Sage Accounting

Overview of Sage accounting software – also known as Sage Business Cloud Accounting

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What is Sage Accounting?

Sage accounting is the UK’s bestselling cloud accounting software for small business owners, the self-employed and sole traders. Sage accounting (previously known as Sage One) is an easy to use cloud-based accounting solution that gives you control over your accounts, finances, invoicing, VAT, and cash flow.

The Sage accounting software is easy to use and is hosted in the Cloud by Sage, so you do not need to install the accounts system onto your own computer as it is accessed via the web.

New software updates for Sage accounting are automatically applied by Sage at one of their secure datacentres, so there is no need to upgrade your accounts system.

One of the keys strengths of Sage accounting is that it integrates seamlessly with other solutions from Sage and other software vendors. Sage accounting links with Sage payroll and other apps such as Stripe Invoice payments, AutoEntry expense management, see the full list of Sage accounting add-on’s from Sage’s marketplace.

About Sage Accounting

Sage Accounting was originally launched in the UK and Ireland in 2011 and was known as Sage One. Sage accounting is a set of small business management tools that offers accounting, payroll, payments and time-tracking tools for small businesses and sole traders. Sage Accounting is part of the Sage Business Cloud product range.

Download the Sage accounting brochure and product guide
Online Software

Looking for a more powerful cloud based Sage accounts system for larger SMB businesses and medium sized businesses, call us on 0330 043 0140 or email us at info@alphalogics.co.uk or for further information on alternatives such as Sage Intacct.

Download the New Sage Intacct Brochure in PDF format

Sage Accounting - An Intro to Sage Accounting

What is Sage Accounting software used for?

Managing your small business finances, can be a complicated and time-consuming task, and by using an easy to use accounting solution such as Sage accounting will help you manage all aspects of your finances, from creating invoices, managing cash flow to submitting VAT returns online to HMRC.

Easily manage your Cash flow and invoicing

  • Sage Accounting enables you to easily manage your cash flow, invoicing and purchase invoices
  • Quickly see what you’re owed, manage late payments, and schedule supplier payments.
  • Track expenses and receipts using the Sage accounting AutoEntry module
  • Speed up processing using the automated bank reconciliation feature in Sage Accounting
  • Create and send personalised invoices, and give your business documents a professional edge
  • Manage purchase invoices
  • Sage Accounting software allows for simple, powerful VAT management
  • Send quotes and estimates
  • Manage and Submit CIS (Construction Industry Scheme)
  • Quickly and easily calculate VAT
  • Reconcile to only pay what you owe with Sage Accounting
  • Automatically file returns securely online with HMRC

Sage Accounting – What is it Used For?

What are the different versions of Sage Accounting?

Sage accounting is available in three different versions which are targeted towards specific business sizes.  The three different versions are Sage accounting Start, Standard, and the most comprehensive feature rich version is Sage accounting Plus.

  • Sage Accounting Start – ideal for sole traders with a maximum of 1 user.
  • Sage Accounting Standard – has all the features of Start but has more features such as quotes and estimates and purchase invoices.
  • Sage Accounting Plus – the most comprehensive version with features such as multi-currency and inventory.

Sage Accounting Start (UK) - Introduction

What are the Features in Sage Accounting?

There are three versions of Sage Accounting which all have different levels of features and software functionality, the entry level version is Sage Accounting Start and the most advanced version is the Plus version.

Features – Sage Accounting Start

  • Create and send sales invoices
  • Track what you’re owed
  • Automatic bank reconciliation
  • Calculate and submit VAT
  • Be Making Tax Digital Ready for VAT
  • Supports one user

Features – Sage Accounting Standard

  • Create and send sales invoices
  • Track what you’re owed
  • Automatic bank reconciliation
  • Calculate and submit VAT
  • Be Making Tax Digital Ready for VAT
  • Supports unlimited users
  • Manage and submit CIS
  • Run advanced reports
  • Send quotes and estimates
  • Forecast cash flow
  • Manage purchase invoices
  • Snap receipts with AutoEntry, 2 months free(2)

All three versions of Sage accounting are Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant.

What is Making Tax Digital (MTD)?

Looking for a more powerful cloud based Sage accounts system for larger SMB businesses and medium sized businesses, call us on 0330 043 0140 or email us at info@alphalogics.co.uk or for further information on alternatives such as Sage Intacct.

