QuickBooks 2009 for Mac coming October 8

[AppleInsider]

Intuit next month will begin shipping QuickBooks 2009 for Mac, an overhaul to its small business accounting software redesigned for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard that leverages features such as Spotlight and Cover Flow.

The new release promises much closer functional parity with QuickBooks Pro 2009 for Windows, but will reportedly still lack some important functions like networking (multi-user) support.

One of the new features Intuit plans to tout is a redesigned Super Navigator home page that should make it easier for clients to manage their business by providing flowcharts for Customer, Vendor, and Transaction Centers.

The other major selling point will be something called Company Snapshots, or a unified dashboard offering greater visibility into the performance of a business through expense charts, customer balances, and key reminders. Company snapshots can be printed for consultant engagements and otherwise used to help clients better manage their business.

Outside of those two major features, other changes in QuickBooks 2009 largely center around improvements to pre-existing functions, such as improved iCal integration, and improved usability of Forms and List Views.

The new version will also introduce DirectConnect access for securely downloading bank and credit card transactions, and feature improvements to handling of batch invoicing.

QuickBooks 2009 has a new look and feel Super Navigator homepage.

Although Intuit has yet to issue a press release announcing formal availability, online retailer Amazon.com began taking pre-orders for the $200 software earlier this week, listing a release date of October 8th.

Company Snapshot groups graphs with key financial information.

Meanwhile, Ars noted earlier this week that the radical redesign of Quicken for Mac previewed for AppleInsider over 8 months ago at Macworld 2008 has thus far proven to be vaporware.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[fishstick_kitty]

I will wait for the completely re-written quicken...this just looks like a moderate update to the existing codebase rather than the complete re-write that is supposed to come out in 2009 I guess? I'll wait for that then

[ren]

Official info from Intuit posted for accountants
http://proadvisor.intuit.com/product/whatsnew/index.jsp

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Meanwhile, Ars noted earlier this week that the radical redesign of Quicken for Mac previewed for AppleInsider over 8 months ago at Macworld 2008 has thus far proven to be vaporware.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

I've switched to Apple's Numbers.
It is hands down, the easiest and best personal finance software I have ever used.
I just created about 8 spread sheets that track:
-Debt
--Credit Cards
--Loans
-Payment Calendar
-Retirement Savings
-Investments
-FICO Score
-AT&T minutes calendar (helps me pace my usage)

Numbers creates beautiful charts that help me to see exactly where I'm at and keeps me motivated to keep improving my "numbers".

[embee]

Coverflow, huh?

You know, the one thing I've always thought was missing from accounting software was an emulation of desperate shuffling through receipts at the end of the year, trying to find that one write-off.

It's a wondrous day.

[DimMok]

Keep it.

[Sabon]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

I've switched to Apple's Numbers.
It is hands down, the easiest and best personal finance software I have ever used.
I just created about 8 spread sheets that track:
-Debt
--Credit Cards
--Loans
-Payment Calendar
-Retirement Savings
-Investments
-FICO Score
-AT&T minutes calendar (helps me pace my usage)

Numbers creates beautiful charts that help me to see exactly where I'm at and keeps me motivated to keep improving my "numbers".

Numbers may be great for you. I'm guessing that you have a very small business or use it just for personal use. That doesn't count it companies that aren't tiny.

[aaarrrgggh]

So will this one not suck as much as all their other Mac attempts? Is there any mac accounting software that doesn't suck!?

My sister called practically crying about how useless Quicken on a Mac was, but the most depressing issue was that the best solution is to use Parallels and run Quicken for Windows since all the native programs apparently suck as well!

How hard can it possibly be?! And when will there be a proper QuickBooks for Mac... or a great alternative?

[rcarlton]

Originally Posted by aaarrrgggh

How hard can it possibly be?! And when will there be a proper QuickBooks for Mac... or a great alternative?

I agree...

The one application keeping Windows in place at one of my clients is Quickbooks.

I'd be OK if their online product had feature parity with the desktop version, but it's got even less features than the Mac version (though the iPhone client is nice enough).

