Using YNAB to run a rental business?

[David Moore]

Is anyone using the software YNAB (You Need a Budget) to operate their rental business? We currently use Quickbooks, but it lacks the budgeting portion that I am finding more and more critical to mapping out our cashflow and expenditures. I already use YNAB for my personal finances and love it. However, I really don't want to do double entry to both QB and YNAB in order to add these features, so I am thinking of making a clean break. Would love to hear from others that may be doing the same. How do you structure YNAB for your business?

[David Moore]

@Keith S. Forgive my late reply! I wanted to post after I had gotten through tax season then lost track. I can honestly say that using YNAB was a big improvement in simplifying data entry over QB. It takes me much less time than QB used to. The phone app is a big plus in being able to enter expenses on the fly instead of the "pile and file" method I had going with QB. It does require a little creativity to initially setup since YNAB is really built for personal finances, but the principles of zero based accounting and giving every dollar a job (budgeting categories) make planning for expenses so much easier. No more looking at the bank balance to guess if I have enough money for an upgrade or large repair!

The interface is simple and clean. Reporting is pretty limited but adequate for basic needs. End of year tax report takes a little tweaking, but YNAB allows you to export to a CSV file for further editing before turning over to your tax accountant. Overall, I can see where YNAB would be a bit too simplistic for larger companies but it's working just dandy for my 6 units.

@Camille Joos-Visconti I love YNAB too! It's completely revamped our personal finances in a surprising kind of way. I've recommended it to half a dozen friends and most are having great success!