Internet Marketing Consultant + Author + Speaker

Free Business Idea: Web Accessible Accounting Software

By Andy Beal • July 29, 2007 • Filed in: General

Here’s a free idea for someone that has the time - build a basic online accounting application that is accessible via any browser.

I’ve scoured the web for a cheap solution that will allow me to track my income, expenses, send invoices and reconcile my bank account. My requirements?

  1. Must be less than $20 per month, per user.
  2. Must work in IE, Firefox, Opera and Safari.
  3. Must work on Windows, Mac and Linux.
  4. Must allow the import of data from Quickbooks, Peachtree, MYOB, etc.

Is that too much to ask? Apparently it is! I’ve scoured the web, asked my LinkedIn network and can’t find a single solution. With more and more applications moving to the web, I’d like to be able to access and use my accounting software from any computer. I’d imagine I’m not alone.

PS. If you run with this idea and sell to Google for $1 billion, please buy me a Porsche 911, in silver, thanks! ;-)

Comments

By Adam on July 30th, 2007 at 5:13 am

This should provide a good start.

http://mashable.com/2007/07/10/online-finance/

By Andy Beal on July 30th, 2007 at 8:48 am

Thanks Adam. Unfortunately I didn’t see anything that would fulfill the need. Many of the online offerings only offer invoicing - they lack other aspects of accounting.

By Gabriel Goldenberg on October 12th, 2007 at 1:28 pm

I saw something at SEOmoz’s youmoz that is similar. It handles billing for you and perhaps some other stuff. I see you’ve already rejected something similar, but if you spoke to them you might get an idea where to go.
http://www.seomoz.org/ugc/useful-tools-for-freelance-seos-and-web-deve lopers

By Andy Beal on October 12th, 2007 at 1:30 pm

Thanks Gabriel!

By Gabriel Goldenberg on October 12th, 2007 at 5:25 pm

Pleasure. Let me know if this works out, cuz I could use a suite like that too!

On an unrelated note, I’ve been a fan of Marketing Pilgrim for a while and borrowed the idea for my own blog/corporate site combo, though I wanted to do the branding differently - more corporate and less bloggy. The horizontal nav in particular is your inspiration.

By Andy Beal on October 12th, 2007 at 7:52 pm

Thanks Gabriel but I’m almost done and have all my research complete.

By Gabriel Goldenberg on October 13th, 2007 at 8:20 pm

Sure, no problem. Let me know if you change your mind or I can help out otherwise.

By Accountants Guide UK on January 22nd, 2008 at 9:56 am

I really didn’t see anything that would fulfill the need. Many of the online offerings only offer invoicing - they lack other aspects of accounting.

 

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