[Macworld]

Post your comments for First Look: QuickBooks 2009 here

[ccurtisny]

how does it compare to the latest windows version? I had to switch to windows version to work with accountant better, but i am ITCHING to go back to the mac version because it would make using it a lot more efficient. Is there better parity with the 2? like "accountants copy" or a better round trip?

[SpikeDDS]

From the Quickbooks website:
Differences between QuickBooks for Windows and Mac
QuickBooks for Windows and Mac offer the same basic set of financial management tools, but have some differences too. Depending on which version of QuickBooks you compare to, the differences can be significant. Check the list below to see if any of these situations apply to you. If so, you should continue to use QuickBooks for Windows.
Do you currently use QuickBooks Payroll?
Do you use merchant account services?
Do you use other applications that integrate with QuickBooks?
Do you use QuickBooks for online bill pay or funds transfer?
Do you need more than one person to access your company file at the same time?4
Do you use inventory assemblies?5
Do you use industry-specific reports and features?5
'Nuff said.
Staying with Windoze version via Fusion TYVM.
David R. Boag, DDS

[Ramukaka]

Anyone know any decent accounting software that supports multi-currency entries and calculations on a Mac?
It is difficult to find similar solutions for Windows but more so on a Mac so any guidance will be much appreciated.
Thanks!

[AndrewRodney]

I don't get it, it has to be an issue with Quickbooks in terms of on line banking that's still a deal breaker for me. I use Quicken and Wells Fargo, it supports all the on line banking I need in a two year old version. Yet Quickbooks 2009 can't as indicated by Wells Fargo:
Attention QuickBooks 2009 MAC Users
The QuickBooks Macintosh software will be available for Direct Connect enrollment this year, however, please note that the software has limited online banking functionality and does not support fund transfers between accounts or online banking bill pay.
So why is it the newest version of Quickbooks can't provide the same functionality as a two year old, far less expensive product?

[ccurtisny]

SPIKEDDS, I already found that. It mentions round trip, but not if you can just share file between mac and PC without converting it every time (its hidden in the "notes" link near the bottom.

[mitchcohen]

This appears to be a nice facelift, without the changes that have caused many users frustrations.
The two single most important features that have caused many of my customers to leave Quickbooks/Mac:
-Accountant's Copy: QB for Windows can send a specially formatted version of your data file to your accountant. Your accountant can then send you a file in response (fixing errors etc), which you import into your existing file. You don't need to stop using QB while you wait for your accountant's response. QB/Mac has no ability to do this, and thus it's nearly impossible to interact with your accountant the way you should. When I try to move folks from Windows to Mac, this is the #1 dealbreaker from the business side.
-Network functionality: As others have stated above, there's no way to share the same QB data file over a network. Even in small offices, accounting functions are often split between people. Even if there's one bookkeeper, the owner will want to generate his/her own reports. This sounds trivial but it's caused so many headaches...
Both of these functions are dealbreakers for massive numbers of people, and both would be simple functions to add. Intuit has focused on trivial and window-dressing functionality. This update appears to have more window dressing than prior versions, but not much more.

[reyespoint]

MYOB Account Edge has no problem handling and converting multiple currencies.

-Jeff Battersby

[mensadoc]

Sadly, the new QuickBooks 2009 for Mac STILL does not include automatic payroll (as the PC version does). I'd love to ditch the last PC from our otherwise all-Mac office, but we can't unless we were willing to go back to manually entering our payroll data, forms, etc.

[flybynight]

Looks like they prettied it up, but how about actual function? We need multi-user and file format parity with the Windows version. Why is this so hard?

[bigpics]

Based on comments by QB users and my own experience, I'm sticking with my perfectly functional MYOB First Edge -- which for a small business like mine, an LLC with 2 employees, does everything I need to a) file a clean, accurate, audit-strength tax return and b) generate all the key reports I'm interested in.
I know how it works so I can do without all the new QB eye candy.
It also costs half of what QB costs, seems (generally) fully Mac-Like, and best of all, MYOB provided a free Windows version of their program to my accountant.
I can't speak about how round-tripping works between Win and Mac since we've never done that and I also am not much interested in integrating my banking and accounting given that my rental business doesn't generate many checks or deposits -- I write my checks and deposit slips by hand -- they show up in my online banking, and I only have to enter transactions on my Mac once, in MYOB, so your mileage may vary.
But there are lower cost alternatives to QB with no more drawbacks, and from what I can tell, better, more personalized support -- though I only needed any twice in the beginning, and then only because I'd never used a computerized bookkeeping system before. And as noted, even as a tyro, I was able to get up and running in a few days.
Intuit has always had a hot/cold relationship with Mac users. Maybe they're getting it, maybe not, by MYOB has always, to my limited knowledge, given parity to their Mac products.

[walfy]

Looks like no payroll still. That really sucks.

[akulavolk]

I'd gladly pony up for a Mac version IF it had feature parity with the current version of QB Premiere for Windows.
I have to run QB via Parallels right now because QB for Mac doesn't support credit card transactions like the PC version. Nor does it handle inventory. And I don't think it supports shipping plugins for FedEx/UPS.
All of this stuff is a basic part of business now-days.
I tried MYOB, but it's got a horrible non-Mac like interface and some severe limitations. Make a typo mistake on a saved transaction and the only way to change it is to deal with credit to balance out the debit. What a hassle! Should be able to change a transaction if it was just a mistake.
C'mon Intuit. Give us a Mac version with the same features you offer for Windows...

[txturbo]

This version is useless.
Think about it Intuit... What company would use all the features you have included and not need multi user capability or payroll?
Why even come out with a new program, what a waste.
Cover flow and a cool front page? This is nice candy but won't help me make a dime.
What kind of software development team would put cover flow and I cal integration above networking and payroll? Do you make video games too?
I have waited for a long time for this.. The one thing we needed was networking and we got cover flow.
I will be looking into MYOB now...