Coping with the daily financial affairs of any business needs a lot of work and we all know what the implications can be should your bookkeeping be less than perfect. Increasingly there are software packages available on the market that can do a lot of that for you. However, the sheer choice of products that are on offer to you may well be a little overwhelming. If you are considering upgrading your business accounting software then there are several things that you need to bear in mind. In this article we are going to tell you how you can narrow down your options to find the perfect accounting package for your needs. Ask yourself these questions:
How Easy is it to Use?
You may well choose the most wonderful accounting software with all of the bells and whistles, but if you can’t use it then it’s just not going to help you out. Choose a package that is user-friendly so that you and your staff stand the best chance of getting the most out of it. You may need to go on a training session to get to grips with it, but whatever you choose should be laid out so that you can use it intuitively without having to study a manual for hours. Have a look at the dashboard of the software you are considering – how easy does it look like it will be to operate?
Does it Tie in With Your Banking?
Your accounting software package should be able to tie into your banking system so that the two can correlate. This will make it much easier to pay staff, pay invoices and keep check of all money coming in and out. When you are considering your options, it is always a good idea to make sure that all of the accounting packages on your shortlist are able to hook up with your bank. This also means far fewer man-hours so your staff can get on with more important jobs.
How Safe is it?
Your business accounting software should be completely watertight so that it is impossible for people to access it without your knowledge. Business identity theft is on the increase, so whichever program you choose must be completely impenetrable to those who should not be able to access it. Security should be a massive priority so make sure this is factored into your decision-making process.
How Flexible is it?
Not only will your software need to integrate with your banking, it will also need to be able to hook up with your existing software. Many software packages offer a bolt on which means that the software can in turn be integrated with your current business software. Your aim should be for all your computerized activity to be able to be linked in.
Of course, you also need to think about price, so you need to spend some time early on in the decision-making process thinking about what a realistic budget will be. You may feel that the advice of an IT consultant will help you feel more confident about making your final choice.
The author of today’s post, Jennifer David, is a financial consultant who often writes for Empaxis, a company providingautomated reconciliation services. She is a diligent employee and she enjoys cooking and baking in her leisure time.
