I've used various versions of Quick Books, from "Basic" to "Pro" to "Enterprise" and back, for years, and have been very satisfied with the software, in all its incarnations. However, some years back, I realized that a couple accounting courses in college, a hundred years ago, did not an account make me :-). Notwithstanding the "brand" of accounting software you choose to use, as both Robin and Greg have suggested, you'll probably do well to think seriously about finding a solid, well-thought-of (meaning one who is eager to share his/her references, with you) "investor friendly" (a term that has become cliche, of late, but I can't think of a better one!) accountant, preferably a CPA, who understands what we do, how we (should) do it and knows 'taxation" like the proverbial back of his or her "ink-stained" hand. You can learn a lot about this business, and how to structure it, financially, (the secret's in the Chart of Accounts, by the way) by doing your own "bookkeeping", under your accountant's watchful eyes. But, remember, accounting ain't "bookkeeping"! And, believe me, you ain't lived until you've appeared before your local (not-so-friendly) IRS Auditor, "naked" and alone (meaning sans accountant) with an old and tattered "shoe box", in trembling hands, filled with barely-legible slips of paper (you hope will pass for receipts) for your first tax audit! And, when you start making money in this business (and my hope for you is that you will), you're going to realize that you haven't lived until you've finally "walked away" (still-standing, hopefully) from your first "love-in" (and it is almost a certainty that you will be audited) with you new-best-friends from the IRS! It's an almost inevitable "right-of-passage" for investors. So, find a friend at "Trinity" whose "been-there-done-that", one who can recommend a good accounting pro, prepare a list of questions you'll want to ask, then schedule visit. I can guarantee you'll be happier with this business, if you find an experienced and trustworthy accounting / tax professional, sooner rather than later!
Hope this proves helpful!
"Pop's here...."