We looked at NetSuite - and while the product itself was great - they charge you $15K to install it yourself on top of the application rental, and the pricing goes up from there.

Outside of the emulation options - is there a "real" accounting package for the Mac that anyone here could recommend?

Bonus points if the backend is Filemaker, since we're already running the server.

[success]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Meanwhile, Ars noted earlier this week that the radical redesign of Quicken for Mac previewed for AppleInsider over 8 months ago at Macworld 2008 has thus far proven to be vaporware.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

WTF I remember the beautiful sexy "screen shots" I saw previewing the almost native Apple looking Quickbooks software. Vaporware? Wow Intuit really needs to change their name to Twit or something.

[Hal 9000]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

I've switched to Apple's Numbers.
It is hands down, the easiest and best personal finance software I have ever used.
I just created about 8 spread sheets that track:
-Debt
--Credit Cards
--Loans
-Payment Calendar
-Retirement Savings
-Investments
-FICO Score
-AT&T minutes calendar (helps me pace my usage)

Numbers creates beautiful charts that help me to see exactly where I'm at and keeps me motivated to keep improving my "numbers".

How so? where does the speadsheet retreive all this data? Or do you have to manually type it? Please reply....

[Frank777]

Is there any word on whether this version is built to handle the Canadian GST?

[Frank777]

Doesn't seem to have Credit Card processing or integration with any Receipt Scanning solutions. Fail.

[imarcw]

Still no mulit-user support?

Don't.
Even.
Bother.

[success]

Aren't we trying to get away from Excel like UI's and 80's spreadsheets? Maybe I just don't know enough about accounting. I have kept the books for a couple of my small businesses though and was getting used to Quickbooks. Always hoped for a nice new redesigned version for Leopard though.

I think being in 2008 and using Apple products means we should be able to present and use slick looking UI's and revolutionary applications helping us to get away from ol' school accounting.

Accounting should be no different than say the video or audio industry. Tape splicing to FCP / Avid -> spreadsheets and crappy UI's to creative looking and practical native Apple accounting apps.

No surprise though. Not that many creatives out there trying to reinvent the abacus.

[success]

Originally Posted by Frank777

Doesn't seem to have Credit Card processing or integration with any Receipt Scanning solutions. Fail.

LOL Please don't use my word. I invented FAIL


J/K 'FAIL' is the new PWNED isn't it?

[palegolas]

For a moment there, eyeing through the headlines, I thought Quickbook was the new Macbook.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by Sabon

Numbers may be great for you. I'm guessing that you have a very small business or use it just for personal use. That doesn't count it companies that aren't tiny.

If you read my post you would have seen that I only quoted the part regarding Quicken, not QuickBooks.

Originally Posted by Hal 9000

How so? where does the speadsheet retreive all this data? Or do you have to manually type it? Please reply....

As I get bills and make payments, I manually enter the data into the spreadsheets.
Again it isn't sophisticated but that is part of the beauty of it.
It is a pleasure to use and the beautiful graphs keep me on track.

[ncee]

We have been using QuickBook Pro for the Mac since the beginning and find it works very well for our small business.

Yes, there are features we'd like to see, i.e., multi-users, charts with the $ amounts shown under the columns, putting notes on the bottom of invoices, but not that info., show up when you print out statements.

Not much in the scheme of things.

Skip

[HyteProsector]

I spotted this on amazon at around 12:45 EST, I'm kinda surprised at how fast the article went up.

Anyways... Quickbooks for the iPhone. How does this work. For instance, can I enter data that I can have stored on the go? Will it be possible for me to keep track of my expenses from my iPhone? Because seriously, that's the one and only feature I'm looking for. Bookkeeping on the go. That would make my life a whole hell of a lot easier.

