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Accounting software review
Accounting software review looks at the different packages available for small businesses. It also includes how to choose the best product for your company. We have also written a guide on personal accounting software.
Our accounting software review is here to assist you in deciding the best software for your accounting needs. There are so many accounting packages to choose from including free downloads, online services and packages which can be purchased in store.
Recommend accounting software
One of the first things to do is to speak to your accountant if you haven't already got an accountant, now may be the time to find one. Some accountants will only work with certain accounting software; using the same software may have advantages especially at the year end. Finding out after completing a whole financial years accounts that your accountant doesn't support the product or will have to do more work to put it into their format, may cost you more money.
Speak to friends, who run their own small business, find out from them what software they use and their review of the software. If possible have a look at the software, some packages are designed for businesses which have little knowledge of accounts and others may be too complicated for your purpose.
What are the choices?
Excel spreadsheets - There are Microsoft Excel spreadsheets available including our own free one. If you are good with excel you may find that you can design a spreadsheet suitable for your businesses needs.
Downloads - Some companies now offer software as a download, there are a few free downloads but normally you pay the same price but can have the software installed quickly on your computer.
On-line - There are a few companies which now offer an online service. For this you subscribe normally on a monthly basis and complete all your accounts online. The advantages of this are you can complete your accounts anywhere as long as you have an internet connection; multiple users can have access at the same time. The most popular online accounting software is Kashflow.
Software package - You can purchase an accounting package either from a shop like PC world or online. The software is run on your own computer; you then have the software to reload if needed.
How to choose the right accounting software package
There are many different accounting software packages available and every business has different needs. The best way to choose the best software for your small business is to list everything that you require the software to do, this includes:
- Fixed Assets
- Stock
- VAT
- Debtors and creditors
- Purchase orders
- Payroll
Do not just look at what you may need now, but look to the future as well if you are planning to expand your business.
Accounting software review - products available
- Kashflow
- Microsoft
- Mamut - was MYOB
- Quickbooks
- Sage
- Simply Books
There are other products available, but can be very expensive to purchase and too complicated for most small businesses.
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