Introducing Accounting Software Review Pack

Software consultants have many skills, some of which are “problem solving” and “providing independent advice” on software applications. With the recent release of Accounting Software Review Pack
by Software Shortlist Pty Ltd, designed for the consumer to choose a
product, here you will find unbiased support notes detailing cost,
functionality and reporting features plus more. However, I see this
publication as a valuable tool for software consultants to help their
clients & potential clients, as a powerful problem solver which
will save countless hours of researching, thereby allowing the
consultant to create help for their services in a structured way.

An extract from one of their recent blogs. “Software Shortlist (http://www.softwareshortlist.com ) showcases 10 leading small business accounting software products. This covers all of the major accounting software solutions, including the up-and-coming online offerings. Their expert has taken an
independent view of these offerings, defining feature mappings, giving
star ratings by dimension, and writing detailed reviews for each
product.” This Review Pack available as a Review Pack" href="http://www.softwareshortlist.com/products/accoun..., but only for a
limited time”.

Products showcased: Xero, MYOB Accounting, Quickbooks Accounting, Clarity Accounting, Clearbooks, KashFlow, MoneyWorks Express, Peachtree First Accounting 2010, Saasu, Simply Accounting. Listed below a brief extract on Product and Reviewer Comments.

• Xero: http://www.xero.com.au (overall rating 5 out of 5 stars) Reviewer Comments: An online accounting product that is leading the field. Xero is well designed,
  easy to use and delivers world –class functionality.
• MYOB Accounting: http://www.myob.com.au (overall rating 4 out of 5 stars) Reviewer Comments: MYOB is a market leader in its field. It is very well accepted by the accounting
  community, having set the standards historically.
• Quickbooks: http://www.quickbooks.com.au (overall rating 4 out of 5 stars) Reviewer Comments: If it exists, Quickbooks probably has it covered somehow. These products
  offer everything you need. You just have to deal with a corporate
  giant!
• Saasu: http://www.saasu.com.au (overall rating 3 out of 5 stars) Reviewers Comments: Saasu is the pioneer in the online accounting space. With a great
  feature set, combined with its value for money, you can’t go wrong.

On-line Applications

With the hub and excitement of the release of iPad and quick and easy access to web based applications, (Saas/Cloud Computing/Web-based; is a monthly subscription service) the trend of using web-based accounting
solutions is accepted as the norm and I see more companies moving
towards implementation of Web-based systems and applications into their
business. The benefits of using this mode is they have the added
enhancement of remote access, collaboration, superb reporting and
integration with other software applications known as third party
applications. i.e. online payroll applications, job costings,
inventory, purchasing, scheduling, project management, stock control and
automatic backups. Users of On-Line Applications no longer need to wait
for software vendors to release their product updates by CD, the
updates are done automatically as part of the monthly subscription,
infrastructure costs will dramatically reduce as no more
installation/deployment & additionally license costs need to be
budgeted for. It is important to note users require reliable internet
access at all times. Software development and enhanced applications are
perpetually evolving, I firmly believe On-line web-based applications
are the way to go; this is the way of the future for the “next-gen of
accounting.

Off-line Applications

For those who do not have a reliable internet connection and who do not think that web-based software is for them, there is a vast range of traditional boxed software applications readily available from vendors
and resellers.

Choosing the right software application for any business is a daunting task for most small business owners. The user needs to clearly define how their business is structured for taxation & GST
purposes, understand the frequency of recording, reporting and paying
GST Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Job Costings, Inventory and
Payroll & PAYG.

Once having purchased the “Box with all the Bells and Whistles” what now!! Some attempt to install themselves, other get their friends neighbour’s sibling to install – “because he/she learned it at school”!!
, others seek professional advice and it is the latter who succeed in
learning how to use their product in the correct manner. I recommend
users seek out a specialist who is “accredited as a consultant for that
particular application” so that all users within your organization are
trained proficiently, build a relationship with your specialist, get
them to come in on a monthly or quarterly basis to do a “health check on
the business performance” and who can assist with rectification of
issues in now time rather than after the fact.

As a business owner, learn how to use this product correctly first before delegating to internal admin staff, take the time to learn the product using all the features readily available within the application,
in the way the software was designed to use, providing excellent tools
to track business revenue, monitor cash flows, reporting business
expenses, compliance with record keeping requirements, provide planning
and budget reports to ensure the business owner understands how their
business is running now and in 6 – 12 months time. Choosing the correct
software is not only an investment in money & resources but also
your valuable time.

SPECIAL END OF FINANCIAL YEAR OFFER

Xero Subscription: If you wish to subscribe to Xero before the end of June 2010, feel free to contact me by email: jill@jillofalltrades.com.au to receive your June & July subscription FREE. This will enable you
to have your systems up and running before 30^th June. I am
able to provide support on installation, conversions and training with
on-going support packs designed for small business.