[WSBARP] Billing Software - Transition From PCLaw to Quickbooks? Other options

Fri Feb 13 08:08:26 PST 2015

Rob:

I seem to recall that WSBA did a CLE or has some training modules regarding QB for attorneys.  Don’t remember the name of the person who did the training but if you dig through the LOMAP link on the WSBA site, you might find something.  

Jim Dolan

===================

Jones Butler Dolan, PS

www.jbdolan.com

www.jonesbutlerdolan.com

Mount Vernon

P.O. Box 2784

720 South Main Street

Suite 233

Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Telephone: 360-336-2939

Facsimile: 360-336-2949

Stanwood

P.O. Box 458

10027 - 269th Place NW (SR 532)

Stanwood, WA 98292

Telephone: 360-629-3833

Facsimile: 360-629-6253

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Rob Rowley
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2015 7:31 AM
To: WSBA RPPT
Subject: [WSBARP] Billing Software - Transition From PCLaw to Quickbooks? Other options

Good morning all,

Wanted to get a sense as to anyone who's had experience on making the transition from PCLaw to QuickBooks.  Also the pros and cons of using QuickBooks in lieu of more lawyer tailored billing software.  Have used PCLaw for the past 12 years (when I left a large firm who also used PCLaw) and gone through several generations (currently using Ver.12).  Recently had issue with the fact that I can't reconcile my general bank account (everything else works).  Worked through all of the suggested fixes (I’m fairly tech savvy) on their website (also googled it). When I call PCLaw for service I'm told that I need to pay $550 to ‘renew my service plan and also pay $10/month into the future’ before they will give me the time of day.  To say that I'm frustrated with PCLaw would be an understatement.  Don't need all of the bells and whistles nor case management software.  Just need simple lawyer accounting and billing software.  My CPA does my state and federal payroll and reporting.

I’ve done lots of research over the years (http://www.americanbar.org/groups/departments_offices/legal_technology_resources/resources/charts_fyis/timeandbilling.html).  I know that most attorneys shy away from QuickBooks due to the fact that you can have issues with the trust accounting.  Looks like that issue may now be fixed or there might be some more readily usable workarounds.  I regularly use QuickBooks Pro for my rental properties so have strong working knowledge of it.  I'm familiar with the fact that QuickBooks also forces you to upgrade approximately every three years. 

When I look at all of the other attorney billing software out there I see lots of monthly subscription fees which over the years will quickly exceed the cost of actually buying it one time.  Also, the fact that you are parking your billing information up on the cloud as opposed to locally becomes an issue.

Thank you.

Robert R. Rowley | Attorney at Law

505 W. Riverside Ave, Suite 500

Spokane, WA  99201

Telephone: (509) 252-5074

Mobile: (509) 994-1143

Facsimile: (509) 928-3084

Email:  <mailto:rob at rowleylegal.com> rob at rowleylegal.com

Web Site:  <http://www.rowleylegal.com/> www.rowleylegal.com

Practice concentrated on business, real estate and general legal matters in Washington and Idaho.

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