Small businesses are definitely aware of the challenges of trying to compete with bigger companies. Not only do bigger companies have deeper pockets, but their budgets allow for cutting-edge technology to help them keep their customers happy. There are accounting software features available to help small businesses compete with the technology of large companies! Here are just a few of the features that help small businesses compete and keep their customers happy.

Multiple price levels

Have you ever put your customer on hold while feverishly searching for their pricing in a paper file? Consider using your accounting software to set up different pricing levels, so you can immediately see your customer’s price while you are on the phone with them. This makes your customer happy, and it also keeps you more organized and accurate.

Custom invoice tools

With the growth of technology comes the ability to print your invoices exactly how you want them. Having this ability allows you to look much more professional than just using a standard template without your logo and other crucial brand information. Use your software to personalize your invoices, and you will keep your image fresh and professional, just like the bigger companies.

Transaction search

Do you scramble to find customer information while they are on the phone? Perhaps the customer only knows the invoice number or the date, or maybe only the product he or she purchased; now it’s your job to search for the document based on what the customer has given you. It’s true the bigger companies have fabulous software systems, but nowadays many of the smaller systems are quite powerful and allow you to find what you are looking for fast. Check to see if your accounting software has transaction search capabilities, and find out all of the different ways you are able to search for information. You might be surprised about the variety of methods you can use to find what you are looking for! You can keep customers happy by giving them the information they need more quickly, rather than scrambling around or asking them to provide alternative information.

Customer reports

You may not think an accounting software report can benefit your customers in any way. One of the best ways to stay in touch with customers or find out which customers have drifted away is by running a customer analysis report. From there you can see who has purchased what, and when. You can detect customers who may have gone away, and give them a call to touch base. Or, you can call those customers first when running a special, to let them know about the special before anyone else. Using this report can let customers know you care about them and their business before they start buying from somebody else. That is a personal touch the larger companies are likely not going to offer.

Small touches can add up to a better experience for your customers! Use simple accounting software tools to enhance your image and keep your customers happy.

Are you and your business in need of new accounting software? Are you dreading the buying process because of stories you’ve heard? Many times, the stories you hear are just that. Check out these four myths about buying accounting software, and you might just gain the confidence to make the software purchase you need for your business.

1. Transition times are long and tedious.

   You may have heard others talking about their accounting software switch and how long it took to implement the new software. This is not a rare occurrence, but it’s definitely not a requirement for switching software. There are things you can do to prevent long transition times. Typically, these issues are the result of a lack of planning. You can lessen transition time by scheduling your data transfer or new data entry ahead of time. If your software vendor is going to help you, be sure they are committed to that date. Also m ake your internal staff aware of the scheduled date well ahead of time. When the data transfer/entry day arrives, you, your staff, and your vendor should place your primary focus on getting the data into the new software system. One mistake many businesses make is making the software transition a low priority, so efficiencies get lost, errors are made, and the process seems to drag on. Make your transition a priority, and it will be completed more quickly and efficiently.

2. You should wait until you have plenty of spare time to make the software transition.

   It is true that you should schedule your data transition/entry during a time you are not at your busiest. However, if you wait until you are absolutely sure the transition day will be free and clear of any problems, that day will never come. Your business will always have work to be done, issues to deal with, and problems to solve. Therefore, be realistic and shoot for a day and time that will provide those who are involved enough time to focus on the transfer.

3. There are hidden costs associated with accounting software systems that pop up after you purchase it.

   Believe it or not, many times what are considered “hidden costs” turn out to be needs and features that had not been discovered during the software search. This happens either because you forget to mention it, the sales representative didn’t ask about it, and/or your business needs changed. To keep this from happening, take control of your business needs well before your software search even begins. Make a list of the features your business needs. Get other departments involved in creating the list, and let them know that it will affect their job for years to come. Provide that list to your vendor and ask for a written quotation. Be sure your vendor understands your type of business, so they are also equipped to ask relevant questions you may not have considered.

4. There is a software package out there that precisely meets your every need.

   Unless a software vendor is completely customizing a system that is specifically tailored to your business, expecting it to match up perfectly with your every need is unrealistic. What is important, is to find one that fits your needs BEST, at a price point you can afford. This is where your list of needs comes in handy. Use the list, and also schedule a live demonstration of the system for everyone involved. This way you can learn how the system will handle your needs, or discover deal breakers well ahead of time.

With careful planning and preparation, your company can find an accounting software system that will fit well and help your business for years to come.

You’ve probably noticed a lot of people talking about Facebook. No matter where you go, it seems like somebody has something to say about Facebook! But let’s just say you have set up your fan page and now the crickets are chirping. Now what? There are some things you can do that your fans would appreciate! And if they like what they see, your fans will share it, too. Then the friends of your fans will see it, and so on! This is when your Facebook page can really pay off. Give these tips a try and your social networking could really take off.

