Simple accounting software

[#1]

I looking for some fairly simple accounts software for a Vista PC to manage a small village hall booking, and invoicing system
1. About 20 to 50 users of the hall ( customers )
2  Enter each booking ( order )
3. Raises an invoice after the date hall is used
4. Produces reminders if unpaid,
5. Produces simple receipt
6. Keeps a overall summary showing income etc.
7. Provides a summary of all bookings - i.e diary
7. Preferably provides a file compatble with Sage software used by accountants
any recommendations please ?
many thanks in advance

[#2]

I haven't tried it, we use Sage at work, but the price is right on this, and it looks as though it might do (most of) what you want:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/accountingexpress/FX101729681033.aspx
Regards,
Neil

[#3]

The raising of invoices / reminders should be done in your accounting system.
That way you can handle payments reconciliation, ledgers, VAT etc properly.

[#4]

don't know if kmymoney, or gnucash would work in windows.

[#5]

Thanks guys - looks like there is a free version of  Office Accounting Express 2008 available from MS - complete with UK version
http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/accountingexpress/HA102505591033.aspx?pid=CL101729951033

[#6]

Have a look at the "small print" at the bottom of that page

Quote

The information contained in this demo may include features available only after installation of additional add-ins.

It is only a "demo" of the real thing.... may only work in parts, and also may be for a limited time, then stop working... in which case you will have to re set and re-do all the procedures you have done for the past ? days / ? month.....

[#7]

I used to have MYOB (mind your own business) accounting software free on a cd (give away on a pc mag) ..... You can download it for free, or send for a free cd....  it is a trial, but you can use it 25 times.... I think this refers to 25 different accounts.... as when I phoned up for the  "Registration Key" the guy on the phone said I could keep on using it.... but I wasn`t sure what he meant.... (didn`t use it in the end.... got myself an accountant!)
Here is a couple of links I have googled 

http://www.nchsoftware.com/accounting/index.html?gclid=CO-npoGJ5pcCFQoi3godZXdrDQ
this is FREE... and you can get a FREE invoice attachment too....

Quote

(from the website) We make this software free in the hope you will like it so much you will try our other business software applications.

**********************************************************************************************************************
Here is another one....
http://www.turbocashuk.com/
It is Free Open Source software.......

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Have a look at this page too...
Freebyte's Guide to...
Free Business
and Office Software
http://www.freebyte.com/office/

Click on the first line  ""Free Office Suites"...... then scroll down (quite a long way ) to the accounts programs..
loads of free stuff on there
There are at least 20 free progs, listed.

Hope you find something...

[#8]

Thanks Shutter,
I'm trying things out before asking our accountants ( external firm ).
I tried installing it on the Vista laptop - but it failed for some reason. So I'll have to try again when I have time.

[#9]

Quote from: mal0z

Thanks guys - looks like there is a free version of  Office Accounting Express 2008 available from MS - complete with UK version http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/accountingexpress/HA102505591033.aspx?pid=CL101729951033

I'd be very wary of using a Microsoft accounting package!  They have  habit of dropping support at a whim.  cf Microsoft Money used by Barclays (amongst others) as a handy way for clients to manage their affairs.  UK support dropped with no replacement option, closely followed by dropping support altogether.
Maurice

[#10]

Thanks for the guidance Maurice -

[#11]

microsoft money is FOC with some office suites and is actually really good. you can do bank recs and everything with it..

[#12]

Yup!  But Money 2005 is the latest UK version of the software?  See here  and here..
Maurice

[#13]

Have a look at Accountz.com.
Excellent & easy to use software written by people from within the accounting industry. Have been using their software on a personal basis for over 20 years.
Some of the best customer support I have ever seen along with an excellent forum.
They even offer a returns policy (less a £10 fee) if you find the software unsuitable.
Check out the forum and try the software.

[#14]

quickbooks are gd. but i dont know how gd the free version is.
a family member uses one of the acountant pro ones as she does book keeping ect part time and all the updates ect i do for it are trouble free
http://quickbooks.intuit.co.uk/

[#15]

Sage also have a free version
http://www.sageinvoicing.co.uk/