| With any good luck and a good amount of hard | | | | solution like QuickBooks Pro or Peachtree |
| work, you're having the same problem many | | | | Accounting for functions like payroll reporting and |
| business owners today are facing. Your business | | | | check producing. Each piece of software has its |
| is growing rapidly and you're having problems | | | | advantages, but don't forget that QuickBooks has |
| controlling your finances. Time and time again, that | | | | been the standard in business accounting |
| Microsoft Excel spreadsheet you've been using | | | | software for many years now. As for features |
| just isn't getting the job done for you. | | | | and basic operations, both applications will provide |
| So, you've decided that you're ready to take the | | | | you the same functionality and convenience for |
| next step, and buy a full-featured accounting | | | | your business. |
| software program. Many options are available to | | | | One additional factor to consider in your decision is |
| choose from, but I believe the best solutions to | | | | that Peachtree Accounting is less expensive than |
| be Quicken Premier Home and Business by Intuit, | | | | QuickBooks. Both starter versions of Peachtree |
| QuickBooks Pro also by Intuit, and Peachtree | | | | and QuickBooks are priced at $99.95 each, but |
| Accounting by Sage. In order to decide on the | | | | the full-featured version of Peachtree is priced at |
| right package for you, you need define the type | | | | only $199.95 while the full-featured QuickBooks |
| of business that you operate. | | | | Pro is priced at $299.95. |
| With the rise of self-employment (businesses with | | | | At the end of the day, the biggest advantage |
| one or more owners but no paid employees) a | | | | QuickBooks offers over Peachtree is compatibility |
| need has arisen to manage business and personal | | | | with other applications. For example, most |
| finances on one platform. Intuit has released | | | | commercial banks (Bank of America, |
| Quicken 2005 Premier Home and Business to fill | | | | SunTrust,etc...) provide you with files designed to |
| this need. This software is perfect for the small | | | | work directly with QuickBooks, so that you can |
| business owner who receives income from | | | | read, study, and decipher transaction details. Also, |
| investments, real estate, and/or internet | | | | some banks will allow you to update account |
| marketing. Also, Quicken 2005 Premier Home and | | | | information in real-time with QuickBooks. Check |
| Business is well priced at only $89.95. | | | | with your bank to see what accounting software |
| For more typical brick-and-mortar business | | | | their online services support, and you should be |
| owners, you will usually need a more robust | | | | able to make your decision. |