[Rosemary]

I take it you need more than Excel?

Probably not, tbh

[doganjo]

Might be the best option then.

A simple Petty Cash book, with analysis columns, to tie up with a proper cash tin for small amounts

A simple Cash book  (Bank book really  - cheques and direct payments out, pay ins and direct incoming transfers in) with the same headings. 

Folio columns for  reference points

Totals vertical and horizontal to balance.

Bank reconciliation to tie up with bank statements.

Link cash book and petty cash book column totals to a Profit & Loss Account and a Balance Sheet if you need one.

Keep ALL receipts, don't leave things to memory - you'll forget!

[ladyK]

I run a business on excel sheets too, have done so for over 10 years.
I have tried accounting software but it just does my head in. A spreadsheet is just like a good old cashbook, except that it adds up the sums for you automatically.
It was my accountant who actually recommended I just use excel (he does my year-end accounts off that, I do the monthly book keeping, and my own VAT returns)

My set up looks like this:
Two tabs/pages, ins and outs.
I download bank statements onto excel, and use that as the basis (the 'gross' column) on both pages (separate out credits & debits with simple sorting)
On each page I have a separate column for any cash transactions, and a separate column for VAT.
Then I run more columns off to the right with different cost (or income) categories (e.g. fuel, feed, vet fees, etc) where I repeat amounts from the main columns just so that I can get a breakdown of all the different types of expense. Those side columns are net, i.e. I take off the VAT and put that in the VAT column.
There is a totals line at the bottom, that in each column reconciles the bank statement, the cash box, the VAT received or payable, and totals for the various cost or income posts.

I have some simple formulas at the bottom (i.e. tell excel with boxes from both pages to add up) to get me the figures I need to put in the VAT return.

It really is very simple but it works.
(perhaps it doesn't sound so simple if 'narrated' as above - happy to send a template by pm if anyone is interested)

[Q]

I actually write accounting software and I would recommend using an excel spreadsheet too!.

The problem I have in writing software is it ends up being too complicated because I am trying to fit into the needs of many different businesses.

Also it needs to be fully audited so its not easy to correct those little typos without following a set procedure - I think its the same for most software. 

Because the law changes from time to time it always needs to be kept up to date and therefore is never going to be cheap.

[ballingall]

Excel (especially Excel 2010) is a wonderful thing. And if you need a formula- google will generally tell you the answer. Accounting software or systems, are only as good as they have been built or designed, and how well they fit your business. You could actually build your own system in excel that fits what you want.

Beth

[Rosemary]

OK. Excel it is then :-)

[Ina]

Mmhh... Does anybody know whether the open office version of spreadsheets does the job as well?

(I'm currently working part time for a small business - shop - and since the owner realised that I am not afraid of paper work and can actually handle numbers, I've been helping with the book keeping. However, everything is still being done as it was when the shop started, and that was almost 100 years ago... My fingers itch with wanting to pull it into the 21st century! It could all be done so much quicker. But I don't have excel at home - don't know what it costs these days, and open office has always been good enough for my personal needs.)

[ladyK]

Yes, the Open Office spreadhseet is very similar to excel, it shoul certainly do the job for accounting 

[Rosemary]

happy to send a template by pm if anyone is interested

Yes please.

[doganjo]

happy to send a template by pm if anyone is interested

Yes please.

Let me know if you need any help