Running a business can be one of the most rewarding endeavors a person could have: you’re working hard and industriously while helping people in your community (or all over the world) get a product or service they need. Building and managing your own business takes grit, determination, and a state of continuous learning. One area where learning is constantly ongoing seems to be when it comes to accounting. The following will take a look at some of the newer developments in accounting as of late and break down how these advancements could benefit your business.
What Is Accounting?
Accounting is a blanket term for keeping systematic and detailed records of all the financial transactions involved in your business. This means detailing what money was spent where and what money was gained, and where. Accounting gives you a clear image of your business’s financial situation, helps you develop projections, ensures statutory compliance, and assists with the filing of financial statements. Sometimes small businesses have a manager or an employee who is great with organization and numbers (and not prone to making foolish errors like typos) who handles the work. Some businesses hire an accountant from outside the business. Others use a combination of internal and external professionals to manage their accounting.
Accounting Is Crucial For Your Business’s Success
Accounting is absolutely necessary—if you’re currently running a business, you already know this. If you’re reading this article in advance of starting a business, you’re going to figure that out really soon. Not only is accounting going to help you and other members of your team stay on top of your expenses and earnings (which in turn can help you identify areas of improvement or manage product orders to minimize out-of-stock scenarios), it’s legally required. Messing up on your taxes can result in a ton of headaches and fines, and sometimes even legal action if it looks like you made a mistake on purpose. Tax fraud or evasion is a serious crime in the eyes of many, and your business is going to suffer severely if you’re dealing with legal proceedings regarding them.
Accounting Software Stores Everything In One Place
Accounting software is computer programming that saves all the accounting information you need in one place. Typically, the software allows users to create invoices (safely keeping a copy for themselves and sending one to a client), organize (via labeling or categorizing) transactions, monitor expenses (again organized through a labeling system or categorization method of your choosing), pay bills, manage employees, create financial reports, and manage taxes. All of these tasks require overlapping information, so by storing it in a single location and using it within that location, you’re saving yourself a ton of time and energy transferring information.
Accounting Software Is Easy To Learn
Technology is slowly infiltrating every area of our work and home lives—are you surprised that accounting software is also developing at a rapid pace? While Quickbooks is the most popular option for small and medium-sized businesses, there are dozens of others. As stated in this blog post titled Quickbooks Training and Support, it might seem daunting at first to learn how to enter what you need into the software, but there are tutorials that are designed to guide you through the initial learning curve. Once you see how simple it is (and how much time and effort it saves you, especially around tax season), you’re not going to want to go back. Depending on the industry you’re in, this learning curve might require some aspects that are specific to your field. If you’re hiring outside help, ask about the bookkeeper or accountant’s experience with your industry.
Accounting Software Addresses Environmental Concerns
Of course, one of the non-business benefits of using accounting software is the limitation on paper files needed. Less paper used is better for the planet (and your expenses). Not to mention, less storage space needed in the office might result in a more aesthetically pleasing work environment. We all know that employees are more productive in spaces that are better looking. Less filing cabinets can give you more visual space for things like office plants or a comfy chair.
The above reasons should have illustrated why accounting software for your small business might be the right choice for you and your employees and co-workers. Take the time to speak with your accountant, bookkeeper, or accounting team to ensure that everyone’s needs are understood when choosing a program to adopt. As with any business alteration, ensure that you’re conducting regular audits to see if there are any areas of improvement available. Ask staff members what they would need to do their jobs even more efficiently and see what solutions you can find.
