The right accounting and billing database, whether you use on-site billing software or one of a number of available outsource billing companies, can streamline your billing practices with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Accuracy and efficiency are vital to the billing needs of your business. The more accurate your billing records are, the easier you'll find day-to-day functioning, not to mention getting instant access to billing reports when it's time for quarterly and annual reports. You can simplify daily operations, even tax time, with the right database billing. First, make some informed decisions about the billing process to match your business needs by considering:

1. Billing software vs. outsourcing

2. Integration with other business software applications

3. Customization options for time billing database management

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine which billing database system is right for your business

Many companies offer billing database management services. Finding the right one for your company is important. Request a detailed report of the services offered, the programs used, the confidentiality agreement, the price per service and record accessibility.

I recommend: Using an accounting and billing management service company like USA ePay takes the weight off your shoulders in an area you may not be comfortable with. They offer a secure customer billing database, as well as other payment solutions such as ePayment Forms and Fraud Center. WebOffice helps you create customized databases using pre-made templates.

Try time and billing database software before you buy

There is time and billing database software available no matter which system you are running, PC or Mac. For PC, Microsoft Office is the most popular choice. If you use Mac, there are versions of Microsoft Office available for purchase at Amazon.

I recommend: Timewatch is a company that focuses on time billing and management solutions. Use the Microsoft Office Accounting Express that works with other Office programs you already use. Download a free 60-day trial. For Mac, FileMaker Pro 9.0 is the most popular database application. Download a free trial and decide if it's right for you.

Customize your billing database solutions

Billing database software is only as good as it is relevant to your business needs. If outsourcing, choose a company with many billing database solutions. This ensures you are getting what you need, not a generic answer as applied to many businesses.

I recommend: QuickBooks Billing Solutions offers solutions to help you get paid faster and keep better billing records. Agile Billing Solutions provides assistance and services to a company in need of accounting and a billing system database. Though they specialize in medical claims billing, they offer services and solutions to other businesses as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Meet with a representative of a billing database management company before signing a contract to make sure all of your needs and concerns are addressed.