[Noisebridge-discuss] accounting software / websites

[Ben Brown]

 As much as I hate to say it, Quickbooks has done pretty much all of
that for us (Canadian version anyway). I like to think we've saved a
huge amount of time using a real accounting package from day one as
opposed to spreadsheets. You don't even need the latest, you can still
download bank transactions and the like with the older QB versions (we
originally used QB2006 when we started last year). Any business who's
been using QB+payroll will have old versions they can't use anymore
because they can't get payroll updates for them. I realize it's a
windows-only solution, but that's what Virtualbox is for ;)

We did look at other (open source) options like GNUcash and LedgerSMB,
but we were also wanted something that local bookkeepers were familiar
with in case we needed their expertise for anything. If there is ever a
open-source hackerspace-centric accounting/management package, I'd be
happy to check it out. Until then, I'll stick with what works out of the
box.

For what it's worth!
Ben

On 10/5/2010 7:47 PM, Kelly wrote:
> Wherein you are invited to disclose your opinions on things you will
> never take any action on yourself! A rare Noisebridge opportunity!
>
> Here's the deal:
> I, your new treasurer, already hate xero.com (our current bookkeeping
> system). I'm planning to finish out 2010 using xero, but I'll have a
> good 9 months of 2011 to look forward to, and they could be accounting
> bliss. That's the fantasy.
>
> Here are features we need:
> -import and reconcile transactions from Wells Fargo, Paypal & Square.
> -keep repeating invoices for membership dues and an option to have the
> member invoiced automatically via email.
> -some smart suggestions to reconcile incoming transactions with their
> matching invoices (xero is betarded at this. It searches only by
> amount, not by name and amount)
> -custom categories for flagging transactions as various types of
> expenses and income to make taxes easier
> -some reasonably convenient way to output data (graphs and reports
> would be nice, but good clean csv files would do. I can matplotlib
> that shit.)
> -clear tracking of unpaid invoices
> -reasonably forgiving and customizable system (i.e. xero won't let you
> delete invoices once created, you can only mark them invalid. Not A
> Feature.)
> -generate receipts easily
> -web-based or linux-compatible local app. Some sort of remote data
> storage and ability to access from multiple machines is required.
>
> Here are features that would make me especially super happy:
> -direct access to the full details of paypal or square transactions
> (i.e. notes to the payee, etc)
> -really smart algorithms for invoice reconciliation, alteration and
> deletion (i.e. delete invoices for this member during these dates or
> change the invoice amount on individual invoices without affecting
> repeating invoices)
> -an interface which isn't bleeding edge flash that trips up in Linux.
>
> Ideas?
>
> -Kelly
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