Kevin Cullis: How to Start a Business Mac Version

While you start your business with a product or server, startup entrepreneurs need to track their business with accounting software, here’s a list of what I have found, from the simplest to the more detailed, from free to hundreds of dollars.

1. iWork Numbers (iWork $79, checkbook template is free): There’s a template in iWork Numbers that if you have a bank that can download QFX file format, you can drag and drop the file into this template and customize to your hearts content.
2. Checkbook ($15 Single, $25 Family): A simple checkbook program.
3. Checkbook Pro ($25 Single, $40 Family): Expanded version of Checkbook above.
4. SEE Finance ($30): A very capable version to the original Quicken. I much prefer this application for my needs. The export transactions to QIF, CSV, and TXF files is a great boon for dealing with accountants and CPAs.
5. Koku ($32): A tagged based checkbook that manages personal finance.
6. Easy Money ($20): Simple checkbook.
7. Quicken Essentials for Mac 2010 ($50): The best feature: categories and tags. Worst feature: More basic from previous versions. Use to be Ca-Ching, but merged with Intuit. A software review and another software review.
8. Express Accounts Easy Accounting Software: Mac and Windows, this small business accounting package does a lot.
9. iCash ($50): A business accounting software. It is a rather extensive money manager with plenty of details that might be beyond most financial needs, but as a low cost application with plenty of details, iCash does well. Not very well done on the eye candy compared with other apps, but lots to work with. Runs on both Windows and Mac and file format compatitable.
10. Liquid Ledger ($50+): Personal finance program that can be used for a small business.
11. MoneyDance ($50): Uses categories and subcategories and includes tags. Runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Has a free iPhone app. Not as nice as other eye candy financial apps.
12. MoneyWorks Gold (Version: Cashbook $99, Express $279, Gold $599, Datacentre $1999): Your accountant gets a free version.
13. iBank: Personal finance and small business. Multiple subcategories. It has an iPhone version.
14. Moneywell ($49 Single, $79 Family). It has an iPhone version of the software.
15. Books ($250): A more advanced accounting, job costing, contact management application.
16. MYOB Accountedge ($299): Has free mobile version. They send a free copy to your accountant!
17. Xero ($20/month+): Online small business accounting. Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.

The one aspect that I want most in an accounting package is not only split transactions (where amounts are split into different categories), but I look for subcategories of the categories, i.e. if I have an Auto expense category, I want to have Auto:Gas or Auto:Insurance categories as well.

Reviews of Mac accounting software

• Mac 360: Top 10 Best Mac Money Apps To Replace Quicken.

There are also more choices available at Apple’s web site for Third Party software downloads.

Now we have Quickbooks 2010 released at $199 for the Mac. Take a look at see how it fits your financial needs. It requires any Mac running Leopard or Snow Leopard.