Accounting Software for Small Businesses: 5 Best Options and Features to Look for

As a small business owner, you understand the importance of keeping track of your finances. From managing expenses to tracking revenue, accurate accounting is crucial for the success of your business. This is where accounting software comes in.

This blog post will discuss the benefits of using accounting software for small businesses. We’ll cover the basics of accounting software, how it can help streamline your business operations, and which features to look for when choosing a solution.

By the end of this post, you’ll better understand why accounting software is essential for your small business and what to consider when selecting the right solution for your needs. Let’s get started!

Accounting Software for Small Business 2

Key Features to Look for

When choosing accounting software for your small business, it’s important to consider which features will be most beneficial for your specific needs. Here are some key features to look for:

A. Financial Tracking and Reporting:

Accounting software should allow you to track and report all your financial transactions in one place. This includes income, expenses, and cash flow. Look for software that will enable you to customise reports and gives you access to real-time data.

B. Invoicing and Billing:

Invoicing and billing are essential functions for any business. Choose accounting software that allows you to create and send professional-looking invoices, track payments, and manage overdue accounts. Some software may also include automated invoicing and recurring billing features.

C. Inventory Management:

If your business involves selling physical products, inventory management is critical. Look for accounting software that allows you to track inventory levels, create purchase orders, and generate reports on inventory performance.

D. Payroll Management:

Payroll is one of the most time-consuming and complex business aspects. Accounting software that includes payroll management features can save you time and reduce the risk of errors. Look for software that can handle tax calculations, direct deposit, and employee self-service.

E. Tax Management:

Small business owners are responsible for keeping accurate records and filing taxes correctly. Accounting software that includes tax management features can simplify this process. Look for software to handle sales tax, calculate deductions, and generate tax reports.

F. Integration with Other Software:

Many small businesses use multiple software tools to manage their operations. Look for accounting software that integrates with your other devices, such as CRM, e-commerce, or project management software. This can help streamline your workflow and reduce manual data entry.

G. Security and Data Backup:

Keeping your financial data secure is essential. Look for accounting software with security features such as two-factor authentication, data encryption, and user permissions. Choosing software that offers automatic data backups and recovery options is also vital in case of system failure or data loss.

Accounting Software for Small Business 3

Top Accounting Software Options for Small Businesses

Many accounting software options are available for small businesses, each with its features, pricing, and pros and cons. Here are five top options to consider:

A. Sage Accounting

Overview of Features: Sage Accounting is a cloud-based accounting software offering invoice, cash flow tracking, and financial reporting features. It also includes inventory management, project tracking, and integrations with popular payment providers.
Pricing: Sage Accounting offers three pricing plans ranging from £12 per month for the Start plan to £25 per month for the Accounting plan. A third plan, the Accounting + Payroll plan, is available for £30 per month.
Pros and Cons: Sage Accounting offers robust features and integrations, making it a good choice for businesses that need advanced functionality. However, the pricing can be more expensive compared to other options, and the user interface may be less intuitive for some users.

B. Xero Accounting

Overview of Features: Xero Accounting is a cloud-based accounting software offering invoice, expense tracking, and financial reporting features. It also includes inventory management, project tracking, and integrations with popular payment providers.
Pricing: Xero Accounting offers three pricing plans ranging from £10 per month for the Starter plan to £30 per month for the Premium plan. A fourth plan, the Premium 5 plan, is available for £40 per month.
Pros and Cons: Xero Accounting offers a user-friendly interface and strong mobile app, making it a popular choice for small businesses. However, some users may find the pricing more expensive than other options, and customer support may not be as responsive.

C. QuickBooks Online

Overview of Features: QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting software offering invoice, expense tracking, and financial reporting features. It also includes inventory management, project tracking, and integrations with popular payment providers.
Pricing: QuickBooks Online offers four pricing plans ranging from £7.50 per month for the Self-Employed plan to £27.50 per month for the Advanced plan.
Pros and Cons: QuickBooks Online offers many features and integrations, making it a versatile option for small businesses. However, some users may find the user interface less intuitive than other options, and customer support may be less responsive.

D. Iris Accounting

Overview of Features: Iris Accounting is a cloud-based accounting software offering invoice, cash flow tracking, and financial reporting features. It also includes inventory management, project tracking, and integrations with popular payment providers.
Pricing: Iris Accounting offers two pricing plans ranging from £20 per month for the Accounting Essentials plan to £30 per month for the Accounting and Payroll plan.
Pros and Cons: Iris Accounting offers solid features and integrations, making it a good choice for businesses that need advanced functionality. However, the pricing may be more expensive than other options, and customer support may be less responsive.

E. SAP Accounting

Overview of Features: SAP Accounting is a cloud-based accounting software offering invoice, expense tracking, and financial reporting features. It also includes inventory management, project tracking, and integrations with popular payment providers.
Pricing: SAP Accounting offers a custom pricing model based on the needs of your business.
Pros and Cons: SAP Accounting offers solid features and integrations, making it a good choice for businesses with complex needs. However, the custom pricing model may be more expensive than other options, and the user interface may need to be more intuitive for some users.

Accounting Software for Small Business 4

Other Accounting Software Options to Consider

In addition to the top accounting software options discussed earlier, there are other options to consider based on your business needs:

A. Free Accounting Software

Free accounting software can be a good option with a minimal budget. Examples of free accounting software include Wave Accounting and ZipBooks.

These software options offer basic accounting features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting but may need more functionality than paid options.

B. Open-Source Accounting Software

Open-source accounting software allows users to access and modify the software’s source code. This can be a good option for businesses with specialised needs or requiring software customisations.

Examples of open-source accounting software include GnuCash and Odoo Accounting.

C. Industry-Specific Accounting Software

Some businesses may require specialised accounting software that caters to their industry-specific needs.

For example, restaurants may benefit from accounting software with menu costing and inventory management features.

Examples of industry-specific accounting software include FreshBooks for freelancers, Zoho Books for e-commerce businesses, and AccountEdge for retail companies.

D. Self-Employed Accounting Software

Self-employed individuals may require accounting software that caters to their unique needs, such as managing invoices and tracking expenses for tax purposes.

Examples of self-employed accounting software include QuickBooks Self-Employed and FreshBooks for freelancers.

By considering these other accounting software options, you can find the software that best fits the needs of your business. Considering each option’s features, pricing, and functionality is crucial before deciding.

Accounting Software for Small Business 5

Conclusion

Choosing the right accounting software can be a crucial decision for small businesses. To recap the key takeaways from this blog post:

The right accounting software can help you save time, improve accuracy, and make informed financial decisions for your business.
When choosing accounting software, consider critical features such as financial tracking and reporting, invoicing and billing, inventory management, payroll management, tax management, integration with other software, security, and data backup.
Small businesses’ top accounting software options include Sage Accounting, Xero Accounting, QuickBooks Online, Iris Accounting, and SAP Accounting.
Other options include free accounting software, open-source accounting software, industry-specific accounting software, and self-employed accounting software.

For small businesses, our final recommendations are to carefully assess your business needs and choose the accounting software that best fits those needs. Consider factors such as the size and complexity of your business, your budget, and the most important features to you. Selecting the right accounting software allows you to streamline your financial processes and focus on growing your business.