Although this may sound like an ad, It's not. I own a small Mortgage company and I recently went around trying to do my homework on which software to buy for the accounting in my business. I read the reviews here for both QB and MYOB. I wasn't really excited about the idea of using software others had so much trouble with.

In short here is what I found. I went to my apple store and was referred to a QB and MYOB consultant. You can find them in your area by looking on the web at both QB's and MYOB's site. I am from Portland OR and found a great gal named Dena at a company called Bennett Porter. This company is a firm of CPA's who does not provide any accounting services and Dena herself is a CPA. All they specialize in is in training people how to properly use the acconting software that is available. I found out from them that 95% of the time when they meet clients with problems, it is a result of the setup of the company not being done properly. Appearently, and to no surprise, the setup assistants are crap. If you are having problems, I highly recomend looking for a professional in your area to help you set up your books to start with. This would be cheaper then trying to set it up on your own then needing more help from your pro to get things fixed. Regardless of how much experience you have with your software, I have found that most of my friends whom I've referred have found it helped them tremendously. Plus you'll only need a few meetings to get setup and going, once at quarterlies and once at EOY. Then you may never need them again. Plus you'll save a boat load on your accountant because you can give them everything they need to fillout your returns with less time on their part.

I would recommend one more piece of advice. If you are looking at buying accounting software find one pro who is both QB and MYOB certified that way you can ask questions about what is best for your companies needs. There are a few differences. Also, dispite what you read, both programs work cross platform with no problem according to my pro. I have had no problems going to her office and backing up my file on a memory stick plugging it into her PC working on it then saving it back and dumping the update back on my mac, so those who say they don't work were too cheap to get their books set up right in the first place and so of course they are having problems. Also I have found that most CPA's who do your taxes know only how to use the programs and arn't very qualified at setting you up properly so find someone who is.

Finally quit listening to all those who are tearing these programs apart and won't pay a pro to teach them how to use it properly. Trust me, it's not cheap but it, at least for me, has been worth every penny. BTW I chose MYOB but my gal says that both programs for the mac work fine and have no problems.