By Jakki Francis

If you’re anything like me then you dislike with a vengeance doing your accounts and taxes.

So how can you make this process easier, less painful and cut your accountancy fees?

Well buying an accounting software package is one way.

First of all you need to decide whether you are going to keep your accounting records manually, that is using pen and paper, or whether you are going to computerize the process.

If you decide that computerizing the process is the way to go then you need to decide whether to buy an accounting software package, for example Sage or Quicken, or whether a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel will suit your needs better.

As a general rule if you are a cash business that just needs to record income and expenditure then you are better off using a spreadsheet.

So, should you choose an accounting software package? Yes if:

1. You have customers to whom you extend credit and you buy goods in the same way

2. You process in excess of 50 transactions per month

3. Your business is an Incorporated Company (Limited Company in the UK)

and:

4. You are computer literate or are willing to learn!

Before choosing the accounting software, speak to your accountants – they will be familiar with the various accounting software packages on the market and will be able to advise you. Most accountants use software in their office to process the bookkeeping for their clients and will have a working knowledge of the accounting software package they use. It may be cheaper for you to use the same one they do, because they can advise you how to get it up and running and will be on hand to answer questions, plus at your financial year end when your accounts need preparing it will be less expensive, believe me to have a compatible program.

I also recommend doing some research yourself, you may be able to obtain a demonstration disk or download of the most popular accounting software packages and this will give you an idea of how they work and if they are user-friendly.

The cost may also be an issue, so you need to decide on your budget. But consider how your business is likely to expand - you may outgrow that budget accounting software quickly and end up buying the more expensive one anyway.

Accounting software providers may also try and up-sell you a maintenance contract. Save your money! In my experience the established software providers will not have bugs in their systems. They will also try and upgrade you to the next version on a regular basis, but if the software is doing everything you need then there is no need to upgrade.

Of course, you could also pay someone to do your accounts for you, either your accountant or a bookkeeper – the payoff being you don’t have to do it yourself and it frees you up to actually run your business!

Copyright © Jakki Francis, 2005
Jakki Francis operates the website http://www.accountingsoftware-reviews.com For news, information and resources on all types of accounting software.

Next Home-Based Article:
Business or Leisure – Make Sure You Get the Best Stay
In fact, when you hop around places for business or leisure, there are plenty of reasons to worry about. Your stay being one of the main reasons. The moment you step out from an airport, the same reason always.......

SFI Marketing Group is the largest and reputable Home Business company in the world. Over the years, it has established and grow itself globally in many countries helping many people around the world to earn an income that they never thought POSSIBLE.  As a SFI Affiliate member, you will be able to gain access to their Online Website Marketing eCourse which teaches you all about Internet Marketing and how to make your Home Business a success.  SIGN UP FREE and give yourself a chance to Learn and Earn and Build a Business Income PART-TIME (which can even surpass your FULL-TIME income) for life and experience what Internet Home Business is all about!!!

Article Home : Free Work At Home Online Business Opportunity Learning Tips