Cohousing-L Mailing List: Quick Books Accounting Program

[Lydia & Ray Ducharme (ducharm1]

Hi Catya,

I thought I'd try to answer your question and give a plug for Quick Books
for all those groups out there who are looking for an incredibly
user-friendly, time-saving and inexpensive accounting program.  I use it for
our cohousing group and it was recommended to me by my sister who did the
accounting for Windsong Cohousing.

I've never worked with Quicken, but I've heard that it's a "cheque register"
rather than a true accounting program.  I saw some of the reports and didn't
like them.  I don't think it would track the Balance Sheet accounts, like
the member equity section, but I can't say that for sure.   Quick Books,
I've heard, is very similar in many data entry functions to Quicken, and
equally easy to use.

In my work we've converted approximately 50 parishes to Quick books.  Many
of the volunteers have limited accounting knowledge and they found it very
easy to learn.  Everyone loves it.

I don't think you can wrong with that program!

Lydia

> First, Our new treasurer-to-be would like to talk to someone who has set
up
> accounting for a cohousing group before.  We're at the point where people
> will start to put in serious money.  Right now we're using Quicken, but
> maybe we need to upgrade to Quickbooks?  Can you or someone in your group
> help her out and answer some questions?

> - catya