1. Why is QuickBooks right for me?
"I hate paying bills," grumbled Signe Ostby, as her husband, Scott Cook, browsing a business journal, sat nearby to keep her company. "This has got to be one of the most tedious, repetitive tasks around."
Her words penetrated and he began to mull over his wife's complaint.
Cook realised that a software program could easily handle the repetitive, numerical and standardised tasks involving in paying bills and maintaining cheque registers. And he had a hunch that such a program might become very popular.
He did some more research which confirmed a consistent set of customer problems; too much time spent on three main activities; paying bills, maintaining a cheque register and periodically totalling and reviewing expenditures.
Tom Proulx, a programmer at Stanford University, was brought onboard. He and Cook insisted their software trimed time off these three basic tasks. The feature set would be minimal, but the execution had to be excellent.
After extensive testing with small businesses and programming refinements made to streamline the experience, finally the software was ready
for market.
It was an instant hit. Now, over 20 years later, it's been consistently optimised to handle all book-keeping tasks quickly and easily.
Scott Cook and Tom Proulx developed the software for business - now known as QuickBooks - in response to the problems of real small businesses like yours. They designed QuickBooks to give you the one thing you can't buy: time.
2. How can I make the most of QuickBooks?
All QuickBooks small business book-keeping software packages feature easy to follow guidance about how to get started and get going.
- EasyStep Interview asks you simple questions about your business then stores that information so you can set up all your company files in no time
- Resource Area is a one-stop help shop. For support, training tools, product updates or information about related services, wherever you want to go the Resource Area will point you in the right direction
QuickBooks book-keeping software is all about ease of use in small business accounting but if you'd like the reassurance of support, we recommend the QuickBooks eXceed Support package. QuickBooks eXceed Support is a dynamic combination of online and telephone support for all QuickBooks users. When you join the eXceed Support community you will discover a wealth of information and assistance, which will enable you to get the most out of QuickBooks. At the eXceed Support website you can chat online to other customers, post messages and view the most frequently asked questions. You will find hints and tips, online training, a currency converter, and even a financial year planner.
eXceed Support membership will also give you exclusive access to our Data Recovery service (additional costs apply). This is a vital component of our support, designed to combat the escalating number of computer viruses, any one of which could wipe out your business accounts. Information is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. eXceed Support experts are also on hand during office hours (9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday) to answer your queries and help solve your problems.
eXceed Support features:
- Unlimited telephone support during office hours
- Instant messaging during office hours, for immediate technical support
- Desktop sharing - can't explain your issue? Call our support team and we'll control your mouse and show you what to do!**
- One plan supports all - an eXceed Support plan is company specific so all QuickBooks book-keeping software and services (Small Business
Payroll and QuickBooks Customer Manager) are supported and so are all users of those products!
- Data recovery - for your peace of mind*
- Password removal*
eXceed website features:
- Live chat - learn how other small businesses operate financially, share knowledge and network
- Training - online training, feature demonstrations and walk-throughs
- Tools - currency converters, financial year calendars and much more
- Support - online technical support, with frequently asked questions and help on getting started
IMPORTANT
If you upgrade your book-keeping software package, you do not need to change your support plan until it is due for renewal. If you upgrade from Regular to Pro - your Regular eXceed plan can be used to support the Pro product until renewal date. Without a live eXceed Support membership you will not have access to data recovery or to password removal.
* Additional fees apply, ** Broadband Internet connection required.
3. How can QuickBooks help me with Payroll?
QuickBooks is about speed and ease of use, leaving you more time to grow your business. And QuickBooks grows with your business too. If and when you employ full time staff, you can take the pain out of your payroll service with QuickBooks Small Business Payroll software.
Simple and safe HMRC accredited Small Business Payroll software
QuickBooks Small Business Payroll software shares the same values as every other QuickBooks software package - designed for small businesses and easy to use. QuickBooks Small Business Payroll is so easy to use because it guides you intuitively through every step of every payroll activity.
With full accreditation from HM Revenue & Customs, QuickBooks Small Business Payroll software meets all of the published payroll standards and relevant quality standards, it also incorporates the capability for you to file your End of Year Returns online. You can now take advantage of the tax free incentives offered by the Government and claim back up to £325! **
Using QuickBooks integrated Small Business Software means that you can keep all your financial information in one place. Run Small Business Payroll and your QuickBooks accounting is updated simultaneously!
Do you need QuickBooks Small Business Payroll? If you answer 'Yes' to these 5 questions, you do!
