How To Select A Perfect Accounting Software- 8 Tips

 

Managing finances is an essential aspect of running any business, big or small. business growth of any business is impossible  Without a proper accounting system in place, it becomes challenging to keep track of income, expenses, profits as well as other business operations.

Investing in the right accounting software is important for any business owner as it  can make all the difference in streamlining your financial processes and providing you with accurate data on regular basis to make informed decisions. However, with so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to select the right software program for your business. You don’t want to end up with software that’s too complex or too basic for your business needs.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the important factors to consider when selecting the perfect accounting software for your business. From online vs offline to data security, features, scalability, and more, we’ll guide you through the decision-making process to help you choose the best accounting software that meets your business needs.

So let’s get started to discover the 8 important factors to consider while choosing accounting software!

 

8 Important factors for selecting perfect accounting software.

1) Online or Offline

Selecting the right accounting software is crucial for businesses of all sizes. To make an informed decision, it’s important to consider several factors.

One of the first questions to ask yourself is whether you want online software or offline (desktop-based) software.

When should you consider going for offline software (desktop-based)?

While cloud-based software has become increasingly popular due to its many benefits,  there are certain situations where desktop-based software may be more suitable. For example, if you have a retail store and need to create a large number of invoices quickly over the counter, or if you do not have internet connectivity at your business location.

When should you consider going for online software (cloud-based)?

It’s important to note that online accounting software offers several advantages over offline software, including automatic backups and maintenance by the software provider, synchronization of data across all your offices, and integration with other cloud-based applications.

Additionally, with online software, you can access your financial data from anywhere, anytime, making it easier to manage your finances on the go.

In conclusion, while there may be situations where offline software is necessary, it’s strongly recommended that businesses opt for online accounting software to take advantage of its many benefits and have easy access to their financial data at all times. For more information on the security of financial data in the cloud, click here.

2) Check the Data Security

When choosing an accounting software, it’s important to consider data security, especially if you’re planning to use an online accounting application. Here are some essential things to check:

1. Always ask about the security measures your service provider will take to protect your data.
2. Check how the company stores the application data. Most providers have this information available on their websites.
3. Look for a cloud hosting service provider that is reliable and trustworthy, such as Amazon or Rackspace.
4. Ensure that the online accounting software uses an HTTPS connection. You can check this by looking for a green-colored URL in the address bar and clicking on it to view the security certificate. HTTPS protocol encrypts the data transferred from your computer to the software company‘s servers, making it more difficult for hackers to view your sensitive information.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure the security of your financial data and protect your business from potential cyber threats.

3) Check for Features

When selecting an accounting software, it’s important to identify the essential features you need. Here are some must-have key features of a good accounting package:

1. Create and customize invoices
2. Track expenses by category
3. Manage inventory, including stock movements and wastage
4. Import bank transactions to perform bank reconciliation
5. Create purchase orders and record inventory purchases
6. Manage taxes
7. Record journal voucher entries
8. Manage customer and vendor lists
9. View account payables and receivables
10. Generate reports, including balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and trial balance
11. Add additional team members
12. Track audit trails

Here are some features that are nice to have:

1. Support for multi-currency transactions
2. Option to manage employees and process payroll
3. Categorize transactions according to projects
4. Access control for each team member

 

4) User Interface & Complexity

When selecting an accounting software, it’s important to consider the user interface and complexity of the software. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Most business owners do not have an accounting background, so the software should be easy to navigate and understand.
2. The software should be user-friendly and easy for employees to learn without the need for extensive training.
3. Avoid software that is overly complex or stuffed with unnecessary features.
4. A clean interface can help users focus on important tasks and reduce the learning curve.

By choosing an accounting software with a simple and intuitive user interface, you can save time and avoid the cost of extensive training.

5) Scalability

Choosing an accounting software that can scale with your business needs is crucial. Avoid making the mistake of selecting software that only suits your current needs, as your business grows, you may eventually have to migrate to another software which can be a painful process.

Look for software that offers an entry-level version as well as a feature-rich version for when your business model grows.

Some software offers different versions depending on business type or size, so consider these options as well. This ensures that you won’t have to go through the hassle of migrating your data from one software to another in the future.

6) Easy Exit options

It’s important to consider exit options when choosing an accounting software. In the event that the software provider shuts down its operations or you encounter bugs or issues with the software, you’ll want to ensure that you can easily export your data.

Look for accounting software that provides a data export facility, ideally in the form of an Excel file, which can be easily imported into other software.

Additionally, it’s a good practice to regularly back up your data to avoid any potential loss.

7) Hidden Charges

One more thing to keep in mind while choosing an accounting software is to know if there are any hidden charges.

some software may charge transaction fees or percentage of sales for processing payments through their platform.

Another important thing to consider when it comes to hidden costs is the cost of integrations. Many businesses use multiple software solutions to manage different aspects of their business, such as a CRM or project management tool. If you need your accounting software to integrate with other tools you use, make sure to check if there are any additional costs associated with those integrations.

Also, keep in mind that some software providers may offer a free trial or a freemium version of their product, but these options may have limited features or come with a time limit.

Make sure to read the fine print and understand all the fees associated with using the software before making a purchase decision.

8) Post-sale Support

Post-sale support is an important consideration when choosing an accounting software as it can greatly affect the overall user experience. Here are some key things to keep in mind regarding post-sale support for accounting software:

• Availability: Check if the software provider offers support through multiple channels such as phone, email, chat, or online forums. Ensure that the support is available during your business hours or at least during a significant portion of it.
• Response Time: Look for software providers that offer quick response times to queries or issues raised by their customers. Some providers may offer different levels of support with varying response times, so be sure to check the details.
• Expertise: It is important to ensure that the support team has sufficient expertise and knowledge to help with technical issues, configuration, and other aspects related to the software.
• Resources: Check if the software provider offers user guides, tutorials, videos, and other resources that can help with self-help or quick resolution of common issues.
• Upgrades and Updates: Ensure that the software provider offers regular upgrades and updates to the software and that the support team can assist with the installation and configuration of these updates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right accounting software for your business is a critical decision. By keeping in mind the factors mentioned in this blog such as features, cost, ease of use, scalability, support, and hidden costs, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business needs and goals.

As an excellent example of accounting software that fulfills all these requirements, ProfitBooks offers a user-friendly interface, scalable options, affordable pricing, excellent support, and no hidden costs. With its extensive features, including invoicing, inventory management, and financial reporting, ProfitBooks is an excellent solution for small and medium-sized businesses looking for all-in-one accounting software.

So, whether you are a small business owner or a growing enterprise, take your time to choose the right accounting software that suits your business needs and goals. With the right software, you can streamline your financial management, save time and money, and take your business to next level

 

Also read –

Free accounting software for small businesses

Top 8 Alternatives to Zoho books Accounting Software

9 Business Activities you can easily outsource to save time

Zoho books vs Quickbooks – Which is better for your business