We're a small custom cabinet business with two partners. And we are trying to keep better track of expenses, tax information and generally have better organization of our finances that we can both have easy access to. I looked into Quickbooks and the various types of accounts they offer. But I'm curious to see what other people of the industry were using.

Have used QuickBooks Pro Contractor edition for probably 20 years. Does way more than I need. Easy to use once set up. All estimates, invoicing, reconciliation, bank accts, reports etc etc. Couldn't run my business without it. At least couldn't easily. Links to Turbo Tax at end of year. No brainer for me.

We moved to Quick books a few years ago.
You need a time sheet add in if you have employees, if your OT law is over 8, over 40 there are a few addins.

WIP and sales tax we manipulate outside of QB because of the different rates for every district..

We use the payroll addin but do our own ACH. If you have a bookkeeper you need to have some controls in place for reviewing any thing that is 100% electronic.

Accountant can login and make adjustments, accounts can cover if employees are gone and something needs done. You need to buy the desktop version about every 3 years.

Job cost and inventory get most of what we need.

If should do what you need.

A-

Skip the online version. (QBO) But I highly recommend the desktop version. We use it all of our bookkeeping, and the accountant can log in as needed from his office using a remote pc app. We don't track inventory, because we order materials per job. We use it to track job expenses, including employee hours, income and out-go. Profit and loss statements and balance sheets are easy to set up and access.

Jeff,
QuickBooks is an excellent choice for your business. We have worked with many shops over the years and QuickBooks is the dominant accounting software for most. You can start with a basic Pro edition and as your business needs grow, you can upgrade. We have some customers who have upwards of 180 employees and are still using QuickBooks.

I do recommend desktop edition as another poster suggested. This gives you full control of your software and data. And yes, always have a good backup plan in place.
Good luck!

I agree with LRE get the desktop. You'll have to pay for updates yearly, painful but worth it. Also set up bank link, that way you can connect to your bank and download transactions daily, you won't ever miss any cleared transactions then.

Quick Books is good. Make sure your accountant is Quickbooks certified(?). Something like that. It makes life easier and they can help you set it up right in the beginning.

I have used QB since 1995. It has kept me solvent (mostly) as a result. It will do all you need, but you need to hire a QB consultant to help you set it up for your particular situation. Some things are a real hassle if you set it up wrong, discover it, then have to change.

QB is moving to a subscription service - away from owing a bit of software. I prefer to own what I use, but they don't care.

Have someone set it up for you.

You can do the bookkeeping yourself but I have found that you time is better spent elsewhere.

Embezzlement is an under reported crime, combat this by reconciling your own checkbook (which is easy in QB). If it is going on it will be obvious.

I have yet to find an accountant that is not a QB expert.

What LRE said but more emphatically. Desk top is great but stay away from Online!

Thanks to all for the advice. Jury's in! looks like Quickbooks Desktop for sure.

We use quickbooks desktop and only update every 3 or 4 year when we have to.
Don't buy direct or upgrade from quickbooks. Search online and find a reputable software company to buy from.
Save a lot.

Having a link to directly download our CC charges is a must. If you you use their merchant services for your cc they are a little bit more expensive but you can send an email invoice your customers can pay from CC or pay direct from their checking account.

There is an app called QODBC.
If you use MS access at all, you can then add invoices and run better reports.

Keys for us:
Our production system creates invoices.
We send invoices by email.
Process our payments from our customers in minutes .
And download our expenses from our CC in minutes.

They are a bit full of themselves but you cant beat it right now.

This awesome! Will continue to use this.