When I saw that Microsoft has released a free business accounting software package, I was sure I must be mistaken. Then I visited the download page and found both music and a sort of Web 2.0 look. I realized I was seeing Microsoft starting to reinvent itself before my very eyes. I guess a little healthy competition with Google is yielding some good outcomes for all of us.

Office Accounting Express 2007 looks pretty comprehensive for a free package and I suspect small ADR practices will find that it more than does the job. Among its tricks are invoicing, expense tracking, integration with eBay and PayPal, payroll management, and myriad financial reports.

I haven’t tried it yet and am not sure I will, as I’m pretty content with QuickBooks. If you try it, please drop me a line to let me know what you think.

Oh, and given how long this program took to download via DSL, I recommend you try it only if you have a broadband Internet connection. You’ll need Windows too, of course.

Copyright © 2006 by Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved.