Business Software » Small Business Owners

Tally 9 Eases The Load of Small Business Owners

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:32:42 +0000

While Quickbooks may dominate the realm of small business accounting software in the US, Tally 9 is quickly becoming a fierce competitor, especially in the international market.

As a small business owner, it is important to find a software solution that can not only manage the accounting aspects of the business, but integrate related areas such as sales, marketing, inventory and others.

Today’s changing economy demands reliable software that will not only streamline the process, but not break the bank either.

What is Tally 9?

It is small business software designed for today’s global business environment. The software affords many small business owners several benefits, including:

Multi-Language ability: You can input accounts, then view them and print them in any language you choose. In addition, you can do all this at the same time. No need to worry about other users across the map trying to access the same information as you at the same time.

Payroll: An advanced payroll system can automatically calculate an employee’s salary and generate check stubs.

POS invoices: Supports barcoding, and you can print in 40-column stationery. Also supports faster entry of data.

Use it for all your companies: Use the same software for multiple companies. No separate version for each company is needed.

Advantages of Using a Fully Integrated Software Package

When you use multiple software packages to keep track of your business’ many operations your chances for error are numerous. It requires more training for the employees using it, and double work for those doing the data entry. You will have to run several different reports and compare the databases against each other to make sure figures and results are accurate.

When using a fully-integrated software package such as Tally 9, errors and double work are virtually eliminated. You don’t have spend costly hours training on and configuring multiple systems or be concerned with them working well with each other.

This software is both affordable and easy-to-use. Check it out today.

By: Blake Allen

Small Business Accounting Software – What Is It Good For?

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:55:04 +0000

Did you know that around 50% of small business owners don’t use saccounting software to process their accounting information? Many resort to the excel spreadsheet to keep track of money coming in and money going out. These small business owners would rather get on with their core business than worry about the administration tasks associated with accounting, even with a software package, because it seems like such a waste of time.

On the surface they are right. Administration does not contribute directly to earning cold hard cash, and takes the small business operator away from actually earning for the business. However, if the movement of money in and out of the business is accounted for accurately and on a timely basis, there are many benefits that come from having a package.

Enter data once and update a number of modules

The first benefit of using accounting software is having your accounting information centralized and organized, and having a system of easy retrieval. That is the beauty of a computerized database. You enter information in once and a number of areas in the accounting system can be updated so you don’t have to enter the information repeatedly.

Saves time and cuts down on errors

This saves considerable time and also cuts down on administrative errors that can be time consuming to find and fix. For example, when you make a payment for some capital equipment used by your business, the vendor file is updated, the cost account is updated, and if the accounting software has an integrated fixed asset register, that is also updated. Three areas are updated with one entry. If you maintained a manual accounting system on a spreadsheet or on paper, these three entries would have to be performed separately, wasting your valuable time, or costing you more for someone else to do the task.

Easy to find accounting information

Another benefit of the computerized database is that information is so easy to find in comparison to the manual system. If a supplier rings up and asks why they haven’t been paid, you can easily access their account information and check all previous payments and invoices entered for payment, to find the answer.

Automatically generate documents and reports

When it comes to purchasing, your purchase orders can be generated by the software, so you have a record in the system to match against the supplier invoice when you receive it. This system provides for an easy check to ensure you are being billed for, and also paying for, what was originally ordered. Checks can be printed by the accounting software instead of being manually hand written. Finally, reports can be generated at the push of a few buttons (or the click of a mouse!). Manually preparing reports can be time consuming and the process is prone to errors.

For countries that have a VAT / GST tax, it also automatically calculates the tax and generates reports for the end of month or quarter, for payment purposes.

Payroll Processing Benefits

There are benefits when it comes to payroll processing using accounting software. Most payroll processing is done on an exception basis. That means that the payroll for many small businesses are similar from week to week. Therefore, only exceptions or variations to the standard pay need to be entered into the payroll software. If there are no variations, there is very little in the way of processing.

These are just a few of the benefits of using it in a small business.

By: Graeme Wheeler

Reviews on Top 3 Payroll Tax Software for Small Business

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:52:25 +0000

If you have a small business you know that you have to keep all of your financial records as organized as possible to ensure that you can make payroll accurately as well as file an accurate and timely tax return. There are many different programs for you to choose from, which can make the process of getting organized a bit overwhelming. Most programs today are very easy to use, and once you get the hang of it you can make payroll as well as tax payments very easy to deal with.

