| The work environment is radically changing. When | | | | income, expenses, payables, receivables, and even |
| employers first required their employees to be all | | | | company trends can be viewed. Online accounting |
| in the same place at the same time, many | | | | programs allow all that to be viewed without even |
| employers now have workers in various locations | | | | having to install a program. Not only that, but |
| and who can be monitored with a simple online | | | | customer records can easily be viewed to |
| tool. Chat rooms are becoming the new | | | | determine how much they were charged, billed, |
| conference rooms and video phones are taking | | | | how much they paid, and how much they still |
| over sit-down meetings. Freelancers are becoming | | | | owe. Invoices can be viewed to quickly see who |
| more and more numerous and so are the | | | | still has outstanding balances. |
| companies that employ them. The internet is | | | | However, online accounting programs don't just |
| providing outlets not only for communication and | | | | benefit employers. They help freelance |
| employment, but also for the actual work to be | | | | accountants as well. This is because without the |
| done as well. | | | | need to download specific software, freelancers |
| Online accounting is beginning to overtake the old | | | | can use whichever online accounting program their |
| method of manually writing down every number | | | | employer chooses. Since there is such a wide |
| that can be found on a receipt, invoice, order, etc. | | | | variety of accounting programs available, a |
| Programs like these are making it simpler for | | | | freelancer's computer could quickly get bogged |
| employers to contract freelance accountants and | | | | down with all of the software. This is not a |
| still maintain a level of control over their financial | | | | problem with online accounting programs since |
| information, even if their accountant lives halfway | | | | they are accessed through the internet via secure |
| across the world. | | | | login that keeps the information safe. Another |
| Employers can benefit from online accounting | | | | perk is that with online accounting programs, |
| programs in numerous ways. These programs | | | | there is no need for the freelancer to pay for the |
| allow them to access their information almost | | | | software (which can get quite expensive when |
| anytime they wish as long as they have an | | | | using physical software). For programs that have |
| internet-connected computer or even a | | | | a subscription fee, it is easily paid for by the |
| Smartphone (such as an iPhone or Blackberry). | | | | employer so that the freelancer can use it |
| Their financial information is stored securely online | | | | without having to worry about purchasing the |
| and can be used to quickly and conveniently | | | | software. |
| create financial reports. Information such as sales, | | | | |