"The easy accounting solution for photographers"- good?

<p>My bookkeeping is pretty sad, but I've only been doing a small amount of business for less than a year. I tried Quickbooks and found it not to work so well for me. I figure there has to be a solution for ME out there, so if you've had similar issues with Quickbooks, can you recommend something else? <br>

More specifically, I found this deal on PhotoDough (1/2 price, check it out!) for <a href="http://photo.theeasyaccountingsolution.com/">"the easy accounting solution for photographers"</a>, and I figured I would at least try it out (you only get a couple of days). It seems pretty intuitive to me, unlike Quickbooks, so I'm interested. I just want confirmation from other people who have used it. I can't seem to find much on reviews for it.</p>

 

<p>I can't say anything specifically about the company, but any business that hides its identity as well as they do should cause concern. They have an essentially anonymous domain name, they provide no information on who they are or their address on their web site, and just seem to be pretty hidden. There's no reason for this if they are legit.</p>

<p>I run my businesses on Microsoft Dynamics, but the advantage of Quickbooks is that you can upload your transactions to almost any accountant. I just had a complex chart of accounts with so many diverse businesses, and Quickbooks didn't handle it was well as the Microsoft system (formerly Great Plains, I think).</p>

<p>Tracie, given what Jeff said, I bet there even are places in PhotoDough for you to enter your bank account number, SSN, etc.</p>

<p>;-)</p>

<p>Tom M</p>

<p>What about an actual book? You know, the type made of paper where you write on it with some sort of stick like device!</p>

<p>If you're not doing a lot of business then there's no need to over-complicate it.</p>

<p>Tracie, as Steve Smith says but we don't live in the dark ages (no offence intended Steve ;) so what about just using a spreadsheet? You can find templates online. What you don't get of course are the extra features like analysis and graphs.. but do you need them.</p>

<p>If you used a simple spreasheet you could probably fairly easily import the data into an accounts package at a later date if need be.</p>

<p>Bryan</p>

<p>Tracie, could you tell us what issues you have with Quickbooks. Could maybe give you more input if we knew what your specific problems are.</p>

<p>Okay, I'll be the cynic here. Considering that in the 10 months since the OP registered, she hasn't posted a single question, comment or photo, and in light of Jeff's analysis, could this "I had a problem with that, but then I found THIS. Check it out!" post possibly be SPAM?</p>

<p>Spammers don't have legitimate photo websites, or use legitimate email. While it's always a possibility, it's not the case here.</p>

<p>Hmmm, well, I appreciate some of your comments. ;)<br>

Phil, I have to address the fact that I am not posting spam, although I did wonder if it would come across as such. I honestly did want to share the deal, if it happened to be a good one. Plus, I have posted questions, if you look a little harder. :) Thanks for the back up on that, Jeff. <br>

All I can really remember about Quickbooks is that it felt overwhelming for me, with too many options that didn't apply to my business. And while, paper and pencil does appeal to me, as does a simple spreadsheet, I think that I need something a little more to point me in the right direction.<br>

I played around with the easy accounting solution for photographers a little more last night, and it was pretty simple. You just fill in fields that a photographer would typically have. As a beginner and especially as a photographer, it seems to fit a lot better.<br>

However, aside from Quickbooks, I haven't dealt with other programs like this. That's what I'm here for... opinions on this program or on other programs that handle simple book keeping/ accounting (preferably specifically for photographers). </p>

<p>I see it is a web hosted application where there is some risk that over time their business could fail and possibly leave you without access to their program and your data. In their frequently asked questions, they give a support email, but no telephone number, though they represent that it is normal for them to email you back within 24 hours with an answer to a support question.</p>

<p>Considering what Jeff said "They have an essentially anonymous domain name, they provide no information on who they are or their address on their web site, and just seem to be pretty hidden. There's no reason for this if they are legit." And that you expose your financial life in some degree to them, as Tom said. Can't talk to them on the telephone apparently. I may be old fashioned, but I wouldn't be comfortable with them. There are Quickbooks specialists that could help you set up Quickbooks, your accountant may be one or able to recommend someone.</p>

<p>How about Wave Accounting? I am sure there are other cloud based accounting that are good but this one is free.</p>

<p>The return info from WHOIS is not reassuring at all. If you want to check, their IP address is <a href="http://cqcounter.com/traceroute/?query=69.72.135.3">69.72.135.3</a> <br>

Also, look carefully at the domain name (http://photo.theeasyaccountingsolution.com/) and you will see that you are sending your financial information to a nonsecured server; if it were a secure server the site address would start with https:// instead of http://<br>

That's enough to keep me off their website right there.</p>

<p>Apologies Tracie. I swear that is not the information I saw when I first clicked on your name. Or I'm just getting old. Carry on.</p>

<p>No worries, Phil. <br>

I hadn't considered that since it's web hosted, it could fail. Or that it's a nonsecured server.<br>

HC Lim, I'm off to check out Wave Accounting. <br>

Thanks for your help everyone.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>All I can really remember about Quickbooks is that it felt overwhelming for me</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Depending on how long ago you looked at QuickBooks, it, and other accounting systems, have become much more user friendly, and more graphical. They are much easier to set up, and easier to find what you are looking for. My suggestions would be that whichever system you end up with (assuming you use an accountant), have them show you what you need to know to give them the information they need.</p>

Hi Tracie,

I have used quickbooks both on a professional level and personal for my photography business. You can setup your chart of accounts, vendors and expenses anyway you like. There are alot of expenses, and accounts I don't use. Just modify the program to your needs it takes time but worth it in the end. Regards Carol

<p>Thanks everyone!<br>

This is related, so I might as well ask since it's been mentioned a lot already... Do I need to have an accountant first? I always just assumed I should have everything organized to take into an accountant when the time came. Again, my business is very slow and I don't have a lot to keep up with yet. I don't know if that makes a difference.</p>

<p>Hello,<br>

My name is Lorena and I am co-owner of The Easy Accounting Solution. <br>

I would like to address a few of your concerns...<br>

My business partner and I are both work from home moms and we feel for our safety it is best that we don't have our addresses listed publicly. Years ago this wouldn't have been an issue, but our society is scary. If we list our phone numbers.... well then you have instant access to our addresses. Our customer service is one of our highest priorities and we are regularily praised for it.<br>

As for security... we have no access to your account or to your information. As for anyone else hacking into your account there is no information that they could gain, that they couldn't gain from googling your name. There is no bank account information, no credit card information, or anything else stored or even entered into the system.<br>

<blockquote>

<p>My business partner and I are both work from home moms and we feel for our safety it is best that we don't have our addresses listed publicly.. If we list our phone numbers.... well then you have instant access to our addresses.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It's easy for a business to get an address at a local mailbox store and tie a cheap mobile phone (which can then be forwarded) to the address. I do this. Frankly, this is a totally lame excuse.</p>