Crunch Accounting Software Review

Crunch accounting software is an application designed to help freelancers and small businesses manage their finances. The software is simple and provides several features that can save businesses time and money. Crunch accounting software includes tools for issuing sales invoices, managing customer information, and generating financial reports.

There are two main advantages to Crunch; the first is that they offer a free version, and the second, they have dedicated accountants to give professional advice with some plans. It is an affordable and effective way for businesses to take control of their finances.

This review mainly looks at their free version for sole traders. The other popular plans are for a limited company with support from accountants.

Crunch History

In 2007, Darren Fell, the CEO, had had enough of the shortcomings of traditional accountancy firms. So he created a reasonably priced service and included everything freelancers, contractors, and small businesses need. The service comprises easy-to-use online accounting software and in-house support from experts when you need it.

They have now expanded to cover an all in one package in one place. They also offer links to business insurance, financial planning advice, self-employed mortgages, company formations and accountant support.

Crunch Accounting Review for Small Businesses

Crunch is one of the most jargon-free accounting software on the market. It’s simple to use and provides several features to save businesses time and money. The software can be customised to meet the specific needs of each business, making it an affordable and effective way for a small business to take control of their finances.

How Crunch Bookkeeping Software can Benefit your Business

If you are a small business looking for bookkeeping software and a traditional accountant, Crunch offers an all in one service. As a bookkeeper, I get enquiries for accounting services, but due to work commitments, I can’t take on new clients. Most of these enquiries are from people who can’t find an accountant or don’t know how to complete their bookkeeping. They aim to fix this problem by offering an all in one service.

The Different Features of Crunch Accounting Software

Crunch is great accounting software for small companies as it offers a variety of features that can save time and money.

I am using the sole trader free version for this article, but will also look at the pro version.

Some of the main features offered include:

Setup

Setting up is simple, visit the website, sign up for a Crunch account, answer a few simple questions about the business, and you are good to go.

Dashboard

The home screen on Crunch has less information available than other packages like Xero or QuickBooks.

Most other packages include a glance at your business, including bank balance, sales invoices outstanding, expenses owing and track account codes. Crunch offers a quick link to the features that a small business uses.

Banking

Crunch uses open banking to get the bank feeds. It is available for most banks.

With all other software I use, bank feeds are updated each day, and there is an option to refresh them. One of the biggest surprises is that it only updates it once per week on a Sunday. The other problem I had was that it imported all the transactions from the start of the tax year if this is your first year in business, that is fine. If you are transferring from different software part of the way through the year as a sole trader, you can’t enter opening balances for a specific date.

Sales Invoices

One of the essential parts of any bookkeeping software is issuing a sales invoice to a customer. Creating an invoice in Crunch is a straightforward process and can be completed in minutes using the templates available. The software allows businesses to create recurring invoices, which can save time when billing customers regularly.

There is very little that you can amend in the template other than adding a logo, message and bank details. Below is an example of an invoice.

Expenses

Crunch has worked with Dext to create an easy way to scan receipts within the software called Snap. Snap is available on both iPhone and Android. The free version includes 15 receipt scans per month, which is enough for some self-employed or £3.50 for unlimited scans.

Snap reviews on android are 1.7* with 31 reviews and over 1000 downloads.

I decided to test it on a receipt from CEX for some DVDs purchased. I was pleasantly surprised that it was all imported correctly, and I received this email on completion.

If you are a sole trader, using snap within the software can save time.

There is also an option to add expenses manually and attach the receipt to the transaction.

Reports

For me, this is where Crunch is lacking for sole traders, I was searching for the reports, and there is nothing. It will calculate your self-employed income on the self-assessments, but that is all. There is no income statement or balance sheet. The accounts payable and receivable shows outstanding receipts and expenses, which allows you to track outstanding payments.

There is reporting within the year-end accounts for a Limited company, which includes accounts for Companies House, full accounts for HMRC, management information, and the CT600 for corporation tax returns.

Self-Assessment Review

Where Crunch Accounting is good is for the self-assessment tax returns. Below is the self-assessment screen; it lists everything you require to complete the process. If you do require help it is possible to upgrade the plan and get help from an accountant.

Additional Addons

VAT Returns

If the company is vat registered, Crunch is Making Tax Digital Compliant. They will even email a reminder before the return deadline. VAT has an additional fee of £3.50 per month.

Payroll

If you run a business with payroll and want to keep everything in one place, they offer it supported by Chartered Certified Accountants. The price is higher than most providers as it starts from £16.50 per month.

2 Directors are included for free with the Limited Company Pro plan from £75.50 per month.

CIS

If you are registered for the construction industry, Crunch offers an add on from £21.50 per month. The CIS service makes it easier for contractors and subcontractors working in the construction industry to make the correct tax and NI payments.

Crunch Free Option

Crunch offers a free version for both the self-employed and limited companies. It is an ideal bookkeeping solution if you want to create easily and issue invoices, record and track expenses, add bank feeds and reconcile your accounts. Crunch is simple to use, and if you need more support, it is possible to upgrade to include their add ons, including the team of accountants, at an additional cost.

Crunch Accounting Self-Assessment

Crunch is ideal for a sole trader as it includes the self-assessment tax returns within the software. It is easy to use and helps to keep track of invoices and expenses. There is also a free version that is perfect for those just starting in business. It is a great way to save time and money on accounting and tax return preparation.

For the sole trader’s version, prices start from £24.50 plus VAT.

Crunch Accounting for a Limited Company

Crunch is ideal for limited companies as it includes directors’ payroll and year-end reports for Companies House.

For a limited company that wants to complete everything in one place, I would recommend the pro version as it includes director payroll, year-end accounts, and CT600.

Crunch Online Accounting Pricing

Crunch offers a free version and prices starting from £24.50 for additional features.

Below is a full breakdown of the cost.

Crunch Support

The pro plan offers unlimited access to a team of chartered certified accountants; this is great if you want to complete everything in one place.

There is various support that includes tutorial videos, a website knowledge base, online account managers and a feedback form.

I experienced a problem and used their feedback form; I had a response in less than 24 hours, which is faster than some other support services.

The data is all stored in the cloud and is safe.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages to the software are:

• Easy to use
• Free version
• Good support
• Online accountant
• Self-assessment built-in
• Add-ons to support a business

There are some disadvantages to the software, including:

• No option to track stock (inventory)
• Limited reports
• More expensive for the pro version than the alternatives

Accounting Reviews

It is always worth looking at other reviews to see what users think about it when looking at new software.

I looked at getapp.co.uk with 42 reviews; it scored 4.4 out of 5. Most reviewers recommended the software and stated how easy it is to use with the accountant services.

Crunch Accounting Review Conclusion

I recommend Crunch as it is jargon-free online accounting software for sole traders and limited companies. It is simple to use and has various features, including self-assessment tax returns, payroll, and year-end reports. There is also an add on for those registered for the construction industry (CIS).

The free version is perfect for bookkeeping, reporting expenses and issuing invoices; however, if you need more features such as unlimited advice from Crunch accountants, it is possible to upgrade to the pro version.

It is worth noting that the pro version is more expensive than some of the alternatives; however, it does offer everything in one place with accountant services and advice.

If you are thinking of using Crunch accounting, arrange a chat with one of their advisors or try the free version.