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If you're like most business owners, you probably started out keeping tabs on your money using a spreadsheet. That's a smart strategy when starting, but as your firm expands, it will undoubtedly get harder to keep track of all your transactions using a manual accounting system. Accounting software can help with that.
Accounting software can track and classify financial transactions; many programs enable you to pay bills, invoice clients, handle payroll, and run standard reports from the interface.
Small businesses and startups may use commercially available accounting software such as Quickbooks, Wave or Xero, along with cutting-edge finance services, to keep their accounting processes running smoothly. Large corporations may use tailored accounting or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
The price of accounting software packages and the level of technical expertise needed to set them up may be prohibitive for certain companies. However, keep in mind that anyone can use accounting software.
The benefits of accounting software outweigh the challenges of implementation. Therefore, we are prepared to respond to inquiries about the advantages of accounting software whenever they arise.
Here are the top benefits of accounting software:
Time is saved
Your accounting software requires some initial setup time, just like any new software system. However, once you do, it will save you hours of effort each week by automatically performing time-consuming manual bookkeeping and accounting operations.
For instance, accounting software eliminates the need to manually enter data into a spreadsheet and download CSV files from your bank or credit card accounts to evaluate your transactions.
It produces important financial reports right away
No more waiting for your office manager to compile your monthly reports: Platforms for accounting software come with built-in, continuously updated reports. Your P&L Statement (or Income Statement), Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement, which display essential information like income and expenses for the month, quarter, or year, may be downloaded with a button.
In most cases, you can modify reports by filtering the data, adding further detail, and saving them to run again if you have more specialized reporting needs.
All of your financial information is synced
Going back and forth between platforms to get the required information can take hours if your data is spread over several different media, such as payroll services, credit card accounts, and bank accounts.
Accounting software will sync the data from all of your online accounting tools via API, saving you the time and effort of downloading financial data from various sources and manually entering it to create an accurate financial record.
It encourages accurate data
If you change your records, accounting software eliminates the need to update several cells on numerous sheets manually.
Instead, any adjustments you make will be automatically reflected in your financial statements and reports, assisting you in maintaining accurate data. Are you wondering if data accuracy is a serious issue? Here is why it's essential
It generates financial statements that appear professional
When outside parties ask for your financial statements, showing formal rather than amateurish documentation is critical. The financial information you share must be accurate, appropriately formatted, and delivered on time, especially when dealing with potential investors.
If they aren't, it gives the wrong picture of your financial situation, and you risk missing out on opportunities. When requests come in, accounting software generates financial statements in standardized formats available for download and sharing.
It makes payroll easier
While you'll eventually require a specialized payroll system, many small businesses manage their payroll using accounting software while their company is still expanding.
With accounting software, you can compute healthcare and insurance contributions, automate employee payments, and obtain precise payroll tax data.
It offers thorough insights
You can use accounting software to track your transactions by departments, projects, locations, or classes if your chart of accounts is appropriately set up.
It helps you develop more detailed reports and make strategic decisions by giving you a clear view of where your money comes from and your expenses.
It simplifies tax preparation
Your tax accountant will have a simpler time filing your return and figuring out the possible tax credits if you have standardized financial accounts and correct, organized data.
Some accounting software packages have built-in tax-specific reports, such as sales and payroll tax.
Inventory mistakes are decreasing
Essential inventory management features that update automatically to display how many of each product you have on hand, what has been sold, and when you need to refill are included in specific platforms for accounting software.
Instead of depending on error-prone human data entry, accounting software is an easy way to acquire accurate, real-time information on your stock levels
This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author.
Nick Green Director at Purple Patch Broking Ltd
20 August
Venkatesh P Co-Founder and Director at Maveric Systems
19 August
Carlo R.W. De Meijer Owner and Economist at MIFSA
Nicole Pienkos Head of Regional Banking at FIS
16 August
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