Review of Quickbooks Deluxe for Windows

Submitted by Patrick on Sun, 06/10/2007 - 3:31pm.

This was originally published on August 5, 1995.

Anyone who has owned their own business understands that the devil is in the details. If you don't have a competent, detailed accounting package you are in trouble. When you look at accounting packages on the market most are overblown and tough to use. QuickBooks Deluxe on CD-ROM is the answer to this problem!

You may think that shipping an accounting package on CD- ROM is overblown, but QuickBooks Deluxe is, well, deluxe . . . In addition to the main application, QuickBooks for Windows, the CD-ROM includes QuickPay, onscreen documentation, workbooks to help your business, a complete set of IRS publications, a national ZIP code directory, inside tips from the experts and sound clips that walk you through some of the more advanced functions of QuickBooks for Windows. Super additions!

When you install QuickBooks for Windows you are in for a treat! The program assumes you know next to nothing about proper accounting procedures, which is super considering most of us don't know a debit from a voucher! As the installation winds down you are asked what type of business you have. QuickBooks presents a very thorough list of businesses to choose from. My business, computer consulting and freelance writing, were both on the list! If yours isn't on the list you can easily modify one of the standard business types.

As you move through the installation process you'll be prompted for information about your company; QuickBooks uses this information to create your company profile. Once your company profile has been generated you'll be able to move onto the five main areas of QuickBooks: 1) Invoicing, 2) Accounts Receivable, 3) Accounts Payable, 4) Inventory and Purchase Orders and 5) Reports and Graphing.

Invoicing your customers is the bloodline of the business. You need that cash flow to keep your business up and running. Invoicing under QuickBooks is very easy. The first items you need to accomplish is the addition of invoice items. QuickBooks is very generous in the amount of space you can use to describe a part number or service. The second is your list of customers and vendors. This list has enough fields to support addresses, phone and fax numbers.

When you are ready to invoice, QuickBooks lets you choose from three different invoice types based on your business. This is an excellent feature. Many accounting packages only offer one style of invoice. After you choose your style you are ready to complete the invoice information. Every invoice needs to know where it is going and QuickBooks obliges with a field for which customer this invoice is for. Whoa, when you start to type SMITH AND BROTHERS, you notice that QuickBooks fills in the field as soon as you type SMI. Neat feature. You notice that this feature is consistent through out the invoice form including when you detail invoice items.

The Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable sections of QuickBooks are rock solid. Not only are the fields consistently displayed where needed, but the graphical reports you can generate with the information really let you see what areas need attention. What if a customer is late paying? What of you are late paying? QuickBooks will sport a nifty little notice when you start up.

Inventory is one of the worst nightmares a small business can face when selecting an accounting package. QuickBooks uses the invoicing and Purchase Order systems to verify, store and accurately process your inventory. QuickBooks uses the information from all other modules to track inventory. Of course, you can make adjustments on non- sales, etc.

The next part of QuickBooks you'll enjoy using is the reporting feature. Not only does QuickBooks offer ready to run reports on all aspects of your business, but you can easily customize any of these reports for your or your accountant's needs! The graphically reporting function is a little disappointing in that you cannot modify the functionality.

If you are looking for a complete, easy to use accounting package for your small business Look no further than QuickBooks for Windows Deluxe.

QuickBooks for Windows Deluxe Intuit 64 Willow Place POB 3014 Menlo Park, CA 94026 CompuServe: GO INTUIT URL: http://www.careermosaic.com/cm/inuit/