Give special offers.

People always love a good deal, and they especially love it when it’s exclusive! Reward your Facebook fans by giving them a special deal nobody else can get. And don’t give out the samples from the back room, make it something they really WANT. It doesn’t have to cost a lot, but make it worth talking about.

Spread industry news.

If you are an industry leader, you surely receive word about things happening in your industry. Your customers would surely like to be in the loop on what is going on also. Give them a tidbit of information they crave by posting your inside knowledge on Facebook! Your customers will love it, and you will position yourself as an industry leader.

Share customer comments.

Has a customer given you a nice compliment lately? Take those comments and spread the word by posting them on Facebook! Posting the comments and thanking your customer for them on your Facebook page gives others a chance to chime in as well. Of course, it’s always a good idea to check with your customer to be sure they approve of having their comments posted on your Facebook page.

These are just a few of the ways you can take action and get your customers talking about your company and your products!

Remember the days of using a calculator and a typewriter to process payroll? Thankfully, those days are gone, and there are much simpler tools to make the process more efficient. Today, there are tools available to help ensure timely tax payments, accurate and complete payrolls, and to make sure employees are paid on time. These days, most businesses use one of two methods to process payroll: in-house payroll software, or a payroll service. As a business, you must choose the method of payroll processing that works best for you. Start out by asking yourself these simple questions.

What staff is available to manage the process?

No matter which processing method you use, you will need staff to manage the associated tasks. Many in the business world tend to believe that a payroll service takes less staff time, since it handles the tax payments and processing. While this may be true, be sure to account for all of the time your staff must spend collecting and entering time data for employees (if applicable), updating employee earning and deduction changes, running payroll reports, and generally making sure that data is accurate and timely. When using a payroll software program, it is a good idea to have at least one employee who is familiar with your payroll processes, and your payroll software. He/she should be able to set up employee information, enter time in the appropriate manner, process payroll, run reports, maintain tax filing schedules and be able to file them using your system.

Who manages what?

It is important to consider your current staff and their expertise, when you are deciding on payroll processing. For instance, if you don’t have a skilled HR person, you may lean toward a payroll service, since some of them offer HR services. If you have a person who is skilled in using in-house payroll software already, you might find it easier to stay with that. Consider who you have on staff and their expertise, and then whatever system you choose will come along with a much smoother transition.

Where is my data safest?

There is a major different in the location of your payroll data when comparing a payroll service to in-house software. With a service, your data is typically stored in a remote location and accessed via the internet. Of course, most services use strong encryption to provide security for your data. For payroll software, your data is stored on your own server, so the information is not available via the internet. However, you still need to be sure there is a good internal security system, since payroll data is sensitive, and you don’t want unauthorized employee’s to log in and view or edit sensitive data.

No matter whether you use payroll software or a service, payroll solutions are definitely a key way of ensuring your payroll is easy to manage, accurate, and that taxes are paid on time! And of course most importantly, that your employees get their checks. There are a few additional steps you can take to make your employees happy. Just by adding features that may already be included within your payroll solution, you may increase the happiness level of your employees!

Add direct deposit

You might just be surprised how much happier employees would be by receiving their pay directly deposited into their bank account, rather than receiving a paper check. Direct deposit allows employees to eliminate the hassle of going to the bank, and also reduces the chances of lost checks. Some payroll solutions even allow for the depositing of funds to unlimited bank accounts, allowing for Christmas savings accounts, additional checking accounts, child savings accounts, and more!

Offer pay card option

Some employees may not have bank accounts, and in those cases it can be difficult or costly for them to find a way to cash their paychecks. Pay cards can be a great way to solve this problem! Deliver employee pay on reloadable debit cards instead of paper checks and you have just made some of your employees very happy by providing them an easy way to access the money they have earned.

Translate pay stubs into employee language

Do you have employees who are not native English speakers? Depending on their language skills, these employees may be better able to understand the important details of their pay and benefits if you have them printed on their pay stub in their native language. Payroll solutions that offer this feature will typically allow you to enter the translation one time, and assign it to the applicable employee(s), and the pay stub will be printed that way automatically from then on.

Add important information to pay stubs benefit summary etc.

Are employees constantly asking how much vacation time they have left? How much they’ve contributed to their 401K? Details like this, and much more can be included on a pay stub. Surely your company has its own unique set of details which you may want to include on the pay stub, so add whatever is most important to your business and your employees.

Add online pay stub access.

Many payroll solutions are now offering the ability for employees and previous employees to access their pay stubs online! No more searching around for slips of paper to access the information they need. Provide employees or previous employees with a password, and they will be able to look up their pay stubs and even W-2 forms online, making it easy for both them and you.

Don’t assume that what you are doing is the best or only solution available! You could make your own job easier as well as bump up employee happiness by adding features you may already have in your payroll system.