#3: Why do Service-Based Business Owners Like FreshBooks?įreshBooksis the invoicing and accounting tool that I use for my small business and the one that I recommend to the most service-based business owners. You’re busy running and growing your business, so I would avoid tools that make you feel like you need an accounting degree to use it! If 68% of small business owners reported that they are intimidated by accounting software, it makes sense to find one that is easy to learn. In a recent survey of 300 North American-based accountants and bookkeepers, 71% said their small business clients use QuickBooks desktop or QuickBooks online, but 83% said it’s typical for small business owners to make a mistake when using it. You also want to make sure you have the budget to pay your bookkeeper or account to fix any errors that you make in the tool, especially due to the results of a survey conducted by FreshBooks.
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Your bookkeeper and accountant won’t necessarily have the background knowledge to help point out where numbers seem off, so you want to make sure you understand how to use the tool. However, it’s still important that you know how to read the reports to spot potential errors. QuickBooks is also good for small business owners who have grown the size of their business and volume and can afford to outsource the daily/weekly/monthly management of their finances to someone else. QuickBooks is great for small business owners who have inventory, but if you have a service-based business, QuickBooks is probably more robust and complicated than you need. Here’s an example of what a Profit & Loss statement in Excel would look like: I checked with two CPAs and both confirmed that an Excel spreadsheet with all the correct numbers to create a Profit and Loss Statement was perfectly fine for most small business owners, especially when you are starting out and there aren’t a lot of transactions per month. Don’t overcomplicate things and assume that you have to use QuickBooks. #1: Can I Use An Excel Spreadsheet for My Small Business Accounting?įor aspiring entrepreneurs, using a spreadsheet is perfectly acceptable when starting out. Let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of each one so you can make an informed decision. There are four main tools that I’ve seen small business owners use, including: Which Accounting Tool Is Right for Your Small Business? Hire a bookkeeper or accountant for your business, adding to your financial obligations and spending hundreds to thousands of dollars each month and year to continuously manage your finances.Use it incorrectly and need to spend more money having a bookkeeper or accountant to fix it and set it up correctly.If you get a tool that is too robust or complicated for what you need and want, which seems to be the case for many who get QuickBooks, then you will likely:
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Having looked at several accounting tools, I encourage you to take advantage of the free trials and try out the software before you commit. Why You Need Simple, Easy-to-Understand Accounting Software As a small business owner, there are four main accounting software solutions to consider for your type of business and budget. I find that many entrepreneurs are paying for accounting software that their accountant or CPA recommended ( which is usually QuickBooks), but they don’t know how to use the tool and are 100% dependent on their CPA to tell them what to do.įinding the right tool that’s easy to understand and use will allow you to better manage your money and make better business decisions based on your financial data. There is a lot of anxiety about dealing with numbers and confusion in using accounting systems, so many small business owners just don’t look at their finances. Most entrepreneurs are great are creating their products or delivering their services, but struggle with managing the finances for their small businesses. They are easy to use and keep you organized. These are the best accounting software programs for small business owners. One vital tool every business needs is great accounting software.
Save time and money by choosing the right tools you need to stay on track.