Choosing the Right Accounts

To get the right package for your business, you need to define your business requirements and then match them to the available packages. A good way to do this is to decide on the overall requirements first, then consider the more detailed requirements within that framework.

Your package must meet all the statutory (legal) requirements that apply to your business and must continue to do so in the future, by, for example, submitting annual accounts that meet defined accountancy standards. Some requirements apply equally to all businesses, but others are specific to particular businesses and the way they operate. For example, a business that deals mostly in cash will keep accounts in a different way to a business that does not. If you have been running your business with manual accounts then you will probably be familiar with these requirements, but if not, your accountant will be able to help.

You need to consider what help you will need to set up, install and maintain your accounts package. For example, if you need to send in your VAT return, but a problem occurs with your accounts package, you need to be able to solve the problem very quickly to avoid penalties for a late return. You need a person or support organisation that you can rely on to sort out this type of problem.

The size of your business.
A business that generates £50,000 in sales each year has very different needs than a multimillion-pound business. If you're a smaller firm, don’t overbuy when it comes to software because you'll only get something more complicated than you need.

The industry you're in.
What industry is your business in? Some industries have specialized software you may want to consider purchasing since it's been designed with your specific needs in mind. Most of the time, industry specific software will be more expensive, but the benefits may outweigh the costs so be sure to do your research before buying anything.

The components you need.
What components do you want within the software? Some software is very basic, having just simple checkbook features; others include such modules as budgeting, invoicing, online banking interfaces, credit card processing and so on.

Ease of use.
When it comes to choosing software, this aspect is often overlooked, but it's one that's extremely important to take into account. No matter how great the software or how inexpensive, if it’s too cumbersome or hard to learn, you won’t use it. So don’t go overboard by purchasing a package that offers extra things your company doesn’t really need. Keep it simple, stay focused on your business's needs, and look for those programs that have easy interfaces and offer possible upgrades as your business expands.

Sage
Without a doubt sage is the most widely used accountancy package and we can provide you with discounts, set up and support and offer you the best sage package dependant on your current business needs. Contact us today for a free no obligation assesment.