Odoo itself has built-in accounting functionalities that can be used with some initial setup. However, to take advantage of the UK-specific features like the UK chart of accounts and Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance, you'll need additional configuration for Odoo UK accounting.

Here's a breakdown:

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• Out-of-the-box accounting: Odoo has a general accounting module that allows you to manage invoices, expenses, and basic financial reports. This can be used without any additional configuration.
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• UK-specific accounting: To get the most out of Odoo for UK accounting, you'll need to install the UK - Accounting module. This module provides features like:
  • A UK chart of accounts that complies with UK accounting standards.
  • Tools to automate Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT submissions to HMRC.

While some configuration is required for UK accounting features, it's generally not considered advanced. Odoo offers resources and guides to walk you through the setup process.

In contrast, Sage and QuickBooks are accounting software specifically designed for the UK market, so they might have a slight edge in terms of out-of-the-box usability for UK regulations. However, Odoo offers the advantage of being a more comprehensive business management software that integrates accounting with other functionalities like CRM, inventory, and project management.