If you need help with payroll taxes you might want to look at a program such as QuickBooks. This program is manufactured by Intuit and is one of the leading programs for small businesses that need accounting software. There are several different versions available such as QuickBooks Basic, the QuickBooks Pro, as well as QuickBooks Premier. This online tax program has time tracking software that is nice, and the program is available for both Windows and Macintosh based computers. Many find that this has all of the features that they need because it allows them to do tracking, banking, invoicing, statements, and more all in one program.

Another great small business software is Small Business Money by Microsoft. This software has been created with business in mind and allows for users to create invoices, track spending, manage cash flow, handle payroll and so much more. There are different versions of this software available so that small business owners can find the version that best suits them and their specific needs. Many report that they like Money because it is very easy to use, without all kinds of extra bells and whistles that simply get in the way.

If you need help with payroll taxes and accounting you may also want to check out Peachtree. This is a great accounting software that will allow you to track spending, handle payroll, and do basic account management very easily. The software is meant to be used by small and medium sized companies and works much like Quicken and QuickBooks, though some prefer this program and its small differences that it has.

As you can see, there are many different programs on the market today that can help small and medium sized companies handle their payroll taxes and other day to day business maintenance. Many find that trial and error is the best way to find the program that works for them. Making a list of your basic needs will help you find the program that is best for you.

By: Caitlina Fuller

Small Business Inventory Software – Choose Wisely

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:15:02 +0000

Every business needs to keep track of its inventory. In the case of small business this becomes all the more important because a lax inventory system can cause severe setback to the overall functioning of the organization. This is where small business inventory software packages come into play. These tools are able to keep track of the inventory and can also be use to take care of logistics. These tools integrate with barcode systems and the like to keep track of all aspects of your business.

Traditionally, small businesses do not follow a proper inventory keeping system. If one is in place, it is often not an adequate system and frequently has many loose ends that cause problems further down the line. The main reason for this is that most small businesses are under the impression that they do not have enough lines of products that would make an advanced inventory solution necessary. In actual fact there are plenty of small business inventory software packages especially developed and designed to take care of requirements like yours.

Most small business owners do not believe that investing in a small business inventory solution is financially viable and fail to see how this would even out returns. Some believe that a solution to suit their business process won’t even exist without purchasing a fully customised and expensive system. This is not the case!

System administration and maintenance are also some of the key reasons that people hesitate in the deployment of small business inventory software. Some businesses are worried that they would need new staff to take care of the administration. Again, this is not necessarily true.

The fact is that that small business inventory software can be far more affordable than you think, and when it comes to implementation and administration of such an automated system most of these systems are actually very simple. Software designers recognise that businesses need to keep costs down and small businesses are not looking to recruit staff to handle a system. You need not hire a computer engineer to ensure that your system functions smoothly. The software vendor will often provide you many support options which will enable you to easily administer all aspects of your small business inventory system.

The developers of these systems are concentrating more and more on keeping their systems simple and at the same time full of functionality. Some of them have also made it possible not only to use the ubiquitous, bar code system but also emerging systems like RFID tags and other wireless systems. In a number of cases, companies also provide solutions which allow you to integrate basic functionality related to the logistics of your business as well as semi-customisable options.

Above all, the vendors of small business inventory solutions are dedicated to ensuring that the price of their solution does not scare people away. This type of software is very competitive and for the customer this is a good thing. They achieve this by streamlining functionality and eliminating unused features which tend to cause what is known as software bloat. The small business inventory software tool is a must for any growing business that wishes to be organised, streamlined, lean and of course wishes to expand.

By: Dawn Smith

Choosing Essential Small Business Payroll Software

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:41:53 +0000

Large organizations have full time accounting staff to prepare the payroll. Full time professionals employed or the payroll function may be outsourced to a payroll bureau. The payroll task in a small business often falls to the proprietor demanding even more time to familiarize with current payroll legislation and a not insignificant amount of administration time that could be better spent making profits than number crunching. Small business organizations with up to ten employees producing the weekly payroll can easily take an hour or more each week calculating the income tax and national insurance contributions . An hour that could be better spent earning profits or at the very least having an extra hour of free time each week. Free time that small business owner’s value at a premium since the majority of small business owners either work or think about work from dawn to dusk 7 days a week. Payroll software to satisfy the PAYE requirements can be just one part of making that small business more efficient.

