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How to purchase business bookkeeping software

accountant37004113.jpgMost business owners find at some point in the business cycle (usually sooner rather then later), they need a software package that will handle their bookkeeping and accounting needs. However, if you are new to the world of business finance, then you may not sure which one makes the most sense.There is a wide variety of choices and it can be difficult to narrow them down. Then you may be wondering once you do buy a package, what's next? And the biggest questions of all may be can you really just plug and play, or are you going to need support?

One of the places that you can turn to for advice on which package to get is your accountant. You accountant can give you advice that is specifically tailored to you since, he or she should know your business intimately and can recommend the package and features you need. Many accountants will have a preference for certain packages, so you should listen closely to what they recommend. Another good place to check is online and gather recommendations, from other business owners.

No matter whose recommendation that you take, it is crucial to take the time to do an analysis of your needs. It can be helpful to ask the following questions-

  • Do you need to perform high-volume sales orders?

  • Do you do large credit card transactions?

  • Do you need bookkeeping software for inventory tracking?

You will want to write down your requirements in a checklist. It can also be helpful to mark which requirements are critical and which ones are just desired.

There are other steps that can help you make the right purchase for your bookkeeping needs. These steps are-

  • Look for a package that you can test-This way you can find out if it is easy to use. Keep in mind that if you are going to appoint an employee to handle bookkeeping, you will want to make sure he or she tests the software as well. You should also find out if the software program works well with other applications, on your computer system.

  • Try to look into the future-While it can be difficult to determine just where your business will be in 3-5 years, it is important to try and have some idea. This is important since you want to buy a software program that will be able to grow with your business. You should also look for limitations on the total number of users and the type of reports available.

  • Don't spend more then you need to-It is important not to go top of the line and spend more than is necessary. Even if you believe in five years you will need a sophisticated accounting program, remember that many programs can be customized to fit your needs.

  • Get help setting up the program-Once you have purchased your software package, you may need someone to help you set it up. Keep in mind that there are numerous ways to go wrong, so if you need to don't be afraid to ask for help.There are consultants, available who can help you correctly set up your program, including the chart of accounts, and give you a tutorial on key accounting concepts. Keep in mind that it's better to spend a few dollars and get good advice upfront rather than waiting until tax time to discover costly errors.

  • Learn the program yourself-It is crucial to understand that even if you hire a dedicated bookkeeper, you should make sure you learn the program yourself. The more the business owner knows about his or her bookkeeping software, the better off they will be.

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