What Do You Take Into Account When Shopping for Software?

Small business owners have more than enough tasks with which to keep them busy on a daily basis.

With that being said, how much time and thought have you put into the accounting software that is deployed on a regular basis at your business? If you haven’t really put much time and effort into your accounting software, are you really getting your money’s worth?

For the small business owner who either lets others (outside firm or in-house account specialist) handle such responsibilities or may be looking for the right accounting software, keep some of these thoughts in mind:

1. What’s my budget? - First and foremost, know your budget so that you can determine not only how much you can spend for accounting needs, but whether it is better or not to outsource your accounting needs. If you keep it in-house, how much will you spend for such software? If you don’t need all the bells and whistles with your accounting software, then look for a software package that meets your needs at an affordable price;

2. Keep it simple stupid - The old ‘KISS’ theory should be applied with your accounting software. The harder it is to use and understand, the more difficult a job your accountant will have with compiling the numbers. Look for software that is user-friendly (includes typical needs such as accounts payable, accounts receivables, inventory management etc.), not to mention compatible with the current system you have in place. If you have to spend too much time on training, you’re not only losing time that could be spent elsewhere, but there is always the risk for more errors if it is too hard to work with;

3. Customer support - Another important facet to keep in mind is the customer service support you receive from your vendor. There will undoubtedly be some questions with the software, so make sure the vendor has quality customer service available for you. Before selecting a vendor, check out the company’s financial track record, whether or not they have a negative background with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and how they interact with people on social media. In the event you see any signs that the vendor’s customer service efforts are lacking, look elsewhere;

4. Think to the future - Finally, the best accounting software you presently have or want to go with depends to a degree on the future plans of your company. Are you planning to grow the business or maybe instead scale back? If you currently have software, can you upgrade it to avoid switching vendors, meaning less time purchasing, installing, and training for new software? Also, is your current software or one you are considering buying and installing safe? Keep in mind that security should be a high priority with any accounting software you use, especially if it is an online system.

With all you have to do as a small business owner, hold yourself accountable for finding the best software for your company.

About the author

Dave Thomas writes for a variety of websites on topics such as human resources and running a small business.

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