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7 Things to Consider Before Buying Small Business Accounting Software  by: William Siebler The world of small business accounting software can be a minefield for any business owner. However choosing the right package is one of the most critical business decisions you will make. Here are the seven things you must consider before making a purchase that will help you achieve your businesses goals. 1. Scalability Businesses change over time so it's critical that the small business accounting software you choose can change too. Some things that often change are the number of products and services offered and the number of employees. When you choose your package try and imaging the business in 5 years or 10 years time and how different it will be. Use this information to guide your purchase decision. It may well be better to pay a little more now for the software knowing that it can be easily upgraded when needed with minimum disruption and cost to your business. 2. Support It is important that any software has great support for when something goes wrong (and it always does). Most major companies offer support but you also need to think about support in your local area. It's often much easier to have someone locally come in and do things you need done with your software than have someone trying to help you over the phone. Make some enquiries with other businesses about the package they use and who helps them. 3. Accountant Interface It's most unlikely you will handle every aspect of your businesses accounting. Your accountant is an important factor in making the right decision. What software are they used to working with and what do they prefer? Can you easily supply them data and reports from your package without the need for any extra work (which you'll have to pay for). Don't be afraid to ask their opinion as they live and breathe this stuff. 4. Best Value For Money Once you have selected the right package for your business you may as well get the best value. Shop around as the price can vary greatly and the product is exactly the same. Online merchants such as Amazon may offer better pricing because of the sheer volume of products they sell. However price is only one part of the equation so if their is great merchant locally with support or installation assistance this may be far more valuable. 5. Major Brands There are two major players in the small business accounting software market. They are QuickBooks and Peachtree. Microsoft is expected to enter the market soon. I recommend choosing a major brand so that you can get regular updates and you know the company will be around as long as your business needs them. 6. Ease of Use Ease of use is a personal thing but it is worth trying the software before you buy it if you can. Remember to get the person who will be the main user to test the software as well. Also consider how well the package can interact with other software you use. This is an advantage the Microsoft package may have when it's available. 7. Features Needed I touched on this earlier when talking about thinking ahead as to where you business will be in 5 or 10 years time. Most accounting software packages come in several different versions. If you don't need certain features now and can't see a need for them in the future then don't buy them. The major differences are usually - number of users allowed, inventory management capability and number of reports available. To sum up think ahead when planning your purchase of small business accounting software. You will make a much smarter business decision that will save you plenty of trouble and money in the future. About the author: Please visit us for more information and a feature by feature comparison of: Small Business Accounting Software

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01/05/2009 04:50 PM

Sharp drop in small business loans (CNN Money)

The credit freeze afflicting America's small businesses shows no signs of thawing. In the last three months of 2008, the Small Business Administration's flagship loan-guarantee program backed less than half the number of loans it approved a year earlier - a sign that fewer entrepreneurs are getting financing to start or expand their ventures.

01/05/2009 03:34 PM

Small-business leaders, aerospace group give Colorado lawmakers their wish lists (BizJournals)

A group of small-business leaders on Monday asked Colorado lawmakers to avoid new regulations and to keep them “at the table” in the legislative session that begins in two days.

01/05/2009 09:47 PM

New Course Offered for Small Business Owners (KOLR - KSFX Ozarks)

(Springfield, MO) -- Downtown Springfield business owners put their heads together on Monday night at the first of many small business education courses offered at OTC.

01/05/2009 02:58 PM

Small-Business Owners Cut Spending, Jobs as Revenues Fall (Gallup)

The Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index hit a new low in the fourth quarter of 2008, with many small-business owners saying they are generating less revenue, cutting capital spending, and eliminating jobs.

01/05/2009 03:19 AM

Los Angeles-area small-business lender receives cash infusion (Los Angeles Times)

Valley Economic Development Center gets $15 million from the city of Los Angeles and $1 million from Merrill Lynch to bolster nearly drained loan funds. After nearly running out of money in its small-business loan funds last month, Valley Economic Development Center Inc. of Van Nuys says it is getting $16 million to enable it to continue to lend to Southern California firms caught in the ...

01/05/2009 07:04 PM

The Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce recognizes Hilltop Publishers as the 2009 Small Business o (Tehachapi News)

The Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce has selected Hilltop Publishers as the 2009 small business of the year for their continuous involvement and support of local charitable organizations and community volunteerism. Small in stature at less than five feet tall, publisher Claudia Henson is big on community service. It's difficult to attend community events and meetings without ...

01/05/2009 12:36 PM

Is Your Small Business Web Provider Up to the Task? (HispanicBusiness.com)

A strong Web presence can work wonders for a new or small business looking to grow or expand its customer base. Choosing the right Internet Service Provider (ISP) to host a Web site is an important decision a small-business owner will make, particularly when starting out.

01/05/2009 10:10 AM

Banks tighten small business lending as demand falls (Daily Telegraph)

Banks are continuing to tighten small business lending terms and increase profit margins Bank of England data shows.

01/05/2009 05:37 PM

Chris Gunn: ASBL Campaigns to Stop Fraud and Abuse in Small Business Contracting Programs (HuffingtonPost)

The American Small Business League released the following play list via YouTube today.

01/05/2009 08:00 AM

Kansas Small Business Development Center Launches New and Improved Online Resource Center at ... (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)

TOPEKA, Kan.----Today small business owners and entrepreneurs have easier access to the tools they need to start and grow a business – especially in these tough economic times. Kansas Small Business Development Center has launched its enhanced Web site at http://www.kansas.gov/ksbdc.