Originally Posted by Libby There is quite a bit of front end set up if you plan to use Excel. You have to create all kinds of formulas to tell it what you want it to do. The Quicken and Quickbooks applicatons eliminate all that for you. Just learn to navigate the program and add your financial data.

When it comes to the program, it is personal taste, and what ever fits your knowledge. Some are beginner friendly, others have massive amounts of depth that may confuse the common, uneducated (in accounting not in general) person.

Every accounting program out there has a trial period demo, try them all until you find one you like, and can use.