Your bookkeeping program is only as good as the individuals who use it and make it work. In other words, without proper training for staff, you can't make the most out of a new bookkeeping software program. Straightforward training in a variety of methods is suggested to get accounting staff up to speed on bookkeeping software in a quick manner.

Accounting bookkeeping software can simplify your business with a number of daily tasks including tracking income and expenses and creating invoices and customized reports, among other functions. What would take hours by hand, software can do easily and sometimes even automatically.

Keep the following information in mind when training for bookkeeping software:

1. Bookkeeping demos allow you to see all of the software features at work and realize how they would apply to your unique business situation.

2. If you receive business accounting software help through on-site teaching, make sure you are getting services from a professional and reputable firm. Is the quality of their work backed up with a satisfaction guarantee?

3. How important is small business bookkeeping software support? Can you get an answer to a question right away or will it take a day or two?

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

Utilize a bookkeeping software demo to take you through the program

Before purchasing new bookkeeping software, it's a good idea to experience the software firsthand. Many companies offer you a free demo or trial version so you can test it out yourself. This will give you a good idea of how complicated the program is and what kind of training and questions may pop up as you apply the software to your own business.

I recommend: Play around with data to see how TurboBooks.Biz would apply to your business. Sign up for a free 30-day trial and demo of Xero, billed as the world's easiest accounting system.

Get hands-on training for bookkeeper software

Many people learn best one-on-one or in a classroom setting. Keep this in mind as you train employees to use a new software program. Many professional services (even outside the software developer itself) offer in-house training so you can get the most out of your software program.

I recommend: CPS Accounting Services provides software training on your current version of bookkeeping software in Bookkeeping, QuickBooks, Simply Accounting, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. Sage Software offers training on its Simply Accounting software with four different courses.

Sign up for ongoing support for business bookkeeping software questions

What do you do when questions arise after the initial sale and training? Make sure you have support resources, whether it's from the software manufacturer or another provider. Knowing that reliable help is only a phone call away can give you peace of mind.

I recommend: QBalance.com specializes in help for QuickBooks users. You can sign up for a telephone support contract or one on an annual basis. Phone calls are welcome and encouraged by Software Simplified to make sure you're using your software to its fullest effects.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  With thousands of software for bookkeeping options on the market it may be best to hire a consultant who can make recommendations on the best choices not only for software but also for the training and support you'll need after the sale.

No matter what business you are in, you need to keep financial records through accurate bookkeeping. However, books are no longer a part of the procedure. No longer do you need to use dusty ledgers or pencils that always need sharpening. You can now use a bookkeeping program that will not only let you handle all the daily transactions in your business but also give you a way to transfer all the data as needed to your accountant for the end of month work.

Although business bookkeeping software is more expensive then bookkeeping with ledgers initially, it will pay for itself in the long run. Therefore, you shouldn't be afraid to take the plunge and buy bookkeeper software.

Questions to ask yourself when looking for small business bookkeeping software include:

1. What are the advantages of using bookkeeping software vs. bookkeeping ledgers?
2. Will a bookkeeping program save you money eventually?
3. Can you use the spreadsheet software that you already have instead of buying software for bookkeeping?
4. Do you want to use bookkeeping software online?

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

Look at the bookkeeping demos that you can try

Sometimes you won't know if business bookkeeping software is the right one for you until you try it. Take advantage of all the demos and free trials that you can. If you find it works for you and the price is right--buy it.

I recommend: Easy 1-Person Office 1.0 is a bookkeeping program that is best for small businesses. Try the bookkeeping software for free and see if it works for your business. If you are a Macintosh user, try Tiny Books 1.01. You can also download it for free and check it out.

Check out the bookkeeping software online

Find free bookkeeper software online. Although you need to check it out to see if it fulfills your needs, it can be worthwhile since it will save you some money in the end if it works for you.

I recommend: BS1 Professional Time Billing 2008.1 includes accounts payable, inventory, accounts receivable and all other accounting software. It also includes a getting started wizard and it is completely free.

Make your own spreadsheets to use as bookkeeping software

Create your own bookkeeping software by using the spreadsheet programs you already have installed on your computer. This won't cost you anything but time.

I recommend: Star Office is a complete office program that is completely compatible with Microsoft Office and has many templates that can get you started on you bookkeeping spreadsheets. If you don’t have it already, you can download it for free and try it before you buy it. Open Office is also a good spreadsheet program to use and it is completely free.

Buy business bookkeeping software if you have the resources

Training is a big expense in small businesses, so buying popular existing business bookkeeping software can save you money. Since people are already familiar with the accounting programs there isn't any training involved and the learning curve is short.

I recommend: For the money, I think QuickBooks is the best bookkeeping and accounting software on the market. They offer several different products that you can use in your business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can also use online bookkeeping software. However, be aware this should be a last resort because there are many hackers and you want to protect your financial data.

