Any one use Peachtree Software?

SeaJay's

SeaJay's

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When I did my LLC back in Feb I was given the Peachtree accounting software for free. I finally was able to download it and mess around and all I can say is I'm completely lost!

Does anyone have any experience using this software?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! The CPA I talked to said that this software isn't as user friendly as say Quickbooks is. I'd really prefer to do my own record keeping, but trying to figure this stuff out is killing me right now!
 
Can't say about Peachtree, but I have used Quickbooks in the past. I have a copy from, like, 1999 when I had Lightwave Creations, but can't imagine that version would be relavent nowadays.

I've currently just been building a database/app from the ground up for Discern and plan on using that. Not done w/ it quit yet, but it should work for me.
 
Sorry man, can't say that I have.

You may be able to create an ad on Craigslist asking to trade "peachtree" training for a quick wash and wax. Don't known if it's worth all that to ya though....
 
We used it until a few years ago and switched to Quickbooks Premiere due to ease of use and upgrade costs.
 
Seems to me I do remember something about a free version of Quickbooks that you could download. Don't remember the exact name of it, but it was Quickbooks, and it looked promising and "good enough" for the basic accounting. If I come accross the name I'll post.
 
I had a feeling that this was the issue I was going to run into with this. The CPA I spoke to said that if you don't have much accounting knowledge then it might be difficult to manage. I got the software for free, so I'm not out any money on it. But I have it and like to be able to use it if I can.

My CPA offered to train me on it, but for $60/hr I'd prefer not to. I messed around with it for a couple hours last night and I'm completely lost. I really just need something simple that I can input my expenses, purchases, etc, and input my sales.

The Peachtree software makes you set up vendors, customers, etc etc...it's very pain staking...
 
I'm somewhat familiar with Peachtree. A CPA and I set it up for a small muni gov't some years ago when I was doing the consulting thing. If you don't have an accounting background, good luck. For very small businesses I recommend Quickbooks. It's easy to learn, even for someone who doesn't know accounting or computers. I've set it up for a few friends. You can get a copy of the Pro version for like 132 bucks from Amazon. Do yourself a favor.
 
HeavyMetal said:
I'm somewhat familiar with Peachtree. A CPA and I set it up for a small muni gov't some years ago when I was doing the consulting thing. If you don't have an accounting background, good luck. For very small businesses I recommend Quickbooks. It's easy to learn, even for someone who doesn't know accounting or computers. I've set it up for a few friends. You can get a copy of the Pro version for like 132 bucks from Amazon. Do yourself a favor.
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Yeah I had a feeling that's what I was going to have to do.

Thanks for the advice heavy!
 
Well, you guy's just answered my question...

Been looking to get an accounting program for my small business recently and wasn't sure which one to go with. Quickbooks it is. Goodluck with Peachtree Jason!
 
A4 1.8tqm said:
Well, you guy's just answered my question...

Been looking to get an accounting program for my small business recently and wasn't sure which one to go with. Quickbooks it is. Goodluck with Peachtree Jason!
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Yeah thanks! I have a feeling I'll be purchasing Quickbooks....
 
I would agree with HeavyMetal.... I'm an accountant (not a cpa) and used to use peachtree. If you dont have an accounting background and dont know the lingo you will be lost. Quickbooks is much more user friendly. Easy to do bank reconciliations, keep track of accounts receivable and write checks from it. The check writing feature will require you to buy specific quickbook approved checks though.
 
mikem0424 said:
I would agree with HeavyMetal.... I'm an accountant (not a cpa) and used to use peachtree. If you dont have an accounting background and dont know the lingo you will be lost. Quickbooks is much more user friendly. Easy to do bank reconciliations, keep track of accounts receivable and write checks from it. The check writing feature will require you to buy specific quickbook approved checks though.
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Well I won't be writing checks through whatever accounting software I use. I already have checks for my business through my bank. I just basically need software to track all my expenses and profits, maybe something I can print invoices from etc. I just think the Peachtree software is over my head.

I don't need to be spending hours on end trying to keep my books clean. Something that is more user friendly is probably the way I need to go.
 
SeaJay's said:
Yeah thanks! I have a feeling I'll be purchasing Quickbooks....
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FWIW I was reading a write up from the Author of the "for Dummies" books on these programs. Looks like Quicken is very simple, good for service based companies who don't carry inventory. Quickbooks will also take care of stuff like payroll, inventory and automates some stuff. Then Peachtree provides so much "control" that nobody can figure the damn thing out.

Link-

Quicken vs. QuickBooks: Accounting Software Training: Stephen Nelson, CPA Accountant

exerpt-

If you think about these tasks and then the requirements of your business, it's pretty easy to choose the winner in a "Quicken vs. QuickBooks" competition.

For all practical purposes, Quicken produces only two business forms: checks and invoices. This means that it doesn't work for businesses that own inventory. But Quicken works really well for service businesses—especially small service businesses.

If you need more forms—customer receipts, purchase orders, customer statements that show finance charges, and so on—you need QuickBooks. Also, if you need to use accrual based accounting to accurately measure your business profits or you need to keep detailed records of what the business owns and what it owes, you need QuickBooks.

Finally, if you need to keep detailed records of anything besides cash, you need QuickBooks. QuickBooks, for example, includes an inventory feature and a fixed asset.
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As someone who has supported Peachtree Accounting, I say go with Quickbooks.

I have only used the actual Peachtree program for database management/sharing but even THAT was a pain in the arse.

Quickbooks is both much easier to use and much easier to network and share :props:
 
Seajay,

Don't be disappointed. I realize that for a small business even just $132 is an expenditure you don't look forward to making. However, once you get into Quickbooks and see all it can do with inventory, invoices, payroll (if you have it), P&L, etc., you're gonna be glad you bought it. You'll save yourself far more than the 132 in time, aggravation and numbers for income tax. The small businesses I've set it up for love it.
 
HeavyMetal said:
Seajay,

Don't be disappointed. I realize that for a small business even just $132 is an expenditure you don't look forward to making. However, once you get into Quickbooks and see all it can do with inventory, invoices, payroll (if you have it), P&L, etc., you're gonna be glad you bought it. You'll save yourself far more than the 132 in time, aggravation and numbers for income tax. The small businesses I've set it up for love it.
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Thanks! It's frustrating that they give away this free software for small business' yet it's so in depth and over the top that it can't really be used by your average joe.

Oh well, $132 isn't too bad and I'll probably end up sucking it up and getting it. As long as it makes my life easier!
 
HeavyMetal said:
AH, the wonders of cross-site marketing.
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Have to love it! I would be really curious to see how many people never end up using the software they give you and end up going out to buy something else. I bet it's a lot.
 
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