Review: Cashbook Manager

Worried about cash flow problems? Dave Cook discovers you don't have to spend a fortune to keep your books in order.

Product	Cashbook Manager
Company	Torsoft
Web	www.guildsoft.co.uk
Price	£39.99
We like
We don't like
Rating	8/10
Requirements

When it comes to money matters, even the most prudent business needs to maintain a watchful eye over its finances. Indeed, the success or failure of any company, large or small, relies heavily on someone knowing just how much cash is available to pay the bills and so forth.

Thankfully, there are a number of software solutions available to help the budding bookkeeper. Take Torsoft's Cashbook Manager, for example. Whether you're self-employed, or running a small to medium sized business, Cashbook Manager provides an easy to use and fairly comprehensive cashbook solution.

Cashbook Manager allows you to create as many cashbook files as you wish. Then at the end of the financial year its reports can be handed over to your accountant, presenting that person with all the account information deemed necessary. If you wish, cashbook data can be exported to a text file or linked directly to Microsoft Excel for closer inspection and analysis. The program supports multiple VAT rates, while businesses that are not VAT registered can simply choose to ignore it.

Called To Account

Be aware that Cashbook Manager utilises a serial number scheme which limits the use of new cashbook files until the program has been registered with the vendor. If you choose not to enter the serial number, or if you have not yet received it, the program restricts the number of transactions that may be entered.

Options

Minimum system requirements required to run Cashbook Manager are a Pentium 166MHz computer or above, with 32MB RAM, running Windows 98 or later. To get even more out of the program, Invoicing/Purchasing and Contact Management modules are available separately for £19.95 including VAT; or £29 .95 for both modules if purchased at the same time. These additional modules can be unlocked at any time with the help of your credit card and a quick call to the vendor.

On launch of the program there are options to create a new cashbook, open a sample cashbook (useful for computer or bookkeeping novices) or open an existing cashbook. Choosing to open a new cashbook launches a wizard to help you get your cashbook up and running with the minimum of fuss.

Once the usual formalities have been submitted, such as the name and address of your business, VAT (optional), and company registration numbers (also optional), the process is further simplified with a ready-made list of starter account sets.

These sets cover a number of businesses. They range from Money Accounts Only to setting up a Bakery, Bicycle Shop, Computer Shop, Hairdresser, Video Hire Shop, and a host of other small businesses. When you select a set, the accounts themselves appear in the listbox beneath your choice. This helps you select the best starter set for your business. Furthermore, once set up, cashbook files can easily be password protected.

Money, Income, and Expense Accounts are all linked to the Cashbook Journal. Among other things, the Cashbook Journal helps you to pay only the bills you can afford to pay using the rather nifty Post And Hold Payment facility. In addition, there are a full range of customisable reports available to help you make better-informed decisions based on the cash position of your business.

Verdict

A useful accounts wizard and easy to use interface makes Cashbook Manager an ideal package for the computer or bookkeeping novice.

 

Dave Cook