Who is Kontuly for, and is it right for my business?
Kontuly is for Australian sole traders, small businesses and the bookkeepers who look after them, who do the books on one computer. You don't need to be an accountant: the app and its user guide explain accounting ideas in plain words where they matter.
Kontuly suits you if you
- run an Australian small business, or keep the books for several;
- do the books yourself, on one computer;
- want your data on your own computer, or have patchy internet;
- work with an accountant who uses Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks or Reckon, since Kontuly exports in their import formats.
What doesn't Kontuly do?
Check this list before you switch:
- Payroll. Run pays in a payroll service and record the totals. The PAYG withholding figures for your BAS come from those accounts.
- Live bank feeds. Import CSV or PDF statements from your internet banking instead. Duplicates are skipped.
- Several people at once. One person works on one computer per licence. A bookkeeper and owner share by sending a backup or an export; see Can my bookkeeper and I both use Kontuly?
- Phone or web access. It's a desktop app for Mac, Windows and Linux.
- Lodging. Kontuly prepares BAS and TPAR figures; it doesn't lodge them. Lodge through the ATO's channels or your registered agent.
- Businesses outside Australia, or languages other than English.
- Full-history conversion. Switching from another package brings your opening balances, contacts and unpaid invoices and bills, not your past transactions.
The full list, with workarounds, is on the FAQ.
Can I keep several businesses?
Yes. Each business has its own separate books, settings and backups. See Can I keep more than one business in Kontuly?
Related questions
- What is Kontuly?Kontuly is desktop double-entry accounting software for Australian small businesses, sole traders and bookkeepers, with your books kept on your own computer.
- Is Kontuly cloud software? Where are my books kept?Kontuly is desktop software, not cloud. Each business is a file on your own computer. Here's what does go online, and how your books are kept safe.
- Can I switch to Kontuly from MYOB, Xero, QuickBooks, Reckon or Sage?Yes. Kontuly converts your chart of accounts, contacts, opening balances and unpaid invoices and bills from MYOB, Xero, QuickBooks, Reckon or Sage.
- How do I prepare my BAS figures in Kontuly?Kontuly's GST Report prepares the G1, 1A and 1B labels of your BAS, plus PAYG labels if you set them up. Here's how to run it for your BAS period.
More about getting started
- Does Kontuly run on Mac, Windows and Linux? How do I install it?Kontuly runs on macOS (Apple silicon and Intel), 64-bit Windows and Linux. How to install it on each, and what happens the first time it opens.
- Is Kontuly in beta? How do I join?Kontuly is in beta (version 0.2). Licences aren't on sale yet; Australian testers sign up at kontuly.com/beta and are emailed a download link and a licence key.
- Does Kontuly do my BAS?Kontuly prepares your BAS figures (GST, PAYG withholding and instalments) and TPAR figures from your books. It doesn't lodge them with the ATO.
- How do I set up my first business in Kontuly?Kontuly's setup wizard creates your books in four steps (business name and ABN, GST registration, financial year, main bank account), changeable later.
- How do I try Kontuly with a sample business?Open Kontuly's sample business, a small design studio with three months of made-up invoices, bills and bank lines, to try things before using your own books.