Whether you operate an accounting or bookkeeping firm or choose to perform the accounting function for your own small business, you need to find the right bookkeeping software that works for your company. Before you purchase any software, check out the bookkeeping software education and training provided with the software.

Some bookkeeper software doesn't require much training to get started; others do. Keep in mind, however, that initial training on the bookkeeping program you buy will get you up and running faster. It will also help you take full advantage of software capabilities that you might not otherwise discover, making the investment fully worth your while. Keep in mind three different types of training commonly available for business bookkeeping software:

1. Book keeping classes that are offered in a classroom setting or onsite at the user's place of business.

2. Internet-based training programs that prepare users to work with software for bookkeeping.

3. A bookkeeping software demo, tutorial and/or user guide.

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

Get face time with instructors via onsite or classroom training programs for bookkeeping software

The most expensive option, classroom or onsite training for business accounting software requires the expense of travel, an experienced instructor's time and additional resources. Still, if your budget allows, and the software is complex, classroom/onsite training can improve your efficiency and accuracy, resulting as a net gain for your company in the long run.

I recommend: Accounting Micro Systems provides small and medium-sized businesses with accounting and other business solutions and offers both onsite and classroom training options. Its product list includes Sage Software, SAP, Microsoft Business Solutions, Radio Beacon, MIK & Associates, Valogix and others. You might also look at trade organizations like the Association of Professional Accounting Software Consultants. Through the APASC, you can arrange for onsite/classroom training from various sources for Peachtree, Sage and other business or corporate bookkeeping software.

Take advantage of Internet-based accounting-bookkeeping software training opportunities

Saving money, convenience and the capability for refresher training as needed are several reasons for choosing bookkeeping software online solutions.

I recommend: If you use any of the Intuit software like QuickBooks, you'll appreciate the variety of training options offered online. Click on any of the links to learn more about Intuit's online courses, live webinars, the Intuit Academy Virtual Conference and educational podcasts. If you like working with CYMA accounting software, read more about the online classes available through its virtual classroom.

Train yourself on simpler bookkeeping software using tutorials and user guides

With a tight budget and a requirement for fairly simple software, you may not need to participate in a formal training program. You may just find that a tutorial or user's guide is all you need to get started.

I recommend: Invest in training tutorials with free QuickBooks bookkeeping demos from Marrutt Software Training. If your small business uses Microsoft Money Plus, you can train yourself for free using the software training guide. Access the guide from your software or by clicking on the links on the Money Plus webpage to learn how to use the Money Plus User Guide or to use the guide itself.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you choose to attend a training program in residence to learn the ins and outs of your small business bookkeeping software, find out about the student to workstation ratio first. For optimum learning, you'll definitely want a one-to-one ratio.

Bookkeeping software is necessary to handle all your financial data, including monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports. Many offices once used ledgers and entered data with a pencil. Today, there are many options. You should start with bookkeeping demos, to try the software before you buy. There is also software you can use if you are on a tight budget.

With so many bookkeeping software packages available, it is wise to get a package that includes bookkeeping software support. You should only consider this option if you have extra money to handle the cost of bookkeeping software, since there are so many other options available.

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

Bookkeeping software demos

Many companies offer bookkeeping demos to get you to try their software. Since there are so many to choose from, take advantage of this offer to get the right software for your business. Putting in the time to test different programs is crucial.

I recommend: Use the TurboBooks.Biz demo to see how easy it is to enter your data using its its software. Xero offers a 30 day free trial.

Free bookkeeping software

Not to be confused with bookkeeping demos, free bookkeeping software is just that -- totally free, no cost ever. You can only use demos for a limited time and then you need to purchase them.

I recommend: Compiere is a free bookkeeping software that can help you modernize your bookkeeping system. It provides a video for you to view so you can check out the program before you download it. TinyBooks 1.01 is a great bookkeeping software for Macintosh users.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are of the easiest ways to keep bookkeeping records. This eliminates the need for you to buy bookkeeping software, especially if you are not in a position to spend a lot.

I recommend: Open Office is a spreadsheet program that is completely compatible with Microsoft Excel; and the best part is that it is completely free. John F. Latcher & Associates has many tutorials on using spreadsheets to perform accounting functions.

Payroll software

Payroll software is frequently a component of bookkeeping software, or part of an accounting software suite. The benefits of integrating payroll and bookkeeping functions are obvious. Some payroll software companies will print up and send checks to employees, for a monthly subscription fee.

I recommend: Inuit offers a free payroll software program for small businesses that integrates with its suite of accounting and bookkeeping software programs.

Financial reports

You need to produce financial reports monthly, quarterly and annually. Using bookkeeping software makes the job easier.

I recommend: OpenPro is a bookkeeping software program that includes a financial report writer.

Bookkeeping software support

To understand your bookkeeping software and use it to its maximum benefit, you should make sure you have bookkeeping software support. Before you buy software, you should check to see if support is available, and if so, what type.

I recommend: QBalance.com offers support for QuickBooks users. It has a toll free hotline number to assist you.