Find the right accounting software for your business
Accounting software makes many of the tasks easier and convinces with other points. But which program suits the company?
Sophisticated accounting software offers an efficient and simple alternative to manual accounting. It does not generate as much paper and allows data to be stored easily. So there is important evidence ready for retrieval at any time – a row of heavy folders in the office is no longer necessary. Some providers also score with one cloud service, which preserves data even if the program is lost. In addition, the user usually has access to the tools himself from his smartphone. Receipts can also be posted quickly on a business trip.
Further advantages in the area of commercial tasks are, for example:
- Overview of the business figures and their evaluation
- Integrated calculator for sales tax and input tax
- Online payments can be checked and booked
- Certain programs offer a direct interface to the tax office or financial advisor
Many companies continue to use isolated solutions. In this context, these are specific software solutions that simplify complicated processes and provide an overview of internal company processes. However, the maintenance of different programs is confusing in the long run and errors often creep in. For this reason, that rejoices Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) growing popularity. Such a system offers all the individual solutions in the form of one program.
Basically, every company can benefit from ERP software, but there is no universal solution. You should already think about which functions and properties such a program should offer so that processes can run more effectively. Because it includes all areas of the company – in addition to accounting, also sales and marketing. A comparison of the target state with the actual state provides an insight into the vulnerabilities of the companythat can be optimized by an ERP system.
Once the areas for improvement have been determined, the search for suitable software can be narrowed down. Regardless of the needs, it is beneficial to have a choose a flexible program. Perhaps the company is still growing and will require additional services at a later date. These should then simply be added to the booking instead of having to buy a new program straight away. Depending on your needs, the following aspects may prove important:
- the user friendliness is important for many. No IT expert should be needed to handle the program
- A reliable support and customer service, especially in the early stages. Employees must first familiarize themselves with the program, and the provider should be easy to reach if they have any questions.
- Similar to a dedicated accounting software, ERP systems provide services in Finance and accounting. This makes budget allocation and risk management easier.
- Offers for employees pay off for the human resource management. These usually calculate and automate salary and payroll accounting.
- One targeted data storage. On the one hand, this can boost sales, since offers can be specifically designed through the data analysis. In addition, information relating to customers and business partners is used individual design in marketing. Needs-based offerings improve customer relationships.
- Businesses can benefit greatly from the materials management benefit. Such systems clearly record the incoming and outgoing goods and enable subsequent further planning.
- Particularly important: The program must comply with data protection requirements and should also keep the collected information safe. Violations of data protection regulations can result in high fines. According to this, a manufacturer from Germany is preferable, as it has to comply directly with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- cloud solutions are particularly attractive for young companies. An on-premise solution requires constant data maintenance on a company server. An IT specialist is therefore required and the costs for this option can be higher. In comparison, a cloud solution usually requires monthly payments, but does not require constant administration because the servers are external.
In fact, the market now offers a large number of digital solutions for accounting and other internal processes. A complete package makes comparatively little sense for young companies, since it probably does not use many of the software’s services. A software-as-a-service model is therefore recommended. You only pay for what you really need and you can order additional services later.
But no matter how much work ERP systems and accounting software may take away, the processes cannot be completely automated. Regularly checking the program uncovers possible errors and also always keeps you up to date with the company.