| Time of the year is near and auditing period is | | | | 1. Up-front costs |
| here again. XeerSoft always understand challenges | | | | 2. Implementation Speed |
| faced by business owners as well as accountants. | | | | 3. Security and Accessibility |
| In this issue, we will inspect the need of using | | | | 4. Configurable and Scalability |
| web-based or online accounting system as | | | | 5. Support and Training |
| compared to desktop accounting. | | | | Implement a “ready-made” web-based |
| We will also look into factors to consider before | | | | accounting will be more affordable and quicker to |
| implementing web-based accounting system or | | | | deploy compared to writing your own accounting |
| online accounting solutions. | | | | software. While programmers and software |
| Here, we are talking about desktop accounting | | | | developers can write codes, too seldom an |
| where you buy boxed software off the shelf, | | | | Information Technology expert could also |
| install onto your computer and use it. Web-based | | | | understand accounting and financial terms unless |
| accounting system will have you login to your | | | | he is well-trained and experienced in both fields. |
| system using Internet Explorer and process | | | | Web-based accounting systems host your data in |
| transactions via the Internet. | | | | a server. Therefore, utilize services like data |
| | | | replication and backups. Also find out if data can |
| Desktop Accounting | | | | be saved or exported to a file format you could |
| Let us first examine desktop accounting. Fast, | | | | use, such as a spreadsheet. Most vendors charge |
| really simple, easy-to-use and comprises of all | | | | extra for these services, do ask for the pricing as |
| basic features of accounting. Anyone can simply | | | | well. |
| buy the software off-shelf and use immediately. | | | | You have the flexibility to access a web-based |
| A majority of account clerks are familiar with | | | | accounting system anywhere and have overall |
| desktop accounting, making it easier to implement | | | | control even if you have multi-companies in |
| such system. Come auditing time and ending | | | | multiple locations. Contradicting this feature, you |
| financial year, accountants and auditors will spend | | | | will want that a web-based accounting system |
| time examining full year accounting records, do | | | | allows security in restricting access – you do |
| currency realizations for the full 365-day period, | | | | not want everyone to access your accounting |
| check on records and authorize financial reports. | | | | data everywhere. |
| One-system-fits-all as accounting principles is quite | | | | Also ensure that the system can be configured to |
| similar. | | | | your needs. First list down requirements for your |
| So, if desktop accounting is meant for your | | | | accounting needs and find out if the system could |
| business, continue using it until there is a need to | | | | fulfill your needs. Ensure that the system is |
| upgrade. Allow me to shed lights into why | | | | scalable - can be upgraded and integrate with |
| “higher grades” of accounting systems | | | | other modules easily. You normally look into |
| are needed. | | | | implementing a new system because your |
| Web-based Accounting | | | | business is expanding. So, if your software does |
| When companies grow larger and expand, one | | | | not support your business expansion, do not rely |
| system does not fit all anymore. Even companies | | | | on it. |
| in the same industry may have different | | | | Desktop accounting system is simple enough to |
| accounting practices. Example, a company allows a | | | | deploy due to its simplicity. Not in the case of |
| post-dated cheque to be included as credit limit | | | | web-based accounting system because its |
| but another company may think otherwise. | | | | flexibility and additional features also makes it |
| Understanding different needs in accounting, | | | | somewhat more complex to learn from. So, you |
| XeerSoft figures out a few key points to look at | | | | will want to ensure vendors include on-going |
| when purchasing a web-based accounting system. | | | | after-sales support and trainings. |