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PPC > Reviews>
Smallbiz

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