Do You Need Accounting Software For Your Small Business?

by: Jakki Francis
If you're anything like me then you dislike with a vengeance doing your accounts and taxes.

 

So how can you make this process easier, less painful and cut your accountancy fees?

 

Well buying an accounting software package is one way.

 

First of all you need to decide whether you are going to keep your accounting records manually, that is using pen and paper, or whether you are going to computerize the process.

 

If you decide that computerizing the process is the way to go then you need to decide whether to buy an accounting software package, for example Sage or Quicken, or whether a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel will suit your needs better.

 

As a general rule if you are a cash business that just needs to record income and expenditure then you are better off using a spreadsheet.

 

So, should you choose an accounting software package? Yes if:

 

· You have customers to whom you extend credit and you buy goods in the same way

 

· You process in excess of 50 transactions per month

 

· Your business is an Incorporated Company (Limited Company in the UK)

 

and

 

· You are computer literate or are willing to learn!

 

Before choosing the accounting software, speak to your accountants – they will be familiar with the various accounting software packages on the market and will be able to advise you. Most accountants use software in their office to process the bookkeeping for their clients and will have a working knowledge of the accounting software package they use. It may be cheaper for you to use the same one they do, because they can advise you how to get it up and running and will be on hand to answer questions, plus at your financial year end when your accounts need preparing it will be less expensive, believe me to have a compatible program.

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