Opinions from those who use it?

Full blown pro vs Essentials or just the online version?

Consulting business with very little if any product movement, at least for now. Primarily $ coming in, out and depending on attorney recommendations, one or two person payroll.

With that small of a payroll you may want to see what a payroll provider would charge. They will cover all your quarterly and annual filings, as well as make sure all the taxes get to the right parties. I would imagine for a couple of employees it would be very reasonable.

I don't intend to hire anyone right now. Just myself. Not sure how attorney is gonna recommend I do this. Will find out Monday.

If I pay anyone to work with me it will be contract only for a while.

First place I'll advertise is aldeer..write that down skinny

Find an accountant, you will need one with a small business. They will tell you what software they want you to use. My accountant gives me updated quick books software when she thinks I need it. A good accountant doesn't cost you money but rather saves you money.

I'm still using just Quickbooks accounting and it does everything I need. I pay contract labor and don't do payroll but you can add the payroll package later if you ever need it.

We use QB to run our distribution company. Works great for us.

That's great advice. My accountant is who set mine up!

QB Pro 2013, works great and is easy to add payroll later if needed.

Here's an idea ... My accountant gives me remote access to his PC's at his office across town for $100/year. They have Quickbooks and Office installed on them so I use them for free and the $300 upgrades that come out every year I don't have to pay for

Qb pro.

I used it for years and it worked fine. I had some payroll sometimes and none others. I'd use it again in a second. It's great for invoicing and keeping up with your customers.

BINGO! Fatty, my brother and I just went through all this for our new business, so PM me any questions you want and I'll tell you what our attorney and/or our accountant has told us. Make sure you use a CPA firm, not a "I do taxes and keep books for people" accountant.

To give you an example, we were using the online version of QB's. Now we have QB Pro. There was a very good reason for us to go with QB Pro, but right now I can't remember what it was. LOL Make sure you get a CPA that supports Quickbooks. Some of them suggest not using it, because it competes for their business.

If I can help in any way, please let me know. We just spent the equivalent of half my years salary on accountants and lawyer consultation and work in buying this business. I'll be glad to share anything they recommended and give you the reason for it, if I can remember it.

Yep and find an accountant that gives you remote access to their PCs/QB software and save a ton of money

Also, I don't know what business you will be doing or how that will apply to this, but we found out we were "not in compliance with the law" on our employees.

Last year we didn't have any employees, so it didn't matter, but since March we had been paying the two guys as contract labor. Our plans were to send them a 10-99 at the end of the year. If they work in our shop and use our tools, everyday, then the gubmint doesn't consider that contracted labor, they consider those employees. We had to start withholding taxes and submitting them ourselves. Big old hairy pain in the neck, so we now have a girl that does all that.

By reading my firms QB license agreement, I'm not sure that's legal.

I'll echo what others have said. Find a good accountant to help you. As an accountant myself who deals with clients and QB's on a regular basis, you'll want/need the help eventually. You'll probably be better served finding a reputable local firm that deals with small businesses on a regular basis.