1. Do you have employees?
2. Do you need a cost effective way of calculating employees' pay and recording the costs in your accounting software?
3. Do you use timesheet data to create payroll payments?
4. Do you want an easy way stay compliant with the ever changing payroll rules and regulations?
5. Do you want to claim up to £325 ** back from the government for your payroll expenses?
- Safe, Secure and Accurate - HMRC accredited software. *
- E-file compatible - file your end of year payroll reports online and claim up to £325** back from HMRC.
- Automated - Calculates all additions and deductions like Employers Pension Contributions and Income Tax.
- Integrated - Payroll information seamlessly updates your company accounts and BACS software. ^
- Issue Payslips - automatically batch print payslips.
- Compliant - easily and quickly view and pay what you owe to the HMRC.
- Small Employers Relief - automatically calculated for you to make sure you claim your entitlement.
- Official Forms - Print P14/P60 and P45s on HMRC forms. #
- Designed for you - process payroll for up to 100 employees per company file and multiple companies.
- Free Updates - includes legislative updates during your subscription period.
- Free subscription to the QuickBooks Small Business Payroll email newsletters - each is packed with essential information to get you through Year End with confidence.
* Annual subscription to QuickBooks Small Business Payroll applies. Applicable to mainland UK only.
** Submit your payroll Year End returns to HMRC online and you qualify for Government incentives worth £150 in the first year (06/07) and up to
£325 over three years (£325 rebate is available to companies with 1-50 employees only).
^ e-Payment Solutions is a separate subscription service which allows you to pay your employees using BACS. No additional hardware required.
# Laser mailer portrait only.
4. Can QuickBooks be used by more than one staff member simultaneously?
As your company grows, it's likely you'll have several people who need access to your company's financial accounting and book-keeping files at the same time. That's why QuickBooks Pro 2006 and QuickBooks Accountant 2006 come with an optional multi-user licence.
Multi-user licence
Multi-user mode lets up to 5 people work with your company financial accounting and book-keeping files at the same time. They can be entering data or accessing reports simultaneously and the actions of one user are immediately available to them all, providing real-time information whenever it's needed (requires one licence of QuickBooks Pro or Accountant per user.)
5. How can QuickBooks help me present my company more professionally?
When money is on the line, it's important that your company always presents a professional image. With Intuit QuickBooks small business software you'll have access to a huge range of standard and personalised forms and cheques to suit all your business requirements.
Whatever your needs, Business Stationery Direct, the official supplier of QuickBooks Business Stationery, ensures that you'll always receive the highest levels of service.
Now you can personalise your forms and cheques - with the guarantee that everything will fit your software - and that's a money-back guarantee! As well as saving time managing both your business and your personal finances, you'll also benefit from:
Fast delivery - personalised forms will be delivered within 6 working days from approval of your proof Seamless integration with your QuickBooks small business book-keeping and accounting software. Your satisfaction is guaranteed In the very unlikely event that you are not completely satisfied with your order, we'll credit, reprint or refund without delay.
Find out more about stationery for QuickBooks.
6. Does QuickBooks enable me to take advantage of e-Payment solutions?
QuickBooks has teamed up with leading BACS solutions provider Bottomline Technologies to provide a simple, efficient, and secure system - QuickBooks e-Payment Solutions - to help you pay your employees and suppliers electronically.
QuickBooks e-Payment Solutions enables you to transfer money automatically from your bank account to recipients based upon the payroll or bill payment information you have entered into QuickBooks. It is the only BACS solution that works directly from QuickBooks.
- 30 day free trial
- No application fees
- No upfront deposits
- No minimum monthly volume commitments
- No investment in additional software or security applications
- Low monthly fees - £9.99 for up to 100 transactions per month
- Find out more about how easy it is to pay by BACS
7. Does QuickBooks enable me process leading credit and debit cards?
QuickBooks has teamed up with leading online payments specialist WorldPay (part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group) to provide a simple, efficient and secure system - QuickBooks Card Solutions - to help online payment processing by businesses.
WorldPay enables thousands of businesses to accept payments on the internet, by phone, fax or mail. Credit cards, debit cards and instalments - in any language and most currencies, and all through one merchant account and one payment processing system.
QuickBooks Card Solutions enables you to process payments via credit or debit card and record them in QuickBooks. It is the only card payment solution that works directly from QuickBooks.
For further information about all the benefits card processing would bring to your business, or to subscribe to QuickBooks Card Solutions today, go to www.worldpay.com/quickbooks/
