What business software/accounting program do you use?

[StarTech]

I switched to doing all my books in a simple spreadsheet setup with invoices I made myself. It’s cheap, easy to update, and does everything I need for a small shop.

Is it cheaper than free? Other than the computer you need for other purposes. Or have the customer's equipment and all the repairs done for the last ten years. Or an inventory database that allow you look parts and their supersedes or alternates. All at your finger tips.

My database just saved a repair job where Partzilla told me the screws I need weren't available anymore. Apparently they updated their database with the supersedes. That would had been 12 hrs of labor wasted for the lack of 4 screws.

 

[Squam1952]

Another approach some small service businesses take is separating accounting from operations slightly — keeping accounting software focused purely on finances, while using simpler tools for job tracking and customer management. That often keeps things cleaner and easier to switch later if needed.

In practice, this separation works best when operational data (like activity, field work, or performance tracking) is also consistently captured somewhere reliable, so it can be referenced later without manual reconciliation. For example, some teams connect activity tracking and operational workflows so they can integrate strava and similar data sources into broader dashboards, keeping both performance and business reporting aligned instead of scattered across separate tools.

 

[StarTech]

For small businesses like mine it would be very time consuming to run two set of books. I prefer a software package that can handle everything. It already takes too much time researching part sources.

Plus I quit a 8 yr job because they started demanding me to write everything I did during the day. I cornered the service manager in one the shop's corners one morning after he question my restroom time. It was a morning where I had a severe migraine and very loose bowel movements. I gave the graphic details including what it smelled like. He said I didn't have to get that detailed and I said then don't ask. I stayed out on calls the rest of the week just to keep from flooring him.