Installation

• 1). Insert the software CD for Simply Accounting. (If you purchased Simply Accounting from Sage online and downloaded the software, you will instead double-click on the file you downloaded.) This will launch the installation wizard.
  
  
• 2). Enter the product serial number when prompted by the wizard. You can find the product serial number on the CD cover. (If you purchased online, the serial number can be found in the purchase confirmation email you would have received from Sage.)
  
  
• 3). Choose one of the installation options. A "Full" installation is the common choice. A "Data-Only" installation is for those who are configuring a central server to store accounting records and will install the main Simply Accounting program on one or more other workstations.
  
  
• 4). Choose "Setup Type" for your full installation. The "Typical" option installs recommended components, while the "Compact" and "Custom" options allow you to fine-tune the installation to accommodate your system resources or accounting needs. Choose the "Typical" option if you are new to Simply Accounting. After the installation is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer. When your start Simply Accounting for the first time, you will be asked to register your software with Sage. You can do this immediately online, or by calling the support number shown on the Registration dialog window.
  
  

Preparing for a New Account

• 1). Decide your earliest transaction date, which will be the date you convert from your old accounting system to Simply Accounting. This could be the first day of the fiscal year.
  
  
• 2). Gather all the customer invoices as well as unpaid vendor bills. Also, gather payroll information and employee records, if applicable.
  
  
• 3). Make a list of the products and services you will be selling. You will be maintaining an inventory of any physical products, or their components, and you will need to know the quantity you have in stock at the beginning of your accounting period.
  
  

New Company Setup

• 1). Select the "Create a new company" radio button on the Simply Accounting startup screen and click the "OK" button. A New Company Setup Wizard will guide you as you enter name and contact information for your company and create a list (often called a "chart") of standard accounts based on your company structure and the kinds of products or services you provide. You can always modify your chart of accounts at a later date. Select a folder in which to store your company's accounting data when prompted. Click "Finish" when complete and Simply Accounting will generate a database for your new company's accounts and then open that database for you to begin work.
  
  
• 2). Click the "Company" entry in the left-hand menu of Simply Accounting's Enhanced View. (If you are currently seeing the Classic View, a link in the upper-right corner of the screen will be labeled "Switch to Enhanced View" and you should click that now). On the "Company" dashboard, click the "Settings" icon in the Related Tasks group. In the Settings window, click the "Sales Taxes" entry and enter the tax information that applies to your location and business operation. If you will be paying salaries, click the "Payroll" entry and enter the information for the kinds of pay, deductions and taxes your business needs to track. There are many other settings that can be modified through this dialog, but tax and payroll information are key to getting started.
  
  
• 3). Click "Customers & Sales" on the main menu and the click the "Customers" icon in the Tasks group to enter contact information and opening balances for each customer you have now. Likewise, click "Vendors & Purchases" on the main menu then click the "Vendors" icon to enter intial details for each vendor you pay for products or services.
  
  
• 4). Click "Inventory & Services" on the main menu and then the "Inventory & Services" icon in the Tasks group to describe the products and services you will sell and their standard pricing. When creating a new entry, click the "Inventory" type radio button if the item is a tangible product. Click the "Service" type radio button for intangible items, like consulting.
  
  
• 5). Click "Employees & Payroll" on the main menu (if you will be paying employees) then the "Employees" icon in the Tasks group. Create a record for each employee. You will apply the income, deductions and payroll tax information you entered earlier in the company "Settings" dialog. You are now ready to begin paying bills, generating customer invoices and tracking payroll expenses.