Ah, Sage; the granddaddy of accounting software. Not to betray our age or anything, but we remember Sage being the only real option outside of Excel. Recent years have seen a much-needed update to the interface and general usability, but there are some folks out there who have used and loved Sage since the early days. But the accounting software industry has changed a lot since the early 2000s. Stick with us while we sketch out the modern Sage accounting software setup and see whether it’s a good fit for your business.
Sage Accounting Software: Still better than Excel
We’re going to be completely open here. Sage is not our favourite. There. It’s out in the open. Before we get into why we’re not always thrilled to see a new client with Sage running their books, let’s outline why Sage’s accounting software is still an industry giant. Here are four reasons we think they keep up and, occasionally, stand out from the crowd.
Pro: What Sage Does Right
1. VAT and HMRC Integration
Sage is fully HMRC-compliant which means regular VAT returns are easily made and keeps your business up to date with government requirements and tax demands.
2. Top-Notch Collaboration
Sage makes good use of cloud technology, allowing multiple users to have access to your business accounts in real time. As you can imagine, this is something accountants love. We can see up-to-date expenses, digital receipts and adjustments in real-time which lets us do our job without bothering you.
3. Customisable Reports
Putting together finance health in an easy-to-read report. This is a very helpful feature in this accounting software platform, especially if you’re preparing financial information for non-accountants (think managers, CEOs, company directors, etc.) Even small businesses can benefit from seeing an overall summary of your money health.
4. Helpful Website Guides
Sage’s website and blog have some seriously helpful guides and observations for business owners. Information like “How Much Does It Cost to Open a Restaurant” and “Guide To Starting A Business”. These blogs are easy to read, have some solid information, and are a good complement your financial and accounting business activities.
Cons: Where Sage Accounting Software Wilts
1. Usability
To date, Sage is possibly the most complicated accounting software we’ve used. It’s not terribly intuitive and takes a fair bit of learning to find your way around the programme and set up routine tasks.
2. Limited Integration and Automation
Sage is just not as compatible with as many third-party apps as the other accounting software on the market. This limitation is a real disability in our opinion. It can be frustrating and time-consuming as some tasks which are automated on other accounting platforms still require manual input on Sage.
3. Customer Support
If there are issues, Sage has often been criticised for their digital-only responses and generally slow customer service.
Bearing all of the above in mind, we don’t hate Sage. Not really. Using Sage is like spending time with a complicated childhood friend. There’s history and affection there, and that makes up for their being a bit of a handful. We recommend checking out our other software reviews for comparison before you decide on one platform for your business. You can read our Xero and FreeAgent reviews.
Help From Your Friendly Local Accountant
If you’ve already made the commitment and tied up your business’ books to the Sage legacy, we’re the people for you. We can make quick work out of getting your records up to date and making sure your money flows smoothly. Get in touch with us here.
