Response to Mr. and Mrs. V:

Thank you very much for your comments and questions. I will attempt to be responsive via this posting.

First, I'm glad you "found your way" to the Blog and took the step of posting a comment and asking questions. Please continue to do so at any time.

Second, with regard to your question of "What accounting software would you recommend for a small company that is experiencing rapid growth?" Here I must plead some ignorance, as it has been a long, long time since I have been into the decision making aspects of what software to use. What I can comment upon based on my last - long time ago! - decision was that Quick Books is considered by many to be the "way to go" and that Quick Books itself is constantly growing to accommodate precisely the situation you are in, rapid growth. That is why Berkeley College offers a course teaching Quick Books. It is quite the thing to be able to present yourself to a potential employer and to indicate you have had both classroom and real-time experience in Quick Books.

Now as to any perceived shortfalls in Quick Books: you mention that it doesn't intergrate with your company's POS software. What I have done in the past is to make up a list of three to five key items that any software would have to have to satisfy my company's needs. I would then call in the Representative of Quick Books to discuss this, but to be sure that my company's Information Technology person was part of the meeting. I would then fully explore with the Rep my concerns. It is surprising how often there are capabilities of a software that one is not aware of. If Quick Books can not provide satisfaction, then ask the Rep which package they would recommend. You would be surprised to find that many are open and honest about providing guidance - after all, you are still their customer and it might be some time - if ever - that you switch.

As to where to then turn for viable alternatives: at least once a year, most of the Accounting journals have surveys and analysis in which they compare perhaps a dozen or more software packages, and they readily catagorize the offerings between for small companies vs. mid-size vs. enterprise wide. Also, and most importantly, ask for advise from your Outside Accounting firm. They should have some expertise, esp. as they might have a multitude of clients with varied software being used. They should be able to ask another client to let you come meet with them and go a real "hands-on" view of their software.

One last thought: I have been part of an environment in which for many years the Controller/Accountants sought to move up and away from Quick Books but, when all was said and done, we stayed "pat" as the lessor of all evils. Meaning, it is no small feat to switch, and for an over-loaded accounting staff, very difficult notwithstanding the perceived benefits. As you pointed out, it is often prudent that you "shouldn't fix something that isn't broke."

I'm sorry if I did not provide you with more specific responses, and I will do so if something additional comes to mind. Let me know your further thoughts and how you end up proceeding.

Regards,