Update May 2012
Crunch now has a free option!
Crunch Accounting’s online software, Solo, is available for free to freelancers, contractors and small/micro businesses. The software is similar to Crunch’s original premium product, minus the human support, but allows users to manage their bookkeeping, raise invoices, record expenses and view their tax liability in real time, all at zero cost!
“It’s Crunch’s mission to help the self-employed and small business community by continually improving our cost-effective accountancy services. Now we’re taking that one step further by offering our unique and powerful software for free!”
Darren Fell, MD Crunch Accounting
Hate doing your accounts and tax paperwork?
Most freelancers could do without this side to their business, but what if there was a way to make it easier and simpler?
I recently discovered a very useful UK service called Crunch, who provide an online accounting tool specifically for freelancers. It covers your invoicing, expenses, accounts paperwork and tax calculations, all in one place.
It offers a cost effective and simple way to manage all of this through a secure online application – which means you can access your accounts from any computer on the internet. But unlike other online tools you can still have access to a human being when you want to – a very good idea with accounts, as most of us have questions from time to time!
The main benefits
What do other freelancers think of it?
At the moment I’ve only used a demo account myself, so to give you an idea of what others think here are the reactions of two creative freelancers:
Jaime Kensley
Graphic designer and artworker
“After hours spent trawling the internet, calling local accountants and asking fellow freelancers I came across Crunch via Google. Having weighed up my options and the ease of the Crunch system I left my details and was immediately called back.
So far, so good. Every time I email my agent with a request, they respond straight away. This helps as there is obviously a lack of face-to-face contact, which you would normally have with an accountant.
I would definitely recommend it to freelancers who are in control of their finances and like to view an immediate catalogue of all the work they have been involved with.”
Adam Roberts
Photographer – adamroberts.net
“My first thought was ‘Yeah yeah another online accounting app designed by accountants that makes no sense to a creative person’. What I found was a simple clean interface that made sense to me. Things were explained in English not obscure accountants jargon.
It’s taken the frustration out of managing the money side of the business, freeing me up to do what I love.”
Summary
In all, there are some very positive things about Crunch which I’m sure will give traditional accountants a run for their money in the freelance market. It will suit and benefit most freelancers and give them a simpler way of running their business. Well worth looking into if you are frustrated by your current system or costs.
If you’re already a user, let us know what you think – please add your feedback in the comments below.
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So far I’ve had a wonderful experience using Crunch. I no longer seem to fall behind with my acconts. I just keep the online system up to date and my friends at Crunch do the rest – VAT returns etc. Very happy :)
Thanks Jack. Good to hear.
Why not just give your records to an accountant, then email them with any problems? Surely this cuts out all the effort of filling in your information online? A simple list of income and expenses spreadsheets and a date paid/received column would do exactly the same but much easier. Email it to your accountant and happy days.
Sure Glyn, good point but it’s a case of how much your accountant charges for it versus how long it takes you to do it on the go.
I agree with Glyn. I’m with Crunch and I find myself spending too much time trying to do my accounts through their system. Too many errors in reconciling statements. That’s what I ay an accountant to do. Essentially, I am paying them for a website and I’m doing my own accounting. Grates.
I have do disagree with Mr Switters and Glyn! I like the control I get with Crunch.
I have had bad experiences with “real” accountants and rarely understand what they are doing with the data I supply them, and why they are doing it. They also seem these days to be working for the tax man more than the client, and yes, they charge a fortune. Sure you can ask their advice, but you pay for every syllable, and the bill at the end of the year is rarely a pleasant surprise.
Crunch is not perfect (I’d like more reporting options for example, but they are on the way) but for me the advantages of controlling my data, having a view of my business performance on demand, having known fixed costs for the service, and not ever having to deal directly with brown envelopes from HMRC make it a no-brainer.
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