CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE

It is the top priority of a business owner to keep an eye on the money coming in and out, making it critical yet practical to have the right accounting software. There are many advantages in using current technology to manage the company’s finances. You need a program that helps you accomplish your daily accounting tasks – recording payments, tracking expenses, invoicing customers and reconciling transactions – and gives you insight into your business’s financial health, allowing you to generate reports that help you analyze your business’s performance from multiple angles.

There are plenty of accounting software products available in the market today, with a wide range of functions and pricing. The question really is, “which product to choose?”. Here are some important criteria to consider before investing in an accounting software.

Determine your needs first.

Make an assessment of your company’s needs.  Determine how complex your accounting process is and what features of the accounting cycle do you need to be computerized.  Would you like the whole system to be computerized or just a part of it?  What special needs or accounting requirements do your company have? Determining your needs is very vital since it will save you time later on.

Do your homework.

Now that you have determined your needs, it is time to compare the features of various available software. As we said, there is no shortage of software on the market, so you’ll need to do some research to determine the right product for your needs. Check whether you can download a product demo of the software you are looking for.  Install the software and test it according to your needs.  Testing the demo will determine whether the software is fit for your business or not.

Determine your budget.

How much are you willing to spend for an accounting software?  Once you have a budget it is time to compare the software you selected and then put the cost of each.  Include in the cost of the software including assumptions for annual support, maintenance and other incidental expenses.

Confer with your accountant.

Deciding on your own can be daunting especially if you do not have the experience.  The best way is to always consult someone who is trustworthy and has good experience in it. Your company’s accountant knows the nature of your business and is probably fairly well-acquainted with many of the products available. You may also get a recommendation about what accounting software is most compatible with the system that he or she uses.

Consider cloud-based accounting software.

As cloud computing is becoming a more popular solution, don’t rule out an online accounting software solution. While many of us are used to purchasing software in a box, installing programs on our desktop computers, and saving data locally, there are many advantages to “keeping it in the cloud”. Cloud systems can be accessed from wherever you are, as long as you have internet connectivity. Generally speaking, you can use them on any device, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Consider outsourcing to a virtual accountant.

If you need more help with your accounting and bookkeeping, consider outsourcing the work to a virtual accountant. This will save you valuable time that could be better spent on business development. And when you outsource to a virtual accountant, you’ll always have access to the latest and greatest accounting software. You’ll also have the added comfort of knowing that your data is stored on highly secure servers, and always encrypted in transit, so your sensitive information is as safe as modern technology allows.

Always remember the importance of the software.

Indeed, choosing the best accounting software for your business is challenging. However, it is very important for tracking the success of your business. The use of accounting software allows the business owners to store all the information that gives a clear picture of the business financial health or performance. The software can easily manage book keeping and allows monitoring costs and revenues to maximize profit margins. What matters is to make sure the software you choose suits to your business needs and size since using the perfectly-suited accounting software improves cash flow.