QuickBooks 2003 Pro

• Platform:   Windows 2000 / Me / NT / 98 / XP
• Media: CD-ROM
• Item Quantity: 1

If you're putting the financial management of your business in someone's hands, you need to trust them. QuickBooks, in a decade of yearly updates, has notched up five million sales worldwide. It's tried, it's tested, and people keep coming back for more. The big selling point is that not only does the software offer a complete accounting solution but it is stunningly easy to use.

QuickBooks 2003 Pro is the version "for growing businesses". The entry-level QuickBooks 2003 Regular lets you track your cash, bank and credit card accounts; manage accounts receivable and payable; generate and manage invoices; even set up merchant services for online credit card payments from customers. Pro is twice the price but really bolts on the extras. Firstly, it's set up for up to five users, a feature that dovetails nicely with its inventory tools. A larger company might have one PC running QuickBooks in the office, another in warehousing, another in dispatch and so on. As goods are ordered, sent to the customer, paid for, and so on, the information is remotely updated but centrally logged. You begin to see benefits in tighter stock control, buying of replacement stock, not to mention chasing payments. Add to that tools for time tracking and job costing and you see the truth in the boast on the box, that Pro is about "more than just bookkeeping".

Setting up is easy, even for those of us who hate figures. The software 'interviews' you, gleaning information about your business--number of employees, pricing structure, customer details and the rest – and making sure nothing is missed.

Those moving from earlier versions will find new features aplenty. There is more sophisticated breakdown of income and expenses; the package is now fully integrated with Microsoft Word and Excel; and there is a facility for online backing up and archiving of data. But the most compelling features are the strategic tools--the ability to create a proper budget, inventory assembly, the costing and tracking features. As well as giving your accountant his P45, you may find you're starting to think about and plan the future of your firm for the first time in a long time. --John Rennie

Manufacturer's Description
QuickBooks Pro 2003 includes everything in QuickBooks Basic, plus advanced tools for managing your business finances. Includes estimating, time tracking, integration with over 100 business applications, and is multi-user capable for up to 5 simultaneous users. Also includes many new and improved features include more professional form design templates, more form customisation options, budgeting, enhanced class tracking, and improved data back up options.

• Software > Business & Office > Finance & Accounting > Accounting