A step-by-step guide to getting started with Sage 50 Accounts

Create a Sage login

1. Visit my.sage.co.uk and click New customer? Start here.
2. Enter your Email, Name and Password and click Register.
   You'll receive an email with a verification code.
3. To activate your login enter the Code you were sent and click Continue.

Download your software

• Visit my.sage.co.uk/downloads > Sign in > select your accounts product > Download.

Depending on your Internet browser, the file automatically downloads to your Downloads folder or you're prompted to save the file > browse to where you want to save it > Click Save.

Install your software

• Browse to and double click the downloaded file > follow on-screen instructions.

For more detailed instructions visit the installation page on our Help Centre.

Activate your software

• Open the software > enter the serial number and activation key > Click Continue > if prompted enter account number and click Finish.

Create your company

After you activate your software, you can select one of the following options:

1. Create a new company - If you're installing for the first time and want to create a new company.
2. Connect to an existing company stored on your network - If the company already exists somewhere on the network and you're connecting this computer to it.
3. Restore company from a backup - If you want to create a company from a backup file.
4. Connect via Remote Data Access (formerly Sage Drive) - If you want to connect to the data in another location and have already set up Remote Data Access.

TIP: If you have a multi-company licence you can also create an additonal company if required - Read more >

NOTE: The default login for a new company is Manager with no password.

Set up Remote Data Access (formerly Sage Drive)

By linking your data to the cloud via Remote Data Access you can easily access accounts from anywhere and share real-time data with accountants and colleagues. You'll also have useful apps at your fingertips to help you make informed decisions wherever you are.

Visit the Remote Data Access Help Centre for instructions on how to set it up.

Customise your company

Customise your company is designed to help you set up defaults within the software and understand functions that help save you time in day to day processing. The remaining steps can either be carried out in the program Help > Customise your company, or by following the remaining steps below.

Create your customers

If you regularly sell to the same people, to save time entering transactions you should set up customer records. You can also create defaults, to make setting up the records easier.

• Customers > New.

For further help, watch our quick demos:

• Set up your customer defaults >
• Set up your customer records >

Create your suppliers

If you regularly purchase items from the same suppliers, to save time entering transactions you should set up supplier records. You can also create defaults, to make setting up the records easier.

• Suppliers > New.

For further help, watch our quick demos:

•  Set up your supplier defaults >
•  Set up your supplier records > 

Enter your opening balances

To make sure the information in Sage Accounts is correct, you need to enter your outstanding customer transactions, outstanding supplier transactions and nominal ledger trial balance figures.

Read more about entering opening balances > >

Create your products and services

You can use Sage Accounts to record all of the products or services you sell. You can also store information such as the description, sales price and units of sale for each item you hold in stock. To save time when setting up new records, If your products and services have the same default information, you can configure your product defaults beforehand.

• Products and services > New.

Looking after your data

Regularly checking your data and backing up are an essential part of ensuring your data remains in the best possible health.

• Read more about how to protect your Sage Accounts data >
• Read more about how to schedule your backups >

Next steps

Now that you've installed your software and set up your company, visit our Help Centre to find out more about:

• Accounting basics
• Invoicing
• Credit control and managing your cash flow
• Using the banking module and e-banking
• Trading in other currencies
• Year end in Accounts

TIP: Have a look at the videos and webinars section of the Sage Help Centre to see our library of support videos which explain particular topics, process and software features.

Upgrade your licence

Growing business? Add more companies, users, or employees to your licence with ease. Leave your details and we’ll be in touch.

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