Accounting Program

[lally0724]

Hello, I am starting up my photography business, and I am looking for a program to use on the computer, to do my accounting, make up invoices, track GST & PST (I'm from Canada:) ) and that sort of thing. I'm just wondering what sort of programs anybody out there uses, and why they like that one.
Thanks for your help,
Lally

[lcupps]

Well, as a start-up, you can use some of the smaller QuickBooks products. Great package there.

Also, Microsoft just released their Small Business Accounting. SWEET!!!! Ties into Outlook (email/client contact) and all of their other Office Suite.

[jimtfoto]

Once downloaded a free program (Photobyte) tailored for photo business, but couldn't wrap my head around it. You can check it out here at the National Press Photographers Association website: http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/bizsoftware.html

The link page also has two other software packages (not free).

If you're in Canada, I believe you have to do $30,000+ annually in sales before worrying about GST. Not so sure about PST.

As for myself, I use a combination of Microsoft Excel and Word to print invoices, keep track of expenses, etc. Since I'm not doing anywhere near $30,000 in sales, GST/PST is not a worry.

good luck,
jim

[SWPhotoImaging]

I have been struggling with trying to find anything specifically suited to photography business myself. I have found teh kind that are for a studio, where it's mostly time and picture packages and such, but I am trying to track inventory of prints, mats, frames, items on display or consignment at various places, quotes, invoices, expenses, gross, net etc. Quickbooks seemed to me to lack anything usable for actually tracking inventory, such as when you buy mats in bulk and want to add them to inventory, then use one in a framing job later.

Has anyone come across or created their own tool for this kind of "photo-art" business?