| Small business bookkeeping software is a powerful | | | | likely need on-going support too. Now hopefully not |
| tool. Are you moving up from a manual system or | | | | very much, but somebody must work through |
| maybe you're ready to begin doing the bookkeeping | | | | whatever problems arise. Is the only help just a |
| yourself rather than having it done outside. Maybe | | | | manual? Is it through a toll free number? Maybe you |
| you're setting up a bookkeeping business yourself. In | | | | can get local help? Often local accounting firms are |
| any of these cases, the software you choose can | | | | experts on the major software products. Plan ahead |
| help your business grow. Here are 5 tips for choosing | | | | for inevitable problems. |
| wisely. | | | | 4. Can You Graduate? |
| 1. Know what you want? | | | | As your business grows, you may need more |
| Any accounting software will perform the core | | | | accounting power. Choose some brands of software |
| accounting functions of general ledger, accounts | | | | and you can upgrade to more power smoothly. If you |
| receivable, accounts payable and the cash functions. | | | | have to switch brands of software, you get to pay the |
| But often you need more, depending on your industry. | | | | start-up training costs all over again. Consider whether |
| So the best investment you can make for picking | | | | you can upgrade. |
| software is to define what your needs are. Do you | | | | 5. Making The Most Of What You Get! |
| want payroll software or will you get payroll done | | | | Generating tax forms and government documents is |
| outside? Do you need job cost records? Also what | | | | one of the goals of a bookkeeping software package. |
| reports will help you? Spend the time to define your | | | | That's staying out of trouble. But accounting is much |
| requirements. | | | | more powerful than just staying out of trouble. The |
| 2. The price is more than what it costs! | | | | right software can help you produce reports that help |
| By that I mean that "free" software isn't free. Learning | | | | you make decisions. Better information can lead to |
| software is often a bigger cost in time and effort than | | | | more profits and better control of costs. |
| the initial cost. Don't forget the training costs too if you | | | | Bookkeeping software or accounting software is a |
| have staff. Pick the wrong software and you may get | | | | powerful tool for managing a business. The cost of a |
| to go through all that again soon too. There are no | | | | software system is more than just what you pay up |
| "free" puppies and there is no "free" software! | | | | front. Remember the training costs too. Make a wise |
| 3. Where's The Help? | | | | choice and you can save money and prepare for |
| You'll need some help to learn the software and you'll | | | | future growth. |