Small Business Accounting
Best Small Business Accounting Software Options for Business Owners
Accounting involves recording, categorizing and analyzing a business’ financial details. It’s essentially “the language of business” because it provides essential information about the company.
Accounting is vital because it enables business owners to comply with tax and other financial requirements and enables them to make informed business decisions. Even if you have an accountant or bookkeeper dealing with your daily number-crunching tasks, you still should understand the fundamentals of your company’s finances.
Recent small business accounting articles
Key Accounting Formulas Every Small Business Owner Should Know
November 12, 2018
For the average business owner, do-it-yourself accounting can be overwhelming. There’s the jargon to decipher and the pressure to get it right. Add in any math anxieties and you might …
8 Accounting Blogs and Online Resources for Free Small Business Advice
October 2, 2018
Being a business owner can feel like you need to be an expert on every aspect of your company—marketing, sales, accounting, logistics, social media, law, human resources. But there are …
How To Use QuickBooks Online
October 1, 2018
If the day were comprised of 25, or even 30, hours, that still wouldn’t be enough time for many small business owners to complete everything on their daily to-do lists. …
6 Best Trucking Accounting Software Programs of 2018
September 19, 2018
While standard accounting software works well for businesses in most industries, there are some fields where specialized software may make bookkeeping much more streamlined. The trucking industry is a good …
Why Small Business Owners Should Know About Assets, Liabilities and Equity
September 14, 2018
Running a business in itself a balancing act. But there’s one more task every small business owner should be doing that actually includes the word “balance:” Creating a balance sheet. …
What is Bookkeeping & What Does a Bookkeeper Do?
September 13, 2018
Like with many jobs, bookkeepers wear many hats. Their day-to-day work can differ depending on the type of industry they are employed in. That said, there are a few general …
9 Small Business Accounting Best Practices to Consider
September 13, 2018
If you want to be successful in business, you’re going to have to learn how to keep the books in order. According to the Small Business Administration, learning accounting is …
Finding the best business accounting software
Business accounting software comes with many different functions, from tracking income and spending to running payroll for employees. At the very least, you need to be able to invoice customers and receive payments, as well as have a way to track it all. You also want a method for monitoring the overall financial health of your company.
Technology is your friend in this endeavor. But with so many tech tools for business accounting on the market, it can be tricky to choose the best one. Before you begin your search, make a list of the things you want your accounting solution to do, ranked in order of importance.
Once you know what you want in an accounting software package, you’re ready to start your search. Here’s a handy list of some of the best small business accounting software options on the market to help you decide. Check out the features, cost, and the pros and cons of each solution to help you narrow down your search.
Consider the following:
- Do you need invoicing functionality?
- Is mobile access essential?
- Will you be running payroll?
- Is cost savings more important than usability?
Separating business and personal finances
Keeping business and personal finances separate is the No. 1 rule for new business owners — even for a freelancer launching a side gig as a sole proprietor. Before you invoice your first client for a product or service, you should set up a separate bank account under your business name — or under your personal name if you’re a sole proprietor. Use this account for any money coming into your business or funds you spend on business needs. If you want to use any of your business money for personal affairs, transfer it into a personal account.
Maintaining this separation is essential not only because it allows you to accurately track the finances of your business, it also eases your business tax payments, enables you to track business write-offs, facilitates any audits you might undergo and discourages you from spending money you need for your business on personal whims. If you are planning to use accounting software, chances are you can link it to your bank account — a function that benefits you only if the account is dedicated to your business.
Bookkeeping articles
5 small business accounting tips
Here are some valuable tips and tricks to keep in mind when approaching your business’ books.
Keeping accurate books is one of a business owner’s most essential tasks. Failing to keep correct records can quickly become a problem. You might fail to price your products profitably, follow up on late payments or pay back debts on time. You might spend beyond your means. There are many other pitfalls in store if you keep sloppy books — don’t find out what they are.
This essential financial tracking tool provides a snapshot of business finances and helps track cash inflow and outflow. An accurate, up-to-date balance sheet allows you to analyze and compare various aspects of your business.
Decide whether you are going to keep your books using the cash or the accrual method of accounting. Cash accounting — the more common method — accounts only for payments that are received. Accrual accounting counts a transaction when an order is placed or a service occurs.
A big mistake some small business owners make is to mingle personal and business finances — many have a single bank account for both. Every business — even a sole proprietorship — should have its own bank account, debit or credit card and checks.
It’s very easy to spring for bells and whistles regarding services or software you choose for your business. Maybe you’ll need it eventually, so why not? But a primary goal of every business owner should be keeping costs down, so think carefully about what is essential to your business processes before committing.
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