Microsoft Makes Keeping the Books Easy
Office Small Business Accounting 2006 integrates nicely with Microsoft Office.
Richard Morochove
Microsoft's $179 (single-user) Office Small Business Accounting 2006 is rich with easy-to-understand flowcharts that help guide nonaccountants in using it. The software is designed to meet the needs of small businesses with up to 25 employees and five accounting users--the same market now served by Intuit's QuickBooks and Best Software's Peachtree Accounting.
I looked at Microsoft's shipping version and found it to be a capable program. SBA's strength rests in its ties to the customer relationship management features found in the updated version of Microsoft Outlook 2003 with Business Contact Manager. Both SBA and the updated Outlook are included in Microsoft Office Small Business Management Edition 2006 (if your version of Office lacks BCM for Outlook, you'll need to buy it).
Business Contact Manager lets sales reps create quotes and start the order process; Word can customize accounting forms, while Excel can transfer financial data.
SBA, in turn, tracks sales, customer accounts receivable, disbursements, and vendor accounts payable, along with banking and financial reporting. Basic paycheck preparation is included, too.
SBA is a logical step up if you now use an Excel spreadsheet to keep your books.
Richard Morochove
Superb integration with Microsoft Office distinguishes this handy small-business accounting app.
List: $179 (single-user license)
Current prices (if available)
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