Seems like the entire accounting world missed QBD and HATEs QBO?

Is There a Demand for a New Desktop Accounting Software?

Hello! I’m Ben, and I understand that discussions about Accounting Software pop up often without leading anywhere substantial.

To introduce myself, I’m a software developer who’s feeling really disenchanted with the corporate world after five years. So, I’ve been considering developing a new desktop Accounting Software tailored for US-based companies. (Unfortunately, my knowledge of international laws is limited.)

I’m curious, what features do you consider essential? How would you prioritize them? Based on what I know, here are a few possibilities:

General Ledger

Double Entry

Income Statements

Balance Sheets

What aspects would you prefer to avoid?

No Cloud, Local Only

No Subscriptions (I dislike them too!)

I’m interested to know which operating systems you use and what pricing structure you would prefer.

If there’s enough interest, I’m willing to put together a UI design within a week! I might even have a prototype ready in a few weeks. Let me know your thoughts!

Hi Ben,

It’s great to hear about your interest in developing Accounting Software tailored to the needs of users who are dissatisfied with existing solutions. Creating a desktop-based Accounting Software indeed has a lot of potential for users who prefer a more traditional, non-cloud approach. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you might consider including in your software, based on your questions:

Must-Have Features

General Ledger
Central repository for all Accounting data. Essential for tracking all transactions and ensuring accurate financial statements.
Double Entry Accounting
Ensures accuracy in recording transactions by maintaining a balanced accounting equation. This is non-negotiable for professional Accounting Software.
Income Statements
Provides insight into profitability over a specific period. Necessary for stakeholders to make informed financial decisions.
Balance Sheets
An overview of a company’s financial position, including assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.
Accounts Payable/Receivable
Manage outgoing and incoming payments efficiently, which is critical for maintaining cash flow.
Bank Reconciliation
Helps users match the transactions in their accounts with their bank statements to ensure consistency and accuracy.
User Access Controls
Allow different levels of access to various features, which is essential for businesses to maintain security and privacy.
Reporting and Analytics
Customizable reports to help businesses analyze their financial health and make strategic decisions.
Payroll Processing
While not mandatory, offering a way to manage payroll can be a significant value-add for many companies.
Tax Calculation and Reporting
- Necessary for compliance with local state and federal regulations.

Things Best Avoided

Cloud-Only Features
Since you’ve specified no cloud, ensure all data remains local and accessible without internet connectivity.
Subscription-Based Payment Model
Offer a one-time purchase option. Users who prefer desktop applications often look for this to avoid ongoing costs.
Complex User Interfaces
Aim for simplicity and usability. Many accounting software users are not tech-savvy, so it should be intuitive.

Operating Systems

Windows is the dominant OS in the business environment, so starting with compatibility here is crucial.
Considering macOS compatibility could extend your software’s reach.

Pricing Structure

A one-time purchase model at an attractive price point can

One response

APAdmin

26 February 2025 at 2:08 PM
Hi Ben,

It’s great to hear about your interest in developing Accounting Software tailored to the needs of users who are dissatisfied with existing solutions. Creating a desktop-based Accounting Software indeed has a lot of potential for users who prefer a more traditional, non-cloud approach. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you might consider including in your software, based on your questions:

Must-Have Features
1. General Ledger
2. Central repository for all Accounting data. Essential for tracking all transactions and ensuring accurate financial statements.
3. Double Entry Accounting
4. Ensures accuracy in recording transactions by maintaining a balanced accounting equation. This is non-negotiable for professional Accounting Software.
5. Income Statements
6. Provides insight into profitability over a specific period. Necessary for stakeholders to make informed financial decisions.
7. Balance Sheets
8. An overview of a company’s financial position, including assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.
9. Accounts Payable/Receivable
10. Manage outgoing and incoming payments efficiently, which is critical for maintaining cash flow.
11. Bank Reconciliation
12. Helps users match the transactions in their accounts with their bank statements to ensure consistency and accuracy.
13. User Access Controls
14. Allow different levels of access to various features, which is essential for businesses to maintain security and privacy.
15. Reporting and Analytics
16. Customizable reports to help businesses analyze their financial health and make strategic decisions.
17. Payroll Processing
18. While not mandatory, offering a way to manage payroll can be a significant value-add for many companies.
19. Tax Calculation and Reporting
  - Necessary for compliance with local state and federal regulations.
Things Best Avoided
1. Cloud-Only Features
2. Since you’ve specified no cloud, ensure all data remains local and accessible without internet connectivity.
3. Subscription-Based Payment Model
4. Offer a one-time purchase option. Users who prefer desktop applications often look for this to avoid ongoing costs.
5. Complex User Interfaces
6. Aim for simplicity and usability. Many accounting software users are not tech-savvy, so it should be intuitive.
Operating Systems
- Windows is the dominant OS in the business environment, so starting with compatibility here is crucial.
- Considering macOS compatibility could extend your software’s reach.
Pricing Structure
- A one-time purchase model at an attractive price point can
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