http://www.getcashboard.com

Yes, I could acquire a product such as MS Money for £100, and then £100 the next year and £100 the year after, where as FreeAgent’s subscription model means upgrades are continually pushed. New change in regulation? No problem – already handled. Bug in the UI? We’ll have it resolved on the next release.

All the user has to care about it putting some numbers in. Having worked in finance in a previous incarnation this is one aspect of freelancing I was *dreading*, having had the “experience” of Sage Line 50 and 100. But really, Freeagent couldn’t be any more straightforward.

^ And let’s be honest here for a second – FAC could prepare the regulatory accounts without the need for an accountant. Accountants should do what they do best; tax and business planning. Leave the “accounts” to FreeAgent Central. The big USP here, compared to other packages is that you utilise your accountant for advice (and can even give them a specialised login for this purpose) and perhaps preparing the accounts, but preparing things like VAT return, simple payroll, corporation tax returns, and generally staying in control, get FreeAgent Central for your business!

I have recently set up another business (yes, in a recession!) and have gotten started with FreeAgent Central right from the start. But even if you’re moving to FreeAgent Central for the first time or mid-year, you can simple input your trial balance and carry on from where you left off in your current accounts package or accountant.

FreeAgent Central is one of the best things to happen to my business(es) and I couldn’t be happier with the service I’ve received from Ed and the team at FreeAgent. (Well, they could make me happier – they know what I need ).

Support via GetSatisfaction, regular updates, putting things right quickly and professionally wherever there are problems (not many of these nowadays) make FAC a service I highly recommend to all freelancers and small businesses alike.

10/10.

Great for the industry.

@Ed and others: Thanks!

@Duane: I stumbled on this too (”Why spend three times as much for software that doesn’t update?”) and think it was only unfortunate wording. I think Mike compared the license fees of a desktop-based app with the monthly fee of FAC and concluded that the desktop-based app doesn’t include free updates (going on to mention further advantages of FAC). You probably thought that Mike was comparing the license fee of the desktop app with a 1-2 year costs of FAC to ask whether FAC is expensive but I think that’s not what he meant to say. Anyway, let’s see if Mike will chime in and clarify!

It’s a very nice project.

Congrats to them.

Ouch! We’re ambitious. You’ll see

Am I misreading this? The whole point of the monthly fee that FAC (and us at KashFlow) charge is because it DOES update.

Microsoft and Sage will be trying to squeeze an upgrade or support fee out of you each year so that they can continue to exist.

With the SaaS firms, you pay the ongoing monthly fee and then updates and (for us anyway) support is included for the whole time you’re a subscriber.

Microsoft are in denial. They’ve come to the party but are wearing the wrong clothes with their “software + services” strategy,

Sage attempted SaaS, but it’s just not in their DNA.

If anyone ever tells you accounting and software is boring, tell them to take a look at ths SaaS accounting space in the UK. It’s anythign but boring at the moment!

I cannot imagine trying to run our business without it now – not only does it actually save us money on accountancy fees each year, it gives us a detailed, clear and easy to understand snapshot of our finances at any time.

The most useful features for us are the time tracking (and subsequent invoice generation), invoice tracking and immediate tax calculations. We know exactly what we owe the tax man straight away instead of waiting months for our accountant to work it out.

I can’t recommend this highly enough – they’ll even give you 10% off with our tracking code