Bookkeeping and accounts software

Hello

This is my first post to this group so I hope this is the correct place to begin. Here is a sumaary of what I'm trying to achieve: The concepts of bookkeeping from a managerial perspective How to get the most out of current software (Sage Line 50 v10)

Here's a brief background of the company I am involved in.

I operate in a company I have just bought in to whose concern is the installation of heating and cooling systems to commercial properties. The business is lacking organisational structure for it's size and is in danger of losing custom if there is not investment in IT systems and an increase in administrative overheads. The main shareholder plans to retire in around 18months. He is very good at "running" the business but has difficulty wresting himself away from this in order to manage the business. That will be the challenge for me and my partner who own 25% each.

I consider it extremely important that I become familiar with the bookkeeping side of the business. I am familiar in managing contracts e.g. job costing and invoicing but I don't know how these are processed into the "books". I have been reading books on the subject and have purchased "Bookkeeping and Accounting in a Week" by Roger Mason and "Bookkeeping and Accounts for Small Business" by Tony Bannister. I was wondering if there are any other books or websites, educational DVD-ROMs on the subject. With regards to Sage we run the accounts package alongside Sage Payroll. We have about 25 operatives. I would also like to improve my skills on Sage. I wonder if anyone recommends a course. I have seen that LearnDirect do a course called "Intoroduction to Bookkeeping with Sage Line 50". I wonder if anyone knows anything of this course.

Any help regarding any of the topics would be appreciated

Kind regards

John

PS If someone thinks another accounting product is more suitable for our business, then please let me know!

Have never heard of Sage Line 50 software, but that is neither here nor there. It may be perfectly suitable for your type of business. The best advice I can think to offer is for you to contact the software developer SAGE and ask for the names of some resellers/consultants in your area that specialize in that software and then invite one or more of them to come to your office and answer your questions re the Sage Line 50 software's suitability to your business. Be prepared to pay this person for his/her time in assisting you.

If, as you say, the original owner of the business is great at running the day-to-day aspects of the business but not so good at the management aspects of the business, I would guess that the Sage software you have is maybe NOT the best for your type of business. An hour or two speaking with someone who specializes in the Sage Line 50 software should reveal which is the case.

Per