Melissa -
If you must go with QB for Mac, be prepared for some frustration. It
does not have a good reputation, especially the current version. In
fact, the Mac version does not have all the functionality of the PC
version. (Sloppy/lazy work on part of the publisher.)
I went with MYOB since my needs were much simpler than yours. I did
a lot of research on the pros/cons of accounting programs for my
shop, and I wouldn’t touch QB with a 10ft pole.
Two things I would suggest: 1) get the software needed to run QB for
Windows on your Mac and a tutor to teach you QB, or 2) get the
database FileMaker and have a programmer write modules for it to
work with your chosen accounting software.
Both options are pretty pricey though, but at least FileMaker is Mac
native. Another possibility is to have a spreadsheet guru set you up
with templates that can be used instead of a database.
You need a database for what you want (QB, MYOB, FileMaker are
databases) and they cost money and your time/effort to makke them
work. Spreadsheets like Numbers or Excel can simulate the
functionality of a database, but you will find the limitations on
that pretty soon. A truly skilled spreadsheet programmer can work
wonders.
Why no one is writing good accounting software for the Mac is beyond
me. Investigate FileMaker - the single user licenses are not too
pricey, and there may be modules already available that can be
modified as you need them.
good luck,
Kelley Dragon