Intuit QuickBooks Regular 2006 review

QuickBooks Regular is one of four related accounting programs.

The cheapest is SimpleStart, which is suitable for a one-man business handling only cash payments. The Regular version, reviewed here, is far more powerful and is aimed at both start-ups and young businesses. Able to cope with credit and cash transactions, it grows with a business until you reach the stage where you need to handle more than five staff or operate from multiple premises - then you can upgrade to QuickBooks Pro and retain all of your original data.

QuickBooks has been around for years and is well accepted by the accounting profession and tax authorities. Much of the emphasis in the 2006 version is on making it easy for new users to set up a company for the first time. The main aid to this is the EasyStep interview, which quizzes you about the nature of your business and sets up all the appropriate accounts for you. You can change the suggested accounts if you know what you're doing, but they're a great help for first-timers.

Even more useful, and a rarity these days, is a well-written and clearly illustrated manual with colour-coded pages. It guides you through installing the program, setting up a company and starting to make regular transactions.

As it comes out of the box, QuickBooks Regular can't handle payroll calculations, but you can subscribe to an annual internet-based payroll service that activates the dormant payroll facilities within the program. The annual subscription for this is £99.95, but only £50 if you order it when buying the program.

QuickBooks handles every standard accounting task with ease, including invoicing, VAT collections and payments, and stock control. It can also generate more than 100 reports and graphs that enable you to keep an eye on exactly how your business is doing at all times.