| The world of small business accounting | | | | ask their opinion as they live and breathe |
| software can be a minefield for any business | | | | this stuff.4. Best Value For MoneyOnce you |
| owner. However choosing the right package is | | | | have selected the right package for your |
| one of the most critical business decisions | | | | business you may as well get the best value. |
| you will make.Here are the seven things you | | | | Shop around as the price can |
| must consider before making a purchase that | | | | |
| will help you achieve your businesses | | | | vary greatly and the product is exactly the |
| goals.1. ScalabilityBusinesses change over | | | | same. Online merchants such as Amazon may |
| time so it's critical that the small business | | | | offer better pricing because of the sheer |
| accounting software you choose can change | | | | volume of products they sell. However price |
| too. Some | | | | is only one part of the equation so if their |
| | | | is great merchant locally with support or |
| things that often change are the number of | | | | installation assistance this may be far more |
| products and services offered and the number | | | | valuable.5. Major BrandsThere are two major |
| of employees. When you choose your package | | | | players in the small business accounting |
| try and imaging the business in 5 years or 10 | | | | software market. They are QuickBooks and |
| years time and how different it will be. Use | | | | Peachtree. Microsoft is expected to enter the |
| this information to guide your purchase | | | | market soon. I recommend choosing a major |
| decision. It may well be better to pay a | | | | brand so that you can get regular updates and |
| little more now for the software knowing that | | | | you know the company will be around as long |
| it can be easily | | | | as your business needs them.6. Ease of |
| | | | UseEase of use is a personal thing but it is |
| upgraded when needed with minimum disruption | | | | worth trying the software before you buy it |
| and cost to your business.2. SupportIt is | | | | if you can. Remember to get the person who |
| important that any software has great support | | | | will be the main user to test the software as |
| for when something goes wrong (and it always | | | | well. Also consider how well the package can |
| does). Most major companies | | | | interact with other software you use. This is |
| | | | an advantage the Microsoft package may have |
| offer support but you also need to think | | | | when it's available.7. Features NeededI |
| about support in your local area. It's often | | | | touched on this earlier when talking about |
| much easier to have someone locally | | | | thinking ahead as to where you business will |
| | | | be in 5 or 10 years time. Most |
| come in and do things you need done with | | | | |
| your software than have someone trying to | | | | accounting software packages come in several |
| help you over the phone. Make some | | | | different versions. If you don't need certain |
| | | | features now and can't see a need for them in |
| enquiries with other businesses about the | | | | the future then don't buy them. The major |
| package they use and who helps them.3. | | | | differences are usually - number of users |
| Accountant InterfaceIt's most unlikely you | | | | allowed, inventory management capability and |
| will handle every aspect of your businesses | | | | number of reports available.To sum up think |
| accounting. Your accountant is an important | | | | ahead when planning your purchase of small |
| factor in making the right decision. What | | | | business accounting software. You will make a |
| software are they used to working with and | | | | much smarter |
| what do they prefer? Can you easily supply | | | | |
| them data and reports from your package | | | | business decision that will save you plenty |
| without the need for any extra work (which | | | | of trouble and money in the future. |
| you'll have to pay for). Don't be afraid to | | | | |