Description:
Small business owners have enough problems without adding accounting headaches. Though there's still no perfect substitute for professional services, Peachtree Complete Accounting 2002 can keep down the number of hours spent in consultation enough to pay for itself. Even a business with its own accounting staff will find the software's scalability and networking features tremendously helpful. All the basics are covered: invoicing, payroll, check writing, and more. Power users will love working with the business reports and tracking features that make full use of e-mail and other relatively new tools to improve efficiency. Users with little experience working with computers or with accounting procedures may need some help installing and setting up this package--the online documentation is quite good and will offer novices the guidance they need. The networking option offered requires a bit more investment of time and money; each copy of Peachtree Complete Accounting 2002 is limited to one user. (Although there are package deals available.) Because this is one of the sources of the software's uniqueness, potential buyers should carefully consider how much they will need to spend to use this feature. Many of the Web-based services, while good, are better left to other software: building a Web site and developing e-commerce, for example. But those side features aren't what most users want from an accounting package. Overall, Peachtree Complete Accounting 2002 provides the best core financial services for its small business users. Those who need more than bookkeeping and less than a downtown accounting firm will find it just the right fit. --Rob Lightner
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