Get the right small business bookkeeping software and you will save time, money and stress. Now up to a point a manual bookkeeping system is all you need. One good manual system is the Dome Simplified Monthly Bookkeeping Record. You can pick this up at Office Depot or Office Max. That will even work OK with a couple of employees. But if you're ready to step up to a computer system, you face a flood of products to pick from.
Following are 7 tips to help you choose the best bookkeeping system for your small business.
Tip 1: Decide what you want.
If you're upgrading from a manual system or switching from a bookkeeping service, there must be a reason. Decide what you want from a bookkeeping system and you're more likely to get what you need. The best system should save you money.
Tip 2: Free might work.
A free system might work. Microsoft offers a free version that's limited, but may be good enough. Usually if you have any employees a free system isn't for you. But if you don't have employees, consider the Microsoft free option.
Tip 3: Simple will work.
Buy more system than you need and you'll pay hidden costs. Learning any system and using it is part of the continuing cost of software. An overly complex system will cost you as long as you try to use it. Simple is good if that's what you need.
Tip 4: Software in a box.
Look at the major accounting software suppliers like QuickBooks and Peachtree. They sell software in huge volumes and there are thousands of users who have gone before you. No need to be a pioneer.
Tip 5: Easy upgrades.
Cheap software may be a dead end. If you ever need to upgrade, is there an upgrade version or do you get to start all over with a new software vendor? Maybe you can't even easily transfer your records to the new software. Oh my!
Tip 6: Online for less stress.
Online software may be an option. Especially for payroll, you can forget about keeping up with endless regulation changes and just let the software people worry about that. Lots of bookkeeping automation is available really cheap with online accounting software.
Tip 7: Who can you call?
What happens when you have problems? Who can you call? Software has been known to just lock up and there you are. So know who can help you if you get in trouble, because trouble will come with any software.
The right small business book keeping software makes running a business easier and less stressful. The problem in choosing the best software is you have so many choices. Think through what your real needs are before you buy anything. Pick overly complex software and you'll pay too high a price in learning and using the programs. But on the other hand, buy too little system and you may find yourself stuck and forced to learn a whole new system. The good news is that you have several options from major companies that are already used by thousands. You can easily buy a proven product that will do the job.
Source:
Buzzle.com
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