| As you likely know, there are thousands of | | | | magazine articles. |
| accounting software packages in the marketplace | | | | Include products that you are aware of as well as |
| today. As a small business owner - whether | | | | products you read and hear about from others. If |
| you're just starting out or a veteran - you need | | | | possible, talk to your competitors and ask them |
| to determine best choice for your business. | | | | what they use and add these to the list as well. |
| Whether you're looking to upgrade your current | | | | QuickBooks, Peachtree and MYOB are just a few. |
| system or to install accounting software for the | | | | Creating a list of 5-10 potential solutions is |
| first time, the steps to a successful transition | | | | probably most manageable. |
| from what you're doing now to more productive | | | | Step 3: Request brochures and references: |
| are in the same: determine what results you'd like | | | | Contact each vendor and request their latest |
| to see, research the available software options, | | | | brochure and references list. Make sure to ask |
| and then select the best one that's within your | | | | the references when they implemented the |
| budget. | | | | software, if they are satisfied and if they have |
| We've provided a simple step-by-step process to | | | | had any problems. |
| help guide you through the decision process: | | | | Step 4: Try out a few: Once you've identified |
| Step 1: Understand YOUR needs: You probably | | | | several packages that seem to fit your budget |
| have decent ideas of what your needs are - | | | | and needs, try them out. |
| perhaps you want to be able to access your | | | | 1 Download a trial version, post some |
| software from anywhere or don't want to install | | | | transactions, and closely evaluate the program's |
| any peripheral software. Also, have a general idea | | | | ease of use and the reports it can produce. |
| of how much your company can spend. To help | | | | 2. Find out how many certified consultants there |
| you avoid sticker shock, software that might | | | | are in your area. Contact one or two and ask |
| work for a nonprofit with a $2 million budget can | | | | about their rates, length of installation time, |
| cost as little as $200 for one user or as much as | | | | upgrade charges, etc. Keep in mind that you're |
| $20,000 for several users. | | | | trying to get a sense of the overall picture, |
| Step 2: List possible solutions: Make a list of all of | | | | beyond just the software functionality |
| the products that might meet your needs. To get | | | | 3. Determine whether the software can produce |
| started, it is always helpful to educate yourself | | | | the reports you've designed. |
| about the accounting software packages that are | | | | These days, accounting software has been tested |
| out there. The Internet can help by making it | | | | in the marketplace for many years, so it's hard to |
| faster and easier to locate information. But you | | | | go completely wrong in your choice. Take your |
| may also choose to attend independent or vendor | | | | time and do your homework - a little preparation |
| sponsored seminars, or consult newspaper and | | | | goes a long way. |