Sage 50 Accounts For Dummies

Jane E. Kelly

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781119214168
• Edition: 4
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Accounting
• Index: Business

Make bookkeeping a breeze withSage

Sage 50 Accounts is a tremendously popular resource among accounting professionals, and exciting upgrades in version 22 make it even more useful. This book helps you use get started with installation as well as customisation, and in a short time you'll be running VAT returns and producing reports. Newer features help you store copies on the cloud, access data from anywhere and much more.

Inside...

• Fully updated screenshots
• How to use Sage Drive
• A guide to key buttons
• New ways to access tasks
• Toolbar configuration tips
• Valuable window shortcuts
• How to process paperwork
• Project management help
• Tips on using mobile apps

Part 1

Getting Started with Sage 50 Accounts

IN THIS PART …

Meet the Sage product range and decide which product is going to be the most useful to you.

Install the Sage software and go step by step setting up your records and chart of accounts.

Discover the tricks and tips for assigning nominal codes and navigating around the system.

Find out how to enter and check your opening balances.

Chapter 1

Introducing Sage 50 Accounts

IN THIS CHAPTER

Introducing the Sage software range

Installing and registering Sage software

Getting help from the wizards

Making your way around Sage

In this chapter, I introduce you to the Sage 50 Accounts software range. I show you how easily you can install the software and give you a guided tour, so that you can get up and running quickly – essential for busy people.

Sage works on the principle that the less time you spend inputting your accounts, the more time you spend on your business, so it makes each process as simple as possible.

Looking at the Varieties of Sage

Sage’s developers understand that every business is different, and each business has different needs. As a result, they’ve developed a range of accounting software designed to grow with your business, whatever it is. The three levels of Sage 50 Accounts software start with basic features and finish with a product that contains all the bells and whistles you can possibly want. These versions of Sage are as follows:

• Sage 50 Accounts: This is the entry-level program. Sage 50 Accounts provides all the features you need to successfully manage your accounts. You can professionally handle your customers and suppliers, manage your bank reconciliations and value-added tax (VAT) returns, and provide simple reports, including monthly and year-end requirements. This basic version is suitable for small businesses with a simple structure and businesses that need basic stock systems but don’t need systems for project costing, foreign currency, or sales/purchase order processing. If you do need foreign currency, you can pay an additional fee to add this module.
• Sage 50 Accounts Plus: This contains all the features of the entry-level model but also lets you manage project costs versus budgets and control costs of manufactured and assembled products, and has an improved stock control system to produce bills of materials and allocate stock. You also still have the ability to add the foreign currency module (at an additional cost).
• Sage 50 Accounts Professional: This includes all the features of Accounts Plus but adds sales and purchase order processing, foreign trading, bank account revaluation, and Intrastat support. Accounts Professional can handle up to 20 users and manage multiple companies. This product is suited to both small- and medium-sized businesses and offers customers a product flexible enough to suit a multitude of different businesses, including those that trade in both the U.K. and abroad.

DECIDING ON SAGE COVER

You can purchase Sage Cover at the same time you buy Sage. Sage Cover gives you technical support in case you have any problems using Sage. It may seem an additional cost burden to begin with, but I think Sage Cover is well worth the money in case you have any software problems.

Most people who use accounting packages know something about accounting but don’t necessarily know much about computer software. When your screen pops up with an error message that you simply don’t understand, a quick phone call to your Sage Cover support line can soon solve the problem.

For Sage 50 Accounts, you can choose between two different types of cover:

• Sage Cover Online Support: The key features are the opportunity to use the web chat facility, where you can communicate with Sage advisors in real time by sending instant messages online. Email support is available for more detailed questions. You also get Ask Sage, which gives you online access to thousands of frequently asked questions. In addition you get access to software updates.
• Sage Cover Extra Support: You get all the options for Online Support, as well as telephone support, which includes call-backs, and email and online question-and-answer support. There is also an option for remote support, which means that with your permission, Sage technicians can remotely access your PC to help solve queries. In addition you can access customized reports support and webcasts.

Sometimes the Help button just doesn’t answer your question. Having someone on the end of the phone to talk you through a problem is a real bonus. The technical support team can help you solve the most awkward problems that would otherwise have you throwing your laptop out of the window in pure frustration.

Installing the Software

There is more than one way to install your Sage 50 software. Currently, Sage offers the software as a digital download, but if your Internet speeds are not what they should be, then you may prefer the traditional method of buying the product off-the-shelf and loading the CD. Whichever you choose, Sage guides you seamlessly through the process to ensure you load the software as efficiently as possible.

Check the technical specifications required to run your software: Ensure your laptop or PC is sufficiently powerful to run it. Sage is quite a big program, and you need a relatively powerful computer to run it.

Getting what you need before you get started

Whichever method of purchase you use, you should receive a seria...