[iVlad]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

I've switched to Apple's Numbers.
It is hands down, the easiest and best personal finance software I have ever used.
I just created about 8 spread sheets that track:
-Debt
--Credit Cards
--Loans
-Payment Calendar
-Retirement Savings
-Investments
-FICO Score
-AT&T minutes calendar (helps me pace my usage)

Numbers creates beautiful charts that help me to see exactly where I'm at and keeps me motivated to keep improving my "numbers".

wow, Apple should use you for an ad. =)

[canadianmacguy]

It's nice to see a more modern UI on QuickBooks for the Mac.. looking forward to checking it out when it arrives!

[macfanatic]

...and develop proper versions of Quicken and QuickBooks for the Mac (and iPhone).

[justflybob]

Originally Posted by macfanatic

...and develop proper versions of Quicken and QuickBooks for the Mac (and iPhone).

Best idea I have heard in a long time....

[lkrupp]

Originally Posted by justflybob

Best idea I have heard in a long time....

Better yet, just start from scratch and develop iMoney 64bit for Snow Leopard.

[southerndoc]

Now if they will only release Quicken Financial Life soon!

[irnchriz]

Do they have a version of this for UK Mac users yet?

[MitchIves]

Originally Posted by aaarrrgggh

Is there any mac accounting software that doesn't suck!?

My sister called practically crying about how useless Quicken on a Mac was, but the most depressing issue was that the best solution is to use Parallels and run Quicken for Windows since all the native programs apparently suck as well!

How hard can it possibly be?! And when will there be a proper QuickBooks for Mac... or a great alternative?

Yes, it's called MYOB. I used to use it, and went to QB under Parallels as you describe (for eCommerce credit card sales automation). I was about to return to MYOB, but if they really did something here in QB 2009 for Mac, I might change my mind. Problem is, Intuit has a terrible track record with giving Mac users so much less. Meanwhile, MYOB hires a mac guy to run the new Mac division. Check out their new POS solution... available only on Mac. Now that looks promising. If they could only download shopping cart credit card directly into Mac MYOB (or QB's 2009 Mac), then we could drop the Parallels/Windows QB's like third period French!

[paxman]

Originally Posted by aaarrrgggh

So will this one not suck as much as all their other Mac attempts? Is there any mac accounting software that doesn't suck!?

My sister called practically crying about how useless Quicken on a Mac was, but the most depressing issue was that the best solution is to use Parallels and run Quicken for Windows since all the native programs apparently suck as well!

How hard can it possibly be?! And when will there be a proper QuickBooks for Mac... or a great alternative?

I have never heard a bad word about Moneyworks - I am planning on buying. It can work in happy unison with Daylite apparently, which is what I would love to check out. I wish someone would do an in depth review. Moneyworks can also be linked to Filemaker. I am presently using Simply Accounting with VMWare which works fine but is horrible to use, very non Mac, and can't link to Mail, iCal or Address Book. The lack of native mac integration is a major frustration and causes lots of extra work and data duplication.

Originally Posted by Frank777

Is there any word on whether this version is built to handle the Canadian GST?

Moneyworks can

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

If you read my post you would have seen that I only quoted the part regarding Quicken, not QuickBooks.



As I get bills and make payments, I manually enter the data into the spreadsheets.
Again it isn't sophisticated but that is part of the beauty of it.
It is a pleasure to use and the beautiful graphs keep me on track.

Good for you Johnny. That has no scalability when it extends beyond your own pocketbook.

QuickBooks are targeted at firms and small businesses that require managing merchant accounts, auditing and much more.

[Frank777]

Originally Posted by paxman

I have never heard a bad word about Moneyworks - I am planning on buying. It can work in happy unison with Daylite apparently, which is what I would love to check out. I wish someone would do an in depth review. Moneyworks can also be linked to Filemaker. I am presently using Simply Accounting with VMWare which works fine but is horrible to use, very non Mac, and can't link to Mail, iCal or Address Book. The lack of native mac integration is a major frustration and causes lots of extra work and data duplication.

Moneyworks can

MoneyWorks is the only Canadian solution available, so I'm familiar enough to know that it is solid software. That is, of course, once you get past the idea that its user interface is inspired by an ugly stepchild spawned by System 7 and that Linux thing.

