One day Microsoft might realise that forcing its customers to have a Bill Gates issued 'passport' to use services on the internet sticks in people's gullets like a jagged fishbone. In the case of Microsoft Money you need a passport if you want to take advantage of its online banking services, but once you do sign up you find that it is the one area of an otherwise excellent program that does not work properly.
Money has been around for long enough now to have a solid following and for good reason - the latest version in particular is an easy to use, intuitive, and comprehensive personal money manager. And it achieves that without the need for a lengthy written manual. In fact, there is no manual, just a series of wizards and help menus that spell out quite clearly how to enter, manage and analyse your finances. That includes keeping track of your bank accounts, bills and investments and setting up household budgets.
Microsoft has leveraged its internet assets to provide online stock and investment information that you can download as regularly as you like giving you instant share price and money market updates and news.
The biggest problem with any personal financial management software is the initial setting up - not because it is difficult, but because it takes time. If you are converting from Quicken to Money, that's not a problem because it will just import the data.
When you come to the set up for online banking, hopefully you will have less trouble than we did because for some reason or other we could only access a group of banks in South America and none in Australia. But if you do succeed and are willing to sign up for a Microsoft Passport, Microsoft says you will be able download bank statements in the background as you work.
Everything about Money's interface is clean and clearly set out and you don't have to be a financial whiz to use it. Once the basic information has been entered it will do the rest, giving you the information you need when you need it, reminding you of due bills, tracking your investments and providing a host of reports.
Overall it represents excellent value.