Small businesses that fail to operate a sound payroll system can produce a negative effect on the employees. Employees expect to be paid and provided the amount is a competitive rate would only rarely have an effect on staff relations. However operating a payroll system that does not provide each employee with a payslip is like telling your employee he has received a personal letter that was opened for him and discarded as not important. To the employee a payslip is very important. Every employer has a legal responsibility to provide employees with payslips and a P60 End of Year Employees Certificate. A payroll software solution satisfies employee’s essential needs and fulfills the legal requirements. Failure to provide employees with payslips can only reduce the respect hat employee has for his employer. Every employee must receive a payslip that shows the amount of income tax and national insurance deducted from the gross pay. Employers must also calculate the employer’s national insurance contribution. Employers not using a payroll software package such as available from DIY Accounting Payroll Software must design their own payslip to give to employees to satisfy legal requirements.

In the UK producing a weekly or monthly payroll can be a burdensome task to comply with the HMCE requirements. Employers operating a PAYE system without the use of payroll software need to be familiar with evolving requirements of HMCE through their website and the extensive payroll notes contained on the CD-Rom which is sent out annually. To fully appreciate all the technicalities and complete all the correct documents such as the P11 Deductions Working sheet is time consuming. It doesn’t have to be a problem. Payroll Software can automate this knowledge and functions and is available at insignificant cost. DIY Accounting Payroll Software package is available for up to 20 employees at a cost of £15 to £25. That is a payroll software package that could save a small business over an hour a week, for twenty employees more like two hours, for less than 50p per week. All small business owners should at least consider suitable efficient payroll software.

Many payroll software packages are written using databases and can put many small business owners off using them due to both the cost and the fear of the unknown complexity of using such a payroll package. Many payroll software packages written on a database provide an excellent solution but have a tendency to be extremely politically correct and cover all potential rules and regulations and consequently become more complex to operate as they can demand at least a minimum knowledge of the payroll system. There are other PAYE solutions. The DIY Accounting Payroll Software is written on excel spreadsheets requiring no payroll experience and a minimum of entries to produce all the essential calculations of income tax and employees and employers national insurance. In addition excel copies of the time consuming P11 Deductions working sheet, P60 Employees Certificate and the P35 Annual Employers Return are all automated to save the small business valuable administration time. A payroll software solution written on excel can also be used with an open office spreadsheet package but not least all the entries are visible and therefore transparent. Errors and mistakes can be easily corrected simply by changing the numbers on the payroll ensuring the payroll is produced both quickly and accurately. Payroll Software is an effective tool that should receive serious consideration by all small business proprietors.

Payroll Software also has the advantage because it can be simple and fast to use of avoiding late payments to the revenue and the consequent unwanted letters and potential fines this can invoke. By having all the information required for the monthly or quarterly revenue payments late penalties can be avoided and by producing the Annual Employers return on time small business owners can submit their returns online and receive a tax free online filing bonus. The current online foiling bonus being £150 and substantially more than the payroll software might have cost. And it’s Tax Free. As they say in Yorkshire. “If thar you ever gets owt for nowt, Tec it”

By: Terry Cartwright

Free Home Business Software Is Out There!

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:14:59 +0000

Free home business software can give you a head start to making your dreams come true. There are varieties of software programs available on the Internet that can help as you embark on your new adventure. All new entrepreneurs need gain access to information to make the important decisions that come with business ownership. With the use of free home business software, novice business owners can work like MBAs.

Accounting is one of the main areas that businesspeople need assistance with. Free home business software exists for all facets of the accounting cycle. One program very beneficial to small business owners is InstantCashBook 3. Simple and easy to use, this tool is meant to help small business operators record daily financial transactions. Enter your daily receipts and this program will prepare Income and Expense Statements. It is very easy to use and requires no formal training in accounting. InstantCashBook 3 also will prepare tax reports in a timely manner. This program is a shareware offering a free 30-day trial.

Invoicing and billing is another area that is difficult for some business owners starting out. Free home business software is obtainable for this duty as well. InstantInvoice 3 for the small business can track customer payments and outstanding invoices. It works very fast setup and is easy to use. You can print reports like invoice listings, sales by customer, and outstanding invoice lists. Individual customer statements can also be generated. It too is available as shareware free for 30 days.

Free home business software can be found for the greatest threat to your business, if you use the Internet, viruses. If you use your computer online for any reason, a worm or some other form of virus such as worms can get into your system and totally wreck your hard drive. Fortunately, there are programs out there which you can use absolutely free. One such virus protection program is avast! With the latest version you can protect your computer and thus your business’ information network. New viruses pop up all the time. To get virus protection, simply download from their website, follow the instructions, and you can use their product for one full year, free of charge!

By: Daegan Smith

Small Business Accounting Software – The Key To Staying Sane In The Insane Small Business World

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:48:14 +0000

You constantly see and/or hear about it…and it’s likely that it’s happening to you now. Small business owners with the greatest of intentions of running and growing a successful business to enhance themselves and their families lives – as well as become a productive part of society – end up getting completely bogged down by the financial aspects of running that business.