Features in Sage Accounting Plus

  • Create and send sales invoices
  • Track what you’re owed
  • Automatic bank reconciliation
  • Calculate and submit VAT
  • Be Making Tax Digital Ready for VAT
  • Supports unlimited users
  • Manage and submit CIS
  • Run advanced reports
  • Send quotes and estimates
  • Forecast cash flow
  • Manage purchase invoices
  • Snap receipts with AutoEntry, 2 months free(2)
  • Multi-currency banking and invoicing
  • Manage inventory

Sage Accounting (UK) - VAT Returns

How Much Does Sage Accounting Cost?

Pricing for Sage Accounting licences start from a very affordable £12 per month for the Sage Accounting Start edition, from £26 per month for Sage Accounting Standard version and from £33 per month for the Plus edition. Licence costs do change, so its best to check out the latest pricing from the Sage UK website.

The cost of Sage Accounting is based on a subscription only pricing plan (SaaS), where fees are paid on a monthly basis. Sage regularly offers great incentives to start using Sage Accounting, see the latest offers and Sage accounting pricing plans.

The monthly subscription cost of Sage accounting will increase if you want to add add-ons such as Payroll and AutoEntry for expense management.

What Industry Sectors Use Sage Accounting?

Sage accounting is targeted for use by small business owners, the self-employed and sole traders across a range of industry sectors, the most popular vertical sectors include:

Sage Accounting - Bank reconciliation

Sage Accounting – Pros and Cons – Strengths and Weaknesses

There are a large number of users for Sage accounting in the UK including many small business owners, sole traders and the self-employed, however it is not ideal for larger businesses who have more complex accounting requirements and processes, and it is not very flexible or configurable. 

Strengths and Pros for Sage accounting software

  • Easy to use and intuitive
  • Offers simple cloud accounting core functionality
  • Good value
  • Easy to learn with the minimum amount of training needed
  • Ideal for small business owners, sole traders and the self employed

Weaknesses and Cons for Sage accounting

  • Lacks advanced accounting features
  • Not very flexibly and customisable
  • Cannot automate complex accounting processes
  • Does not work well in larger SMB companies or medium sized businesses
  • Does not adapt well for fast growing businesses who need an accounting system that adapts as they grow

Sage accounting Customer Case Study

Cloud accounting software alternatives to Sage Accounting

If you are looking for a more advanced accounting software solution to replace Sage accounting, you may want to consider either Sage 200 or Sage Intacct. Both accounting systems are available for use in the Cloud and offer a wide range of innovative and powerful features, see our comparison guide between Sage 200 and Sage Intacct.

Both Sage Intacct and Sage 200 offer more advanced accounting features and are a popular choice for larger small to medium sized (SMB’s) enterprises.

Sage Intacct - What is it?

Looking for a more powerful cloud based Sage accounts system for larger SMB businesses and medium sized businesses, call us on 0330 043 0140 or email us at info@alphalogics.co.uk or for further information on alternatives such as Sage Intacct.

Book a Sage Intacct Demonstration

About AlphaLogix – Contact Us to Discuss Sage Business Cloud Solutions

Found in 1995, AlphaLogix is one of the largest and most established Sage business partners in the UK, our accounting experts are all fully accredited for Sage business cloud software solutions and can help you with your accounting software requirements.

We provide a wide range of Sage professional services for businesses including software setup, installation, configuration, report design, integration, data migration, upgrades, add-on apps and bespoke training courses.

  • Sage accounts setup and implementation
  • Configuration
  • Consultancy
  • Report and dashboard design service
  • Bespoke Sage training for Sage 200, Sage Intacct and Sage 50
  • Sage accounts layout services
  • Data repairs and data migration services
  • Sage e-mail setup – you will no longer need to print and post your documents such as statements and invoices
  • Integration with other business applications
  • Sage for Manufacturing
  • Hosting Sage in the Cloud
  • Installation and setup of add-on apps from Sage marketplace
  • Website integration
  • Sage e-commerce and Amazon integration
  • Help desk and technical support
  • Sage payroll setup and integration
  • Plus, lots more.

Further Information

Sage Accounting vs Sage Intacct

Sage one vs Sage 50