Whirlpool

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Theres a small list here. www.linuxlinks.com/Softw...ncial/Accounting
You need to consider whether you're looking for software for a real business, or something more SOHO/personal finance.
Real accounting systems focus on processing large volumes of transactions, and producing Financial Reports, (aka Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Statements).
SOHO/personal systems focus on helping you track the balance your check account.
HTH
-BG

One thing to consider is that the ATO change the tax schedule on a regular basis, making it difficult for free software groups to cater for a small user base like Australian Linux using accounting users. And any overseas based Linux accounting package wouldn't have the correct tax scales for Australian use. That is why companies like MYOB manage to lock companies into a yearly fee.

It is also why MYOB premier is the last windows program I haven't found a reasonable alternative for (well under linux anyway) and the reason I still dual boot this box (I use win4lin for the same reason on my other desktop box).

Home finance is a different issue and there are some alternatives to things like M$ Money or Quicken.

I like gnucash for personal finance.

As for business accounting and GNU/Linux, the applications are not as refined as MYPB or quicken, but there are some good applications around.

If you know all the accounting terms etc then you should be fine.

Have a squiz at these:
Quasar
Linux Ledger
SQL Ledger
Kalculate
Calamar
KMyMoney

Regards
Un-Nefer

This is what I'm using:

www.weberp.org

It's web based so it can be accessed by any platform. It supports GST, activity reports etc. and is easily customisable (php).

Also its totally free (as in freedom, GPL)

jabiru658 writes...

One thing to consider is that the ATO change the tax schedule on a regular basis, making it difficult for free software groups to cater for a small user base like Australian Linux using accounting users

Accounting was invented around 500 years ago by Cotrugli and Pacioli, and the system of debits and credits used by all accounting systems is the same worldwide.
Taxation was invented much more recently, and as observed above, is different in each country.
So, if its an accounting system you're after, you're in luck because all the good ones work worldwide. Maybe start with SAP (not yet open source) and work your way down from there.
If you're after something to look after your taxes, then regrettably you are indeed gonna be limited to choosing a system that has been Australianised.

ßlueGroper writes...

If you're after something to look after your taxes, then regrettably you are indeed gonna be limited to choosing a system that has been Australianised.

It isn't a matter of having something to do ones taxes as such.

Very small business accounting programs tend not to have payroll modules. Very large businesses tend to have payroll departments with dedecated payroll software or outsourced payroll.

Small to medium businesses often do thier own wages and it's often easier to use a fully featured accounting program that doesn't just do ledgers but also have invoicing, stock, job costing and payroll modules.

My point was that there isn't (as far as I've found) an Linux accounting program with an 'Australianised' (to borrow your term) payroll module.

And payroll is something essential for my business at least.

YMMV of course :)

jabiru658 writes...

(I use win4lin for the same reason on my other desktop box).

Are you running MYOB with win4lin? If so, how well?

MYOB is the main reason I am still using Windows. Tried CrossoverOffice - no go.

Quickbooks may work OK under CrossoverOffice but I haven't tried it yet. www.codeweavers.com/site.../name/?app_id=73

Whether it supports the latest version, I don't know.

I also use Payroll & need it for my BAS.

companies like MYOB manage to lock companies into a yearly fee.

really annoys me!!

jabiru658 writes...

YMMV

????

define:ymmv

jabiru658 writes...

And payroll is something essential for my business at least.

So maybe you should get a linux real accounting system (plenty listed above),
and then just pick up a copy of any cheap australian payroll package to handle the wages. Look for a payroll system that lets YOU enter the tax table parameters manually. The tables are all available from the ATO. Then you're NOT locked into extortionate annual updates from the likes of MYOB. Their stuff is such mousebound crap, they've made it impossible to enter a decent volume of transactions into MYOB within a reasonable time. Thats the main reason why MYOB will only ever be suitable for SOHO and personal businesses.
Good luck with your accounts.

Westmeath writes...

Are you running MYOB with win4lin? If so, how well?

It runs fine under Win4Lin. I haven't had any issues with it at all. The speed is only just barely slower than it is on the same box when booted into windows.

jabiru658 writes...

It runs fine under Win4Lin.
The problem with Win4Lin is that you still need to install Windows :P

ßlueGroper writes...