Funny you should mention Daylite. Exact same problem. Amazing abilities rendered next to unusable by a complete and total lack of regard for proper user interface design.

Must be something in the Canadian water supply.

[dyp]

Originally Posted by rcarlton

I agree...

The one application keeping Windows in place at one of my clients is Quickbooks.

I'd be OK if their online product had feature parity with the desktop version, but it's got even less features than the Mac version (though the iPhone client is nice enough).

We looked at NetSuite - and while the product itself was great - they charge you $15K to install it yourself on top of the application rental, and the pricing goes up from there.

Outside of the emulation options - is there a "real" accounting package for the Mac that anyone here could recommend?

Bonus points if the backend is Filemaker, since we're already running the server.

Their online version of Quickbooks is useless since it required IE to run it.

[bugsnw]

Quickbooks... ahhh.. it's just numbers but they can't seem to figure out how to make it compatible across platforms let alone versions. I wouldn't expect 100%, but they aren't even close. So a medium sized accounting firm like ours has to suffer through PC and Mac versions that don't speak to each other. We strongly encourage all our clients to move to MYOB.

We use an industrial accounting package not suitable for a smaller business but in order to keep up with clients who do minor bookkeeping/taxes, you have to keep these consumer apps around.

MYOB does a really good job sharing files with multiple users. It's slow but they listen to their customers and improve the package accordingly.

We've tried all the others but you end up with something proprietary that no one else uses. Plus most of the others don't have nearly the same output via reports.

This can be fixed. I wish Apple had an interest in this area to show these people how to code.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

I've switched to Apple's Numbers.
It is hands down, the easiest and best personal finance software I have ever used.
I just created about 8 spread sheets that track:
-Debt
--Credit Cards
--Loans
-Payment Calendar
-Retirement Savings
-Investments
-FICO Score
-AT&T minutes calendar (helps me pace my usage)

Numbers creates beautiful charts that help me to see exactly where I'm at and keeps me motivated to keep improving my "numbers".

It seems like a regular accounting program would handle the first six items just as well, and would scale better to a small business or other financial changes than a spreadsheet would, and require less input and file management.

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

As I get bills and make payments, I manually enter the data into the spreadsheets.
Again it isn't sophisticated but that is part of the beauty of it.
It is a pleasure to use and the beautiful graphs keep me on track.

Accounting programs can generate graphs too.

[Virgil-TB2]

What I don't get is if this is a Mac program intended to win back Mac users that have strayed as their product deteriorated, why use "Windows blue" bars at the top of every page and control? replace the traffic lights with MS's window controls and this could pass for a windows program. Looks like Windows fonts as well. Bad Cider port of the Win version?

[Phil Sukalewski]

I run a small company that imports electrical products and sells them to other wholesales. I have independent reps in each state whom I pay on a commission basis. User interfaces are nice, but what I need for my business are the following functions in QB for Mac:


1. The ability to calculate & pay sales reps commissions instead of only on a salary basis. The commissions that I pay change based on the discount that they sell the product for, but the formula is simple. I also need the ability to split commissions when more than one sales rep is involved.

For any program writers out there here's an idea:
I found an add-on program for the Windows version of QB that calculates commissions automatically. Here’s the link:
http://www.geocities.com/llstinson/commcalc.htm
However, after contacting the programs author, he says he cannot convert it to the QB for Mac format.

2. The ability to pay patent royalties as a % of sales. Effectively this is the same as item 1.

3. Allow more than 11 characters in the PO field, needs to accept at least 20.

4. The ability to run a "QuickReport" on a vendor that shows all checks written, not just those linked to an invoice.

5. The ability to look up an invoice by inputting the invoice #.

[Frank777]

Either AI was wrong or Intuit moved up the release. It's now scheduled for the end of September.

Still no word on whether it handles the GST or the new Canadian cheque format.

[Levitate]

I"m not terribly happy with QB for Mac, but as far as I know, it is the ONLY package out there that supports multiple lines of business (classes). (For example, for separate rental properties.)