Instead of running it… because of the lack of good reliable small business accounting software…they end up ruining it.

When you go into business for yourself you’re excited. It is a very exciting prospect after all, and you have a fire inside of you to succeed that can’t be stopped. However, not long after you begin, if you haven’t set yourself up with the right financial accounting software, you get stopped nearly dead in your tracks by the influx of responsibilities that comes with the day to day grind.

To be blunt, a disorganized business is a business that’s doomed for trouble. One of the best ways, if not the best way, is to use Quickbooks to organize your business’ financial tasks. This is software created by the company Intuit and they’ve certainly shown the small business world that they’re reliable and dedicated to helping businesses succeed. In fact they’ve been going strong for 15 years now, and are easily regarded as one the most trusted brand of small business accounting software on the market.

Perhaps this is due to the fact that they’re devoted to improvement with their product, and each and every year at least, they update their software to keep up with the times, as well as simple improvements to make you, as the business owner’s life much easier.

In your business you’ve probably noticed that the tasks which are most crucial:

• Paying employees

• Invoicing customers

• Accepting and processing credit cards

• Tracking orders

• Tracking inventory

• Paying vendors and suppliers

• Tracking customer activity

• Creating estimates…that these tasks take the most time and take away your time for doing what’s crucial to your business which is growing it.

Marketing your business is what you as the business owner should spend the majority of your time on, but instead you’re literally forced to spending that time on the elements above. Of course you could hire someone to take care of all of these tasks, which is probably a great idea in itself, but you still need a system for them to use to do all of this efficiently, and in an organized manner that’s going to decrease the chance of errors.

Besides, if you hired someone for each of these tasks, it’s hardly a small business you’ve got anymore. At least not man power wise.

So this is why Quickbooks is a blessing for your business. It takes care of all of the above in one program and not strewn out all over your computer in file folders which all look the same after a while…in spreadsheets that are so annoying to update that you’d almost rather do it by hand like the good ole’ days.

Don’t let yourself fall into the trap that destroys so many businesses – businesses which could have been great if they hadn’t become victim to the red tape virus.

More than 3 million businesses have discovered the brilliance of Quickbooks and have now given themselves a much greater chance of success. Small business accounting software isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Do yourself a favor and stop losing money, and start saving time now with the help of Quickbooks!

By: Bruce D Hunter

Business Card Software for Small Business Owners

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:08:20 +0000

You’re most likely carrying one or a few of these around in your wallet. The person next to you is carrying one, and so are the people in your workplace. When you are meeting potential clients (or perhaps you’re the client), the first few minutes may involve exchanging these things around as you all make your introduction. At parties or get-togethers, you may swap one with a new acquaintance. After all, it’s a great tool for networking and generating new business. What is “it”? If you’re thinking of business cards, you got it right.

If you work for a big company or you own a small business, whether you work for yourself or you have a few people working with you, business cards are a must. Business cards are small, but they can be powerful networking tools that can help generate more business for you. Because of this, it’s important that you keep yourself well-stocked with business cards, keeping a few them handy in your wallet so you won’t get caught off guard and without it when you meet people who could potentially become a customer or help you in your business. You can have your business cards made to order in the thousands, but you can also create and design your own business cards with the help of business card software.

Business card software has been used by many over the years. In fact, those business card that you ordered from a printing company were actually created using a business card software. In the past, creating a business card was a tedious process that involved printing, registration, mixing colors and drying. That is hardly the case today, thanks to business card software, which has made it easy for anyone to create and print business cards. You don’t need to have any fancy equipment in order to create business cards; all that is needed is a business card software installed in a computer, a little creativity and a printer. Office supply stores are now well-stocked with business card paper that’s already perforated. They come in a variety of designs and textures too so you can create the business cards that you want.

Business card software is pretty easy and simple to use. It provides step-by-step instructions: from picking the design you want to choosing the font face and size, laying out the elements in your business card and even choosing what kind of paper to print your business cards on. The more expensive business card software programs will even let you design logos and backgrounds. You can find out more information on business software at http://www.ilevelsoftware.com

If you work for a large company, your company is likely to provide you with your business cards. Instead of using business card software to create business cards, your company may be outsourcing the business cards it provides to its employees. However, if you run your own business, investing on a business card software may prove to be more economical in the long run for you (and your small staff). You can keep yourself and everyone well-stocked with business cards, and you can print them whenever it’s needed.

By: Dean Forster