MYOB or Quickbooks for Mac business owners?

Justin. Running a windows version of QB through a windows emulator does not mean that you're running the mac version of the software. It means you're running the Windows version through a windows emulator. That's why you didn't notice the issues that those of us who had been using the Mac version had been struggling with.

That's why my CPA actually came to my office so she could see for herself what the problem was. She, too, runs a Windows version through a windows emulator on the mac so she couldn't understand the difference. That's the problem. It's the Mac version that sucks. It's an entirely different program.

I feel your pain. We've had so much trouble with the QuickBooks Mac export to Windows thing not working, that we bought a MacBook for our office and installed the Mac version of QuickBooks on it, so that we can serve our Mac-using clients more easily.

That said, I know at least one Mac user who is happy with Outright Accounting, in combination with FreshBooks. They only have 1099 contractors and no employees, though. It's supposed to be more intuitive and easier to use for the non-accountant. It certainly was a piece of cake for me to figure out, but my brain has been contaminated with accounting classes, and I'm not a good judge of what is easy for non-accountants to understand ;)

Mariette

I have heard nice things about freshbooks. Evidently, the developer is right here in the NW. Must be why it's a good program. :-)

I actually have several 1099ers too- it's the only way to go!

Thanks Mariette (pretty name)

Barbara, you're misunderstanding me. From 1996 to 2005, I ran only QB for Mac - emulation wasn't a real option until the introduction of the Intel Macs. I continue to upgrade to each new edition of QB for Mac, because I have several clients who use it and because it keeps me current on the features of each new version.

After I read through this [very long] thread, I started writing a reponse, but it got so long I submitted it as an article :)

Looking to The Clouds for a Decent Mac Accounting Solution - http://bit.ly/2zQkUT

Folks, I'm new to the forum here, but I've been following the discussion of the horror of QuickBooks for Mac. It's scary. I've seen the dissatisfaction with QB for Mac on Amazon forums, as well. Despite that, accountants seem to want files in QB form to do taxes. Can you tell me if MYOB for Mac will export files that cold be read by QB for PC? Or can MYOB export to Excel with info that could then be opened in QB for PC and used by an accountant? I'm looking for ways that I can use MYOB to give myself a break, but still satisfy the desires of my CPA. Thanks for your help!

Randall, my advice would be to find a different CPA. The key to survival in this new world economy is to provide the services that your clients need and pay for. The reason that QB has become such a nightmare is because we've been held hostage by the accountants and CPAs that cram it down our throats. We need to exercise our power of choice by using the services of professionals that meet our needs - not dictate to us in order to stay in their comfort zone.

The makers of QB have many incentives for CPAs, that's why they insist on it. However, they provide absolutely no service whatsoever to us as the end user. Times have changed.

You have the right to use the tools that work best for you. If your CPA doesn't get it - get a new CPA. There are tons out there who will bend over backward for you.

I use Julia Fitzgerald here in Portland. Not only does she manage to speak regular English to answer my questions, she's gone out of her way to meet the needs of her mac-based clients without once insisting on the dreaded QB.

I sympathize with the Mac users, but the fact is QB is the predominate bookkeeping program and is used by the great majority. A CPA firm should be able to get what he needs from any program, so yeah Randall, you may need a new CPA. I am not sure we cram it down anyones throat, its just what 95% of what our clients decide to use. Shaun Irvine, CA CPA, Bookkeeping

The good news is that Mac users tend to differ significantly from PC users in that we expect far more from our computers and software. With the rising numbers of Mac business users there are major developments in new bookkeeping software. After my nightmare experience with QB, I did research last year and found more than 30 new alternatives coming on the horizon. So there is change in the wind. The wise CPA would be advised to be look at what's coming and not relay on the old standby. Mac users tend to not sit complacently and just use the same old thing because 'that's the way it's always been done'. If it doesn't work, they find what does - or insist that something better is developed. We are seeing a shift in how business is being done - from the 'one size fits all' nonsense to a more customized way of business. The service providers that meet their clients needs are the ones that will emerge intact.

Intuit meets the needs of their Quicken users fine, but they've made a fatal error with how they've dealt with business users on a Mac.

It's interesting to watch as a lesson in the new business approach, isn't it?

So, how do we get James Shaffer's a$$ kicked off of Biznik for posting 17 "auto insurance quotes" into threads in the last hour?

I don't see a mechanism for reporting shady activity...

I think you just go on his profile and click "flag this member" (lower left side). That should allow you to send a message to biznik administrators.

I flagged that idiot. The more of us the better!

I also flagged him. There is one guy on biznik that is constantly promoting "business systems" that are really associated with his MLM. Flagging him has not worked, hope this does.

Annie, I noted you mentioned using QB Pro. I must admit there is a large difference between Pro and Premier in the books' line.

I've used just about every small business accounting software on the market and one that is no longer around. If you prefer to work on Macs, go with the MYOB route. The company has more exposure to the platform so I must assume that is the best direction. Keep in mind though, it is quite bland in appearance with a more traditional handling backbone than QB.

I have been using MYOB on a mac for about ten years. My original bookkeeper started me on it when I began my business and I have used it ever since so I have no experience with Quickbooks to compare it to.

My question is about downloading information from Chase. I have taken to paying bills on-line and really like the ability to do this but it means double data entry - once when I create the new vendor on-line to pay the bill and the second time when I balance the account. From what I understand, the data will download directly into Quickbooks so if I enter a new Vendor, all that information will flow right into Quickbooks so I would only need to set it up once. Does anyone have experience with Chase and Quickbooks? I am considering switching to Quickbooks just for this feature but many of the comments on this thread are making me reconsider. Thanks.

Conrad,

From my experience, nothing works directly with quickbooks unless it is in a .iff file format. Peachtree and MYOB work directly with .csv files after you have matched them to the needed columns. I have very little trouble uploading to peachtree using excel. MYOB operates its upload feature equally to peachtree.

I am a CPA and have heard the complaints on the different softwares. I plan on writing a comparison blog and letting my clients choose and make a switch based on my informative blog, although I do believe QuickBooks will win. Shaun, Los Angeles CPA