MYOB Plus 2004 review:2 stars (Payroll update feature exploits users.) - This review applies to both MYOB Plus 12 and to MYOB 2004

This brief review supplements my other review of MYOB Plus 12. While I like MYOB in general, it should be noted that MYOB doesn't allow editing of payroll tax tables. You must import the payroll tables from MYOB, under the guise that MYOB cares about your tax tables being correct and up-to-date.

So, for example, in Minnesota in 2002, the wage base for state unemployment insurance tax was $21,000. This means that all wages up to $21,000 were subject to state unemployment taxes. Anything above that amount wasn't taxed for SUI. In 2003, the wage base was changed to $22,000.

In MYOB Plus 12 there is one single tax table for Minnesota UI. There sits the number $21,000 in its own little box. That's the table. But, you can't highlight it and change it to $22,000. That's all the update would need to do. And, many business users would know how to change this value, because this information is easily found on the state's UI site.

So, not able to change the silly number by yourself, if you go to MYOB's website and look for update options, you'll learn that tax table updates aren't free. You need to purchase the support option. Further, there is a basic support option for $90. That basic support option doesn't include being able to update the payroll tables! You need to purchase "complete" support to be able to update the tax tables at a cost of $250 per year.

If MYOB only cared about accuracy of the tax tables, why wouldn't they allow the basic support users to download the tax tables? Better yet, make the payroll tax tables free.

Needing to pay for payroll updates (and at the "Complete support" level!!) really bugs me. For this payroll "feature," I'll give MYOB one star. I don't like having my pocket picked! If you use MYOB's payroll function, you can't edit or import your own tax tables. You can only use tables purchased from MYOB at a premium price.

So, as the other reviewer pointed out, you'll need to pay for support. Be sure to update your tax tables during your 30 day free support service. But, then don't be surprised when you find yourself trying to highlight and change one silly little number and realize it costs you $250 to change it!
4 stars (A ray of hope..... How to decide for yourself) - I, like you, have been wading through the sea of worthless hyped information in search of a decent small business accounting package. I'm not an accountant, I am small business owner with a mission. When I asked my small biz friends what they were using the usual offer was to loan me a copy of their quickbooks cdrom. I declined each time while asking more probing questions. The #1 QB complaint was too many upsell ads followed by complaints about QB's cumbersome steps. All recommended at least 12 hours of self training before using QB. Three of five said they had quit using quickbooks pro. Two had outsourced accounting to a part time bookkeeper for about $1500 month. Over the years I worked in consulting. I was on the project team for installation and conversion of the worlds largest installation of Oracle Financials (at Zales Jeweler's). The moral learned was that consultants NEVER recommend something that cuts into future consulting revenue. So why do accountant's pitch QB??? Is it popularity, apathy or greed? Interesting that CNET reviews of QB don't display any score. CNET gives MYOB a 7.7 and SA is 7.0. So how could I possibly compare with that data? The answer is that it's not possible. While most people would give up and simply roll the dice on QB - My stubborn dedication drives me to seek a better answer.

Facts discovered so far:
1) ALL the old QB reviews are bad signs, Many of the old MYOB reviews were somewhat good with certain conditions.
2) MYOB offers a free flash tutorial & 30 day moneyback or you can take the trial download. http://www.myob.com
3) Small business owners are pioneers, control freeks, willing to give-up a steady paycheck to purse an uncertain path to their dreams. We take our chances and make our own money. I can't get ahead by just following the pack.
4) You will have to invest some effort to learn a new product. I planned on 12 hours over one weekend.
5) I need a good solid bookkeeping system. Advanced forcasting just does not apply in small business. We always want more and need to focus on better marketing & promotions. No accounting package would have forcasted my sales growth correctly. A good promotion can completely change your future. (You can really kick start sales with "Free Publicity" by my new friend Jeff Crilley (Fox News) and "Ultimate Marketing Plan" by Kennedy).
6) I will always have to pay for annual upgrades anyway.
7) You should expect tech support is usually a low paid warm body reading from the manual. Good training on my end is the better strategy for most issues. (search on myob training)

I downloaded the free trial from MYOB.com along with the tutorial. My control freek nature wants to make a program conform to me, but I have agreed to give it a chance using it as designed. Next week I will reload the system and begin using it for daily operations. So far it looks good for my service business... Try it yourself before cratering to QB. Your future may depend on it.

I wish you all the best in your endeavor,
David Cannon
President
CertTest Training Centers - Management Certification Training
http://www.certtest.com3 stars (Quickbooks Converters be cognizant...) - I ordered this product knowing that it had a freely available Quickbooks converter. The Quickbooks converter, while simple, did not do what I had hoped: 1) For any bank accounts, it carried over the balance accurately but it did not carry the register. 2) Transactions carry over as "historical transactions." You will not be able to see the specific details of these transactions (apart from the balance) in MYOB.3) Along with that, if you run a statement on any preconversion purchases, all it will say is "Preconversion Sale" which is confusing to a customer who has no idea you "converted." I have not found a way to edit this.4) It didn't pull my customer data well. The data is all there but it put the customer name in the address field as well as the name field so my invoices come out with the name twice and then the address. 5) Also know that you have to pick a conversion date and it must be the first of a month. It will not accept any transactions dated prior to that conversion date.The software in and of itself is decent. I have some minor issues with the fact that I can't use my scrolling mouse and that the form customization interface doesn't have tool tips but otherwise the interface is not too difficult to navigate and I haven't come across any major problems that weren't directly related to the conversion.
MYOB Plus 2004 Features:
Computer software (programs)
Office Suite (Suites)
Bundle (Bundles)
Accounting (Account)
CD
Powerful accounting management tools to help you run your business
Email financial and management reports, invoices, quotes, and orders
Send reports to Microsoft Excel; create ready-made letters with links to Word
Track your profit and loss and other financials with a click of the mouse
Accept credit cards and offer your employees direct deposit

MYOB Plus 2004 is the CD-ROM version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around 239.99USD.