Ease of Use:  

Peachtree has a lot of features and functions, but is simple to learn and easy to use.

Help/Documentation:  

Most of our questions were answered with Navigation Aid. Also, each screen had a help icon. Peachtree also has a help menu on the top tool bar with links to user manuals, online support, and demonstrations.

Accounts Receivable:  

Peachtree's Accounts Receivable Section is called Sales. Here you can do all the basics and more—even view sales tax codes or track sales reps.

The start-to-finish view of each transaction is one feature that puts Peachtree above the rest; this allows you to see exactly what steps to follow and in what order.

Accounts Payable:  

Peachtree's Accounts Payable Section is powerful but simple; you can create custom purchase orders, quotes, and vendor credit memos; print checks and tax forms, but you cannot customize vendor checks.

Payroll:  

This section has everything you need to process Payroll quickly and easily. You can run Payroll for some or all employees, print checks, void checks or directly deposit funds.

Inventory:  

The user-friendly Inventory Section lets you make adjustments quickly, create assemblies (items to sell as a group), add stocking locations, include product descriptions, and specify the cost method you prefer.

Banking:  

Peachtree has all the tools you need to reconcile accounts, make deposits, and six different reports.

Time Billing:  

Within this section you can create expense tickets, daily and weekly time tickets, and sales invoices-all printable. You can also create and print up to ten different Time/Billing reports.

Job Costing:  

With this tool, you can estimate costs for specific jobs, specify cost codes, and divide jobs according to their phase. You can also track jobs and specify completion—from 0% to 100%. This section has twelve different reports available.

General Ledger:  

Peachtree has excellent General Ledger Entry choices. You can change accounting periods, make ledger entries, and register accounts. There are seven reports available in this section.

Fixed Assets:  

Peachtree lets you manage up to 200 different fixed assets—anything beyond that requires a monthly charge.

If you're looking for outstanding accounting software, this is it. Peachtree Complete has everything you need to manage your small business finances smoothly and successfully.

Ease of Use:  

QuickBooks is easy to use. The program has simple navigation toolbars that help you find your way around quickly. The main navigation toolbar offers you the easiest route to tools you'll need; clicking it signals a graphic menu to pop up. This shows you exactly what you need to do (and in what order).

QuickBooks installation was fast and simple, and it will run with Vista. Setting up a new company was easy

Help/Documentation:  

The Help Section is first-rate. Its easy-to-use search tool helps you find help on the topic you want quickly and easily. QuickBooks also includes a help button on every option, and frequently asked questions are spelled out in a Quick Help Menu.

Accounts Receivable:  

QuickBooks' Accounts Receivable tools are in the Customer Section. The only tasks you can't complete in this section are creating recurring invoices and estimating shipping costs.

Accounts Payable:  

The Accounts Payable features are found in the Vendors Section. Here you can perform all common Accounts Payable tasks, but also you can access some Inventory tools as well.

Payroll:  

You can find all the Payroll features in the Employee Section of QuickBooks, including direct deposit.

Inventory:  

The Inventory Section is located under Item in the upper tool bar. From here you can manage all the items and services for your business. You can create drop shipments, specify costing methods, and inactivate items. But to make Inventory adjustments and assemblies, you'll have to go to the Vendors List.

Banking:  

The Banking Section is excellent; however, we couldn't find out how to void existing checks.

Time Billing:  

The Employee Section of QuickBooks covers time billing; this isn't a separate section as in many accounting programs. This program allows you to track both daily and weekly time and comes with an integrated timer.

Job Costing:  

Job Costing tools are in the Customers Section of QuickBooks. From this list you can track jobs, set them as active or inactive, and create job estimates to analyze if the job is worth the cost.

General Ledger:  

The Company Section is the closest tool we found to the General Ledger, common in most accounting software programs. From here you can set budgets, manage cash flow, perform forecasting and business planning, and view a chart of accounts.

Fixed Assets:  

QuickBooks doesn't include a Fixed Assets Section, but there is a simple report available to list company assets.

QuickBooks Pro is excellent, intuitive accounting software. This program offers most of the features you need, but adjusting to its unique section names may take time.