Uhasibu 101

It has been a while since I blogged anything here. Blame it on twitter … definitely twitter and other work related affairs. So here I am again and hope this time the mojo will last.

Two weeks ago, just out of curiosity, I attended a free accounting training at M-lab by the Uhasibu team (who have won awards btw!), a cloud based accounting package developed specifically for the east African market, which I found quite interesting for anyone looking for a start up accounting system.

The training was basic – for an accountant (former in my case) – including petty cash management, journal entries, statutory compliances with KRA, NHIF and NSSF, invoicing system, payroll and other features that most start-ups need for their financial system.

The whole package goes for 1,000 Kenyan shillings ($12) per month and can be customized to the user wishes, although Uhasibu developers advise that you avoid tweaking it as long as possible lest you introduce bugs in your system, which will cost you to fix.

What makes Uhasibu standout from other regulator accounting packages (QuickBooks, Sage)  is its built for the local market (east African). You can generate a VAT reports for KRA, and eliminates a lot of paper work. It also can be used by even non-accounting staff reducing the data entry workload on the accountant (who can easily be outsourced.

The only downside is some of its functions are still in beta and so some items would need to be entered manually. Its over reliance on internet is also a gapping achilles heel, limiting its use in remote areas, but they are working on an offline support that would certainly boost its usability.

They are also coming up with a mobile version/application.

They’re doing another free training on September 1st, which I highly recommend. Or just attend for the cake. Yeah, there is free cake too and God knows we all love freebies, right?