Best record keeping method for consulting work

[prejoh]

Hi all

I was wondering if people could share the software they are using to keep track of there expenses, time, etc if they are doing independent contracts with clients. The reason for question is that my wife will be working from home on a contract basis and I want her to record her time spent on different client accounts, mileage claims, expenses incurred relating to the job (i.e. all costs that relate to work which she is incurring at home).

I am a charted accountant so realise she needs to be registered as a provisional taxpayer and that a prorata percentage of home related expenses (water, electricity, floor space, etc) can be deducted for tax purposes if they relate to her work.

I am however trying to simplify the record keeping of this information as much as possible, I realise I could use Excel but would be nice to rather just rely on a piece of software, especially a South African software package.

The key point however is I know that you can get Pastel, etc but that seems to be more company focused than independent contractor focused, or am I wrong?

Anyway would love to know what other people are doing?

Thanks in advance

 

[Flidiot]

Not South African, but a buddy of mine uses FreshBooks for a similar business setup.

http://www.freshbooks.com/

Maybe it's just what the doc ordered.

If you are looking for something "offline" PM me your contact details and I will put you in touch with someone at a company I do some work for - they have developed a financial system as well which may pretty much cover your needs.

 

[prejoh]

Hi Flidiot

Thanks will demo Freshbooks tonight - nice to see that it is free for the basic package. Will PM you for more detail on the other package if this is not up to standard.

 

[Flidiot]

100% - would be interesting to hear what you think of FreshBooks after you have checked it out. If you don't mind, maybe update this thread with your impression of it?

 

[boom]

I look at all of these packages and wonder what ever happened to people just setting up some spreadsheets in excel.

You can do a lot more and customize it any which way you like.

 

[DJ...]

I've always managed mine with Excel. Create a once-off template and it takes hardly any time thereafter to customise it...

 

[Flidiot]

I look at all of these packages and wonder what ever happened to people just setting up some spreadsheets in excel.

You can do a lot more and customize it any which way you like.

You are correct, there is quite a bit you can do using Excel - it is also easy enough for most people to navigate and use.

For me, personally, I would rather use something that is already ready to use than spend time reinventing the wheel.

Granted, I use Excel for my quotes at the moment

 

[bekdik]

Palladium have a free single user version

 

[koeks]

Not South African, but a buddy of mine uses FreshBooks for a similar business setup.

http://www.freshbooks.com/

Maybe it's just what the doc ordered.

If you are looking for something "offline" PM me your contact details and I will put you in touch with someone at a company I do some work for - they have developed a financial system as well which may pretty much cover your needs.

I use freshbooks as well, works perfectly. You pay a small fee every month if you have more than 3 clients. If you want your clients to take you seriously then freshbooks is the way to go for small consulting houses, independent contracts, etc

I pay R160 every month which lets you manage up to 25 clients. Your clients can even logon an see their account statements, etc. and there are a bunch of useful reports that go with it. With spreadsheets you need to keep track where you put your files ,etc.

You can create an invoice from a timesheets, the user interface is very clean and easy to work with.

Boom and DJ you are right you can setup spreadsheets in excel, but once you have used freshbooks you will wonder why you had not used it earlier. Try it guys its free for 3 clients.

I have also tried the online package that pastel has, but that's more suited to manufacturing businesses.

 

[DJ...]

Boom and DJ you are right you can setup spreadsheets in excel, but once you have used freshbooks you will wonder why you had not used it earlier. Try it guys its free for 3 clients.

Mine is pretty advanced and ties directly into my financials. I'll have a look but its unlikely I'll move. I guess its because of the vested interest...

 

[koeks]

Boom and DJ you are right you can setup spreadsheets in excel, but once you have used freshbooks you will wonder why you had not used it earlier. Try it guys its free for 3 clients.

Mine is pretty advanced and ties directly into my financials. I'll have a look but its unlikely I'll move. I guess its because of the vested interest...

Ok cool