Latest 'Looking After Business' column from the Carmarthen Journal

Here is the new Clay Shaw Butler 'Looking after business' column from the pages of the Carmarthen Journal -

By Ann Thomas, leading Consultant at West Wales Chartered Accountants and Business Consultants Clay Shaw Butler

When you talk about accounting software packages, the name Sage usually comes to the fore.
It was certainly the case at the business seminar we staged at the University of Wales Trinity St David recently.
Sage was the name on everyone’s lips as representatives of businesses from across West Wales gathered to hear the latest news about the package.
If you are thinking of buying accounting software, or already have Sage installed, then you, too, will be interested to hear about the features of the new software upgrade.
The new release makes many of the routine tasks easier and quicker to do, while adding useful new features to improve the effectiveness of the software.
Installation of the software has been made a lot easier with hardware checks and registration now being part and parcel of the quick set up.
This includes networking your Sage onto more than one PC if needed.
The 2012 version also has a quick support homepage, which has all the information you need on the technical details of your software in one place.
The Chart of Accounts function, which helps you set out the format for your monthly management accounts, is user friendly with a preview window now on screen for you to see what any changes you are making will look like straight away.
This screen will also show you how taxation is dealt with within Sage, using specific new nominal codes.
Part of the new software now has the ability to give access to permitted users to view and enter data onto the system via their iPhones or Blackberry devices.
It gives flexibility to users and management alike in that they do not need to be in the office now to access the accounts data. It will benefit the owner-managed businesses – people who have to contend with the ever-changing world of business and monitor their financials in real time, wherever they are.
For further details on the software, whether it be for purchase, upgrade or training, you can give us a call at Clay Shaw Butler.
It is also worth bearing in mind that we have team members here who are specialists in Quick Books software and other accounting packages.
They can help with training and ‘hand-holding’ for inexperienced computer operators.
Finally, some ‘congratulations’ are in order. Natalie Jones, from the new Llety Cynin leisure club and conference centre near St Clears, was the winner of a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne at our business seminar. Hope you enjoyed the bubbly, Natalie!
The team at Clay Shaw Butler can be contacted on 01267 228500 or through the website at www.clayshawbutler.com