As I was afraid would happen, the new Simple Start version of QuickBooks has created more confusion among potential users, as with this email I received from a client who I had told would have to upgrade from Quicken to QuickBooks if she wants me to continue to prepare her tax returns for 2004.

Is Quick Books Quick Start OK, or do I specifically need Quick Books Basic? Is one easier, or are they the same thing? What's easiest and fastest for you? A one word answer here is fine.

 As you can see, I didn't know how to answer this in one word without creating more confusion.

The new Simple Start version of QuickBooks is a terrible waste of money.  I published a review of it on my blog a few months back: 
http://www.taxguru.net/2004/10/thumbs-down-for-qb-simple-start.html

Since posting that review, I have actually spoken with a number of QuickBooks employees who told me off the record that they agree that it is a crappy program and were over-ruled when they tried to prevent its production from inside their company. 

QuickBooks Basic costs almost the same and is a much better program.  You can also use the more powerful versions of QuickBooks (Pro and Premier) if you prefer; but they really aren't worth the additional cost unless you're going to be doing a lot of bookkeeping for several companies, as I do. For just keeping your own books, Basic will do everything you need for much less money than the other versions.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

Kerry

- posted by Kerry M. Kerstetter, MBA~CPA~ATP~ATA @ 12/14/2004 06:25:00 PM Send this post: