I'm almost done creating my website and now I'd like to focus on looking into all the software I will need to properly run a VA business. I made a list but I feel like I may be overlooking something. Aside from MS Office, this is my list for software I will need:

Bookkeeping
Billing & Invoicing
Time Tracking
Project Management
Transcription


Am I forgetting anything?

For bookkeeping, billing and invoicing, I recommend QuickBooks.

I use my own spreadsheet for time tracking but I know there are quite a few recommendations on VAF for more 'formal' software.

We just started using ClockingIt (www.clockingit.com) at my 9-5 and really like it.

Again, you will get lots of suggestions for transcription software on VAF.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Thanks for the suggestions. I just want to make sure that I'm searching for everything I need. I definitely need some kind of time tracking software. I wouldn't trust myself to just put in accurate times into a spreadsheet lol.

Do you use Quickbooks online or have the software installed on your computer? I just realized the software is $230 as opposed to paying $13 for the online version. I'm thinking to try it online first and if I hate it I can move on to something else.

P.S. Ideally I'd like to find a comprehensive software package that can do most of what I'm looking for in one software so that I'm not using all kinds of different software.

I use the installed version of QuickBooks because it has more functionality than the online. QuickBooks Simple Start is available in a free version that will handle all of the basic bookkeeping needs you have as a start-up. If you can't find it online, PM me with your email address and I'll send you the QBSS 2010 .exe file.

QB Pro does have time tracking built into it, I just personally don't like it. My spreadsheet is pretty basic and simple and you can click a buttons on your keyboard to have Excel enter the time based on your computer's clock.

I read on this forum that Freshbooks is more comprehensive and may have all of the features you want but I'm not familiar with the software.

I like the online PM management since I can set it up for my clients to login and upload/download files and ask me questions.

I also read that ExpressScribe is an excellent transcription solution.

Hope all this helps.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I use Paymo for project-management which includes time tracking capabilities. You may also want to download Skype if you haven't done so already as it is a great way to communicate with your clients (and saves pennies as well!). You will need a good billing program as well. Since I live in Spain I use other software but for one client I do use Quickbooks .

Some things are trial and error and as you receive new projects you'll find you will have to look for new software anyway.

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Sabrina L. Williams
For a bird's eye view of your business

This is great! I am in the process of setting up my office and all these recommendations are great. Don't know if this was already covered but what about opensource software?

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Mae Smith - Owner of eOffice Business Solutions
Your excellent, efficient, economical partner in business support services!

Originally Posted by eOfficeBusinessSolutions

Don't know if this was already covered but what about opensource software?

Because my clients tend to use MS Office products, I stick to them as well. I have both a PC and a Mac that I use for client work. I love opensource software and use quite a bit of it for personal use but rarely for my clients.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Do you mean like OpenOffice? I guess it depends on your needs. Thankfully as a student I got to purchase Office Professional Plus 2010 for less than $80 through my school, so I'm going to skip open office. What other open source software were you thinking about?

Bookkeeping - try WAVE or OUTRIGHT for other options

My billing, time tracking + invoicing is integrated into the project management system I use (INTERVALS) but since their invoices do not have a handy link allowing folks to pay with PayPal, I send out my invoices through BILLING BOSS.

You'll also want to consider what you're going to use in case of hard drive failure. Something like Carbonite is easy and affordable.

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indulging entrepreneurs with the gift of time & money via nonpareil support.

I have found that peachtree comes complete with billing, time management and crm. It is a bit pricey but Its a one stop shop and is very popular with most businesses.