So maybe you should get a linux real accounting system (plenty listed above),
and then just pick up a copy of any cheap australian payroll package to handle the wages. Look for a payroll system that lets YOU enter the tax table parameters manually. The tables are all available from the ATO

We have staff employed under one of the more complicated federal transport awards. There are allowances for just about everything under the sun. As well as multiple pay rates for very small differences in what they are actually driving.

To be honest I'm not aware of any Linux payroll programs that will link to an electronic time clock. I'm not saying there are not, but I'm not aware of one.

As for the volume of transactions that isn't an issue. Most of our income is consolidated in government contracts (which are paid as 1 monthly direct deposit into our account). Most of the rest is in supply of transport services to a small number private schools on a daily basis.

Our payroll module is _easily_ the most used portion of our accounting program. The yearly payroll is of the order of 2 million per year (as I said... small/medium),and we have 3 office staff who share data entry duties on the lan (along with other duties) so it would need to be multi-user and the accounting program would need to be able to import the payroll programs output with minimal user intervention. The number of payroll classes is in the vicinity of 70 (which is duplicated for single time, time and a half, double time, passive time, lunch away time, public holiday double time and a half, public holiday triple time). Service grants which vary each year (based on a date commencing 2 years after hiring) apply for the first 15 years, then plateau (unless of course the employee was first employed before a particular date in the mid 1990's in which case a different table applies). Superannuation varies from the flat 9% and doesn't apply to certain classes of allowances, but does apply to others. It doesn't apply to various penalty rates and does apply to others. I could go on... but you get the point... it's a complicated wage award.

We looked at outsourcing the wages, but after attempting (twice with two different companies) to explain the requirements we went back to doing the wages inhouse. The requirement for the wage week to finish at Sunday on 12pm and for the wages to be in the accounts of the staff by close of banks Tuesday is also a limiting factor for outsourced wages.

I have looked briefly at the programs above, but none of them mention the ability to import payroll records (or a program that would do so). That would seem to require manual entry of the payroll details on a weekly basis (the wage costs of which would in little time be more than the yearly MYOB Premier fee).

But if you have any specific suggestions I'd be more than happy to listen.

define:ymmv

"your mileage may vary"...

Un-Nefer writes...

The problem with Win4Lin is that you still need to install Windows :P

Indeed... annoying...

What? You expected me to disagree with you? *grin*

*edit*

FWIW Windows 98 under Linux is _lots_ more stable than Windows native is. I keep meaning to get Win4LinPro which supports Windows 2000 (XP?) but then I tell myself it isn't broken so why fix it...

Hi
i am looking for a linux accounting package.
i only need basic stuff, not payroll or anything like that atm.
these 2 look promising....
www.weberp.org
and
www.sql-ledger.com

anyone used either?

Not sure if the Linux version is available here in Oz

But check out ACCPAC

sageproerp.com/products/linux

sageaccpac.com/company/worldwide/australia

KK

Fez writes...

anyone used either?

Yes thanks.

also found this one
Quasar Accounting
www.linuxcanada.com
it is gpl now too.

edit:
just noticed that this one is mentioned above

ßlueGroper writes...

Fez writes...
anyone used either?

Yes thanks.

BlueGroper - which one have you used? and why?
cheers

Some brief notes from my earlier review (and possibly others).

1. webERP
php and sql database seems OK.
Reports are basic, must do order before invoice.
Cannot easily disengage unneeded modules, eg Inventory, purchasing.
User sees many sql error messages

2. NOLA
Careful with need to delete apache and php prior to installing ?

3. gnuCash
Manages personal finances

4. Turbocash
www.turbocash.co.za
Delphi, firebird database

6. TAPS
Looks like ERP and CRM focus rather than accounting.

7. phpBMS
Looks like ERP and CRM focus rather than accounting.

8. www.sql-ledger.org
Looks heavy duty, but possible to customise.
Customisation is part of the design culture, eg templates.
Very few preferences or conf settings, but possible to add.
Uses perl and postgres
Open source code, but commercial support, even the manual is commercial.

I've decided to use SQL-Ledger. There's lots about SL that is excellent.
There's some things I'd like to improve, but overall it suits my needs better than the others. YMMV.

Conclusion. Very difficult to be conclusive about which package is better. Depends upon your exact needs.

The Lastest Crossover Office supports various models of Quickbooks including Premier which is a very similar program to MYOB.

Further details are available at www.codeweavers.com/products/cxoffice including a 60 day trial.

MYOB is listed as "Untested"