Selecting the right accounting software is a critical decision for any business. As such, it’s essential to do some preliminary research to ensure it meets your specific needs. Below we’ll cover some crucial questions and considerations to help guide your decision. Additionally, if your organization uses Salesforce, we highly recommend going with Accounting Seed. Accounting Seed is an accounting application that seamlessly integrates with Salesforce. We’ll be highlighting Accounting Seed throughout this blog but are happy to explore this further with you to see if Accounting Seed is right for your organization – contact us here.
1. Who Will Use the Software?
- User Count: Determine how many people will need access to the software.
- Location: Are your users all in one office, or spread across multiple locations?
- Accounting Knowledge: Assess whether the users are familiar with accounting concepts.
2. Key Tasks and Features
Identify the essential tasks your accounting software needs to handle. Common tasks include:
- Invoicing: Creating and sending invoices.
- Expense Logging: Tracking business expenses.
- Payment Recording: Recording incoming and outgoing payments.
- Time Tracking: Monitoring time spent on various projects.
- Report Generation: Creating management reports.
- Currency Conversion: Managing transactions in multiple currencies.
3. Software Integration
Consider the other software systems you currently use (such as Salesforce, as discussed earlier). Do you need your accounting software to integrate with these systems, or will it replace them? Integration can streamline your processes and improve efficiency.
4. Multi-Currency Transactions
If your business trades or accepts payments in different currencies, managing exchange rates can be challenging. For example, Accounting Seed simplifies this by automatically converting currencies and keeping rates up-to-date.
5. Billing for Time and Materials
For businesses that bill clients for time and materials, it’s crucial to have a system that allows team members to input timesheets and expense reports, which can then be billed to customers.
6. Industry-Specific Requirements
Some industries have unique accounting and reporting rules. Ensure that it can meet the specific requirements of your industry.
7. Payroll Management
Evaluate how you handle payroll. Accounting Seed, for example, offers the ability to import payroll information from providers like ADP and Paychex. Check with your payroll provider to ensure compatibility with our software.
8. Involve Key Employees
When evaluating, involve key employees such as accountants, company leaders (CEO, COO), project managers, and IT representatives. They can provide valuable insights and different perspectives on how the software can be used effectively.
By considering these factors and involving the right stakeholders, you can make an informed decision about which accounting software is the right fit for your business. Ready for us to show you how Accounting Seed integrates with Salesforce to save you time and money? Contact us today!