| If you're anything like me then you dislike with a | | | | get it up and running and will be on hand to |
| vengeance doing your accounts and taxes.So how | | | | answer questions, plus at your financial year end |
| can you make this process easier, less painful and | | | | when your accounts need preparing it will be less |
| cut your accountancy fees?Well buying an | | | | expensive, believe me to have a compatible |
| accounting software package is one way.First of | | | | program.I also recommend doing some research |
| all you need to decide whether you are going to | | | | yourself, you may be able to obtain a |
| keep your accounting records manually, that is | | | | demonstration disk or download of the most |
| using pen and paper, or whether you are going to | | | | popular accounting software packages and this will |
| computerize the process.If you decide that | | | | give you an idea of how they work and if they |
| computerizing the process is the way to go then | | | | are user-friendly.The cost may also be an issue, |
| you need to decide whether to buy an accounting | | | | so you need to decide on your budget. But |
| software package, for example Sage or Quicken, | | | | consider how your business is likely to expand - |
| or whether a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft | | | | you may outgrow that budget accounting |
| Excel will suit your needs better.As a general rule | | | | software quickly and end up buying the more |
| if you are a cash business that just needs to | | | | expensive one anyway.Accounting software |
| record income and expenditure then you are | | | | providers may also try and up-sell you a |
| better off using a spreadsheet.So, should you | | | | maintenance contract. Save your money! In my |
| choose an accounting software package? | | | | experience the established software providers will |
| Yes if:1. You have customers to whom you | | | | not have bugs in their systems. They will also try |
| extend credit and you buy goods in the same | | | | and upgrade you to the next version on a regular |
| way2. You process in excess of 50 transactions | | | | basis, but if the software is doing everything you |
| per month3. Your business is an Incorporated | | | | need then there is no need to upgrade.Of course, |
| Company (Limited Company in the UK)and:4. You | | | | you could also pay someone to do your accounts |
| are computer literate or are willing to learn!Before | | | | for you, either your accountant or a bookkeeper |
| choosing the accounting software, speak to your | | | | - the payoff being you don't have to do it |
| accountants - they will be familiar with the various | | | | yourself and it frees you up to actually run your |
| accounting software packages on the market and | | | | business!Copyright © Jakki Francis, 2005This |
| will be able to advise you. | | | | article is copyrighted. Please feel free to use it in |
| Most accountants use software in their office to | | | | it's |
| process the bookkeeping for their clients and will | | | | entirety including copyright information and |
| have a working knowledge of the accounting | | | | information about |
| software package they use. | | | | the publisher.Jakki Francis operates the website |
| It may be cheaper for you to use the same one | | | | For news, information and resources on all types |
| they do, because they can advise you how to | | | | of accounting software. |