The Best Accounting Software
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CREDIT: Dreamstime
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Small business owners know that running a successful operation requires keeping things organized and knowing where every penny goes. Many lean on accounting software to help manage the details, improve client relations and streamline routine tasks.
Today there are numerous all-in-one software options that can manage the various aspects of small business accounting needs, including invoicing, customer and vendor contact information, inventory, payroll and reporting.
With such a wide variety, the most helpful accounting software for a business depends on the business type.
Our sister site, TopTenREVIEWS, does extensive in-depth reviews of accounting software. Here are the Top 3 recommendations for accounting software.
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#1 Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2012
Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting earned this year's top ranking for its ability to successfully administer all aspects of a business. It manages vendors, payroll, reports, cash flow and online banking. New features for 2012 include the ability to copy transactions – including invoices, quotes, proposals and purchase orders – and improved reporting and analysis with Sage Peachtree Business Intelligence. Overall, the software is easy to use even for non-accountants, and offers increased options as businesses grow.
Ease of Use: The software does not use complex accounting terms, however it has the journals, ledgers and reports that an accountant needs. It also has an audit trail tool the can help detect errors and track transaction history. The software is presented in a workflow format so users can quickly perform routine processes.
Help and Support: Offers monthly and yearly support as well as three levels of Sage Business Care plan. The monthly plan includes telephone, email and chat support and access to an online support library. The yearly plan includes the monthly support options plus Excel support, data recovery, password retrieval and study guides. The Business Care plans include Silver, Gold and Platinum plans that offer a variety of support options including upgrades, product and service discounts, unlimited support and online training. Other support options include a knowledgebase, embedded support, the Sage forum, Year-End Center and Accounting 101 Center.
Costs: To compare costs, visit TopTenREVIEWS' best accounting software comparisons.
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QuickBooks Pro 2011 took home this year's TopTenREVIEW's Silver award for its ability to help users bill clients, manage inventory, track employee hours and create professional invoices and estimates through one simple-to-use interface. New features in this latest version of the software include the ability to send email through webmail services such as Yahoo! or Gmail instead of just through Outlook, and a new customer snapshot function that gives users an overview of a their activities, including their most-purchased item, payments received and balances. In addition, the new Collection Center can quickly show overdue accounts and batch-email late statements with a copy of the applicable invoice.
Ease of Use: From installation to reporting, the software is one of the easiest to use. Itcomes with a tool to import past data and has an auto-fill function that helps users create invoices, pay vendors and manage employees easily.
Help and Support: The software comes with help files and access to online support offered by Intuit. The basic email support, such as help with registration, passwords and download issues, is free of charge. For telephone support, two service plans are available: a month-by-month plan and an annual support plan. The plans include 100 GBs of online data backup and data recovery. New users are also eligible for one hour of free support time.
Costs: To compare costs, visit TopTenREVIEWS' best accounting software comparisons.
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Bookkeeper earned high marks for its long list of easy-to-use accounting tools at a low price. Bookkeeper can be used to write checks, create invoices and estimates, reconcile bank accounts, track jobs and manage inventory. It also offers more than 125 reporting options, which can easily be exported to Excel and other programs. A labeling program, free data backup and three months of free credit card processing and a card reader are also offered.
Ease of Use: The software is easy to use and walks users through what can be a confusing process, especially for small business owners who have never before used an accounting program.
Help and Support: The software comes with embedded support and a printed book-style user guide. Users also have access to FAQs and other information online. Free phone support is also offered to registered users.
Costs: To compare costs, visit TopTenREVIEWS' best accounting software comparisons.
See full accounting software reviews on the top 10 products at TopTenREVIEWS. See BusinessNewsDaily’s Small Business Resource Center for more business product reviews.
Chad Brooks is a Chicago-based freelance business and technology writer who has worked in public relations and spent 10 years as a newspaper reporter. You can reach him at chadgbrooks@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @cbrooks76.