Accounting software

that is not quickbooks

[grnidone]

I was going to purchase quickbooks to keep accounting records for a business, but found that the only one available for the Macintosh is several years old. Quickbooks may not make an upgrade.

I simply don't use my PC enough to warrant using the MS version, and if Quickbooks insists I have to, well then, I will look elsewhere.

Has anyone used the applications from AppGen? It is an accounting system for Unix systems.

I also looked at MYOB's AccountEdge for the Macintosh, but it is a bit on the pricey side.

Any suggestions?
-G

[john316]

You could probably make your own system using Filemaker Pro, they have a lot of ready to run templates that you could modify or if you have an accounting head, you could tailor one. I believe they have a 30 day trial download.

I have found Filemaker to be invaluable for a wide range of purposes.

[Macguru]

I develop FileMaker Pro apps. I will not recommend it to someone looking for a fast and cheap accounting software replacement. Making or costumising your own system on either FM or AppGen can take a lot of time.

I would recommend those for people already familiar with the environnement for v market developpement.
If you want to link bar code readers to inventory and orderforms or publish a online catalog then FM is good candidate.
Getting used to the current version of FM take some time and the statement that any one can costumise templates in a day is very optimistic. The demo version will alow you a maximum of 50 records and the real version costs around 200$.

You also can have pretty good accounting templates in XL.

Unfortunatly, I have no software package to recommend for a replacement.

[scott]

I've looked at a number of them for the PC and one thing I come away with which may apply to the Mac as well is that none of the other leaders in accounting software come close to Quickbooks' user friendliness. Personally, I have problems with quickbooks in that it doesn't really support a manufacturing type business, which is why I went looking for an alternative.

Being not very well versed in accounting, I found the others to be very difficult to use, and I got lost frequently in them.

[TallTroll]

I know a bit about the accounts software market (mostly UK perspective, but it translates reasonably well), and I suspect you'll find that even entry level packaged products cost at least $100 on PC platform. Even really basic accounts software is surprisingly complex, and there is constant pressure to comply with current legislation (complicated enough here with only one set; in the US you have to comply with state AND Federal requirements)

Mostly it comes down to biting the bullet and coughing up for a pacakged solution, or writing your own (with all the pain that entails)

You can find free packages, but they tend to be PC only, and single user, with limited functionality, stiff upgrade costs, and be very badly supported. If you aren't an accountant it can be hard going. Hey, its free, whaddaya expect?

You can find Mac stuff, but its kinda like gold dust (very limited market share of a/c s/ware market)