Right?

[smallbiz]

Originally Posted by Levitate

I"m not terribly happy with QB for Mac, but as far as I know, it is the ONLY package out there that supports multiple lines of business (classes). (For example, for separate rental properties.)

Right?

There are two more business packages in this price point for the Mac that are serious accounting packages - and easy to use. The first is FirstEdge. The second is AccountEdge. FirstEdge is made for the sole proprietor, or someone without a corporation, payroll or inventory. AccountEdge is made for someone who has a corporation, payroll or inventory and can handle very nicely and easily multi-user capability AND multi-currency (in case you do international business).

Both of them really have not only a creative person in mind, but other types of businesses as well. For example, a small product development firm; building contractors; computer consultants; medical, dental or chiropractic office; software developers; apartment building owners - all of these are examples of types of clients I have on this software.

They come with easy-to-set-up accounts, so you don't have to be a CPA to set up the books.

AccountEdge has payroll built in (so no extra fees). However, if you don't want to do payroll and deal with the IRS and deadlines, there's the fabulous MYOB SurePayroll, which works with FirstEdge, AccountEdge or QuickBooks.

These packages have been on the Mac since the very beginning and are available at http://www.myob-us.com . BONUS: Because they've been on the Mac since the beginning, they're very Mac-like, unlike QuickBooks which is trying to catch up. Moreover, MYOB has a solid core, so you can depend on no data loss as each transaction is saved as it's recorded.

Every year, MYOB adds features to FirstEdge and AccountEdge its' clients are asking for. These are not features some guys in a boardroom decided they should add to sell the product. They're features clients asked for.

Final Bonus of the MYOB product line. The customer support for MYOB is right here in the US. Not only do they know they have a Macintosh product, they love their Macintosh product and their users. The customer support team there is highly trained. Their chief trainer runs around the US and also trains end users. Finally, if you ever have to call QuickBooks customer support for the Mac (I try to make sure my clients don't have to), they will get India, and some of the customer support people do not know they have a Mac product, so give PC directions. It's really sad.

I do consulting for many Mac accounting packages, including MYOB and QuickBooks. It appears that Intuit has once again put more frosting on its QuickBooks 6 (a 1998 product), making it Leopard compatible and putting window dressing on features it already had. Intuit also does a nice job of reviewing the MYOB product and copying some of it's features.

It's navigator is somewhat like it's PC product, but somewhat more confusing. Also, it's sales and purchase registers are almost a copy of MYOB's (which MYOB has had for years). I haven't gotten to test the QuickBooks product yet, but the PC version of online banking requires that you work with certain banks, and you normally have to pay a fee to the bank for the integrated online banking feature. This is because Intuit charges the banks for them to use the feature. MYOB's is free.

There are lesser or greater products than MYOB or QuickBooks, but both of them do a nice job of doing accounting. If you're an accounting geek, there is also MoneyWorks (which is an international, not a US product). iBank (which is just a checkbook) and Marketcircle's Billings (which only does invoicing, but it's cool) are more lightweigh versions. Netsuite is state of the art full CRM and really, it needs configuration and setup, and it's a serious investment. There is also the ever-ancient Multi-Ledger, and the mid-level AcctVantage.

The Mac is ever more becoming a serious environment for business, so if you want to know more about real accounting packages for the Mac, check out Apple's web site at http://www.apple.com/business/solutions/accounting.html

[bugsnw]

Originally Posted by smallbiz

if you want to know more about real accounting packages for the Mac, check out Apple's web site at http://www.apple.com/business/solutions/accounting.html

Great summary there, smallbiz. Interestingly enough, that page you linked to has our firm profiled (Nelson Accounting). It's a couple years old and has since been reedited and chopped up a bit as Apple saw fit. It was really fun and educational and proved to be a good marketing and employment tool for us. We still get calls from all over the place from Accountants and Bookkeepers who've seen the profile and want to go all Mac and need a tip or two.

If you ever get a chance to be profiled, I'd highly recommend it.