Accounting package?

**WiltonRanch** · Mar 15, 2015, 15:40

There are some programs around if you look around but I wonder if it would be worth the money to hire someone well versed in excel to set you up a database and spreadsheet. It's like farm accounting software. I have yet to find anything that comes close to an excel spreadsheet. That is my preference because I set it up like a general ledger.

If you know what you want to track then that's what you set up for. No sense buying something with stuff you don't want that gets in the way.

**smcgrath76** · Mar 15, 2015, 20:09

We use Ag Expert for accounting and I really like it. I can assign costs to various enterprises, it tracks depreciation and switches between cash and accrual for tax vs actual business performance.
We have used CattlePro for the cowherd for a long time, but are working on a switch to Ranch Manager from LionEdge just due to lack of programming support for Cattle Pro.
For comparison I use AgriProfit$ which is a formal benchmarking program, and also use Excel to run analysis for specific questions/problems/queries that I may have.
I also run the yardage calculator in CowBytes a lot as it gives me good feedback on various feeding practices we are interested in.
I use Excel for grazing management, but am working on a better solution.

**kato** · Mar 16, 2015, 16:23

AgExpert for accounting.

We have been using Ranch Manager for the cattle records. I really like Ranch Manager. It's reasonably priced, and I also have the mobile app for my Ipad. You can get cloud service with the program for about $40 a year, and it's really handy. I can also upload rfid tag info into my laptop, and age verify the whole calf crop in one swoop. I think they have a demo to download. Customer service is excellent.

**kato** · Mar 16, 2015, 17:56

I forgot.. Ranch Manager exports to excel so you can rearrange things if there is something you want to do that the program doesn't do.

**smcgrath76** · Mar 16, 2015, 21:55

kato, the only problem I have seen in RM so far is that it doesn't store my regular vaccines and related withdrawal times. I wish it could do that.

**kato** · Mar 16, 2015, 22:37

I have the same issue. It has a place to enter that in the mobile version, when you record a treatment, but seems to want the withdrawal times entered each time. I can never remember them.

I bet they would fix it if they were asked. They do updates all the time.

Apparently it qualifies as being good enough records for verified beef too.

**westernvicki** · Mar 16, 2015, 22:46

Thank you so much for the advise.. appreciated.

**westernvicki** · Mar 16, 2015, 22:48

Thank you so much, from this I guess I can quit looking for one that has financial analysis, herd management and accounting all in one package. This helps a lot, appreciated.

**kato** · Mar 17, 2015, 18:58

There is a certain amount of ability to use ranch manager for financial tracking, but I don't use it because it means duplicating the record keeping in Agexpert. RM will do the costs and such, but isn't a true accounting program.

Accounting package?