Simpler than creating invoices in Word or Excel ...
Posted by Alison Mead on 29/03/2021 @ 8:00AM
When a business first starts out, they often don't have the spare cash to invest in proper bookkeeping software, but they still need to look professional when raising invoices ...
Bokio has free invoicing software and bookkeeping and accountancy software are available too!
If your business is cash-based, or you just don't need invoices right now, then Excel is perfectly acceptable to run your business, but if you need to raise invoices and offer people some time to pay, then using an accounts package to track your invoices, email them automatically, create statements, and make sure payments are allocated to the correct invoice is definitely much simpler than creating invoices in Word or Excel.
"It makes it so much easier to chase unpaid invoices if you know which invoices are raised, paid and unpaid really easily!"
In the past, I have recommended Wave as a starter package offered for free; they make their money if people use their credit card facilities on their invoices. However, if you just wanted it to raise and keep track of invoices, you could do that for free and ask people to pay you via bank transfers.
But the software is Canadian. They stopped allowing bank feeds, didn't adhere to GDPR in the UK, and couldn't cope with making tax digital for VAT registered business, so I have been on the lookout for an alternative product.
I have been told about a Swedish product called Bokio which has free invoicing software and bookkeeping and accountancy packages are available too. I am doing a trial run with the software to see how it works, but it seems very similar to Wave, and quite a few people have moved from Wave to Bokio.
"There is also a Facebook community for UK users which can offer support too!"
So, if you are searching for professional-looking invoices and a great way to take control of your bookkeeping, but you can't afford the subscriptions for Xero and Sage, then take a look at Bokio, and if you need some help getting it all set up, arrange a hand-holding session with me.
Until next time ...
ALISON MEAD
Would you like to know more?
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01604 217365 and let's see how I can help you.
Alison loves bookkeeping and supporting bookkeepers. She has been helping clients to be better bookkeepers in Sage 50 for over 24 years and has been Xero Accredited in accounts and payroll for a number of years too.
She specialises in a very unique hand-holding method of training, helping bookkeepers and business owners to use their accounts software as and when they need support in setting up and producing their invoices, reports and financial information.
Alison combines her role at Silicon Bullet with her Forever Living network marketing businesses and is often to be seen at business networking meetings as she likes to keep busy.
You know what they say: if you want something done well ask a busy person!
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