winnipeg.
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