[Resource] Free or Inexpensive Bookkeeping Software

[Wordpro Wizard]

Although I don't want to be a bookkeeper, basic bookkeeping is a service I'd like to offer. I've registered at the local college for certification courses on Quick Books I and II this winter and in the meantime have downloaded QB Simple Start, which is free, to play with (and may be quite sufficient for your own personal business use). There are quite a lot of free or inexpensive programs here http://sx.intel.com/default.aspx.

Lynne

[leedrozak]

Lynne,

Do you have bookkeeping or accounting background and experience? If not I would suggest you take an accounting class or two because you should also know the nuts and bolts of accounting as well as knowledge of the software.

[vainparadise]

I love open source programs! Ck here for open source alts. http://www.osalt.com/ & here is a top 50 list http://tinyurl.com/2xju2m

[mmangen]

Dawn - thanks for posting that link, going to peruse it now as I've been looking for a few specific types of programs and wonder if they have an OpenSource alternative.

[cherylb]

Has anyone used Open Office from Microsoft? Pros and cons, if so? I know it's a freebie but wondering if it's worth learning despite its so-called ease across many other programmes out there.

[mmangen]

I have tried Open Office - I'm not really keen on it but mainly due to my years of working with MS Office.

[cherylb]

I know some people love it, so was wondering. I'm pretty used to MS Office as well, so I anticipate a learning curve. Now that Microsoft can't sell the office software and won't be giving tech support, I wondered if it would be a good idea to switch to Open Office. I don't have a choice at the "job" but I do at home.

I'm slowly getting my ducks in a row, crossing my t's and dotting my i's as I forge forward on this journey of becoming my own boss (again). This time is different tho, because before I was just contracted with some folks that I had a relationship with to solely do their work. Now I wanna make it a "real" business. So, I'm making lists of yea and nay as I forge onward.

[mmangen]

Microsoft isn't selling Office anymore? Wow, I had no idea...guess it's one of those things that since I'm not looking to buy it I didn't know.

So you are just starting your VA business? What will you be specializing in?

[JLRobinson]

I thought they were just blocked from selling Word in the US. MS filed an injunction but I haven't seen anything about the next legal step being resolved yet.

[cherylb]

Yes, I am just beginning to start a "real" VA business. I've done medical transcription and general office work for more years than I care to acknowledge. I've never needed a website or all of the other nuances since I just worked for those that I knew and they kept me busy enough for the most part. Then I decided to go back to a "real" job because I needed health insurance and my main source of income closed his practice. Ugh. I hate it. Nor sure it's worth the price of the insurance. But, I do like being my own boss, so I'm learning what needs to be done to do it right.

[micarter]

I downloaded Open Office and then uninstalled it. It was not easy at all to navigate through. It doen't have many features MSOffice does. I also tried Open Office's version of publisher. Very bad! Had no templates for anything! I was very upset. I can't afford MSOffice right now so I'm just coasting through until I can. Maybe I downloaded an incomplete version or something but as of now I'll sick with MSOffice.

[micarter]

Oh also when I tried to e-mail a document to someone who has word the doc would not open for them. I had to put it in works word processor in order for them it see it.

[mmangen]

Oh yea - emailing the doc to someone with Word - didn't work for me either...forgot about that! Cheryl - welcome to the forum! There are lots of great resources out there for VAs!

If you are on Twitter follow me @mmangen (that is where I spent most of my time!)