Accounting, invoicing, payroll; how to make 2017 the year you get your accounting software right!

Online accounting software can help you save time and money by making significant efficiencies in your accounting, invoicing and payroll processes, leaving you more time to grow your business. It is expected HMRC will soon launch the requirement for quarterly digital tax return information and it will be important to your business that you are ready to comply with ease. Johnston Smillie is digital ready to support you.

Accounting software has been around for years however recent developments in cloud based solutions and increased confident use of digital systems in small business, sole traders and contractors, has lead to an explosion of small business owners making the leap to online accounting. In response, Johnston Smillie has developed a team of highly trained digital specialists to support clients across Scotland in many ways with online accounting software and digital tax returns.

We can advise and or train you or your team in depth on:

• Xero
• QuickBooks
• Freeagent
• Sage

We help clients to:

• Research and decide on the best option for their business.
• Set up and move to the new system.
• Move from weekly to monthly payroll.
• Develop automated invoicing.
• Train teams to use the software to maximise benefits.

 We can provide:

• remote support for advice, refresher training or trouble shooting
• a fully outsourced solution for you

So, if 2017 is the year you are going to get your business accounting software sorted, whether this will be your first time or if you have adopted a solution you feel you have never made full use of, then here are our top tips:-

1. Note the time drains – Make a note of your admin time drains and estimate how many hours a month you spend. This could include payroll, invoices, and bank statement reconciliation. This will help you understand if the proposed improvements are worth it for you.
2. Prioritise your needs – Decide what’s most important. i.e is it getting invoices out to clients timely, or is it getting better access to your accounting system on the move. Once you have a list of priorities you will be better placed to review benefits of each software solution that you are considering and decide which best matches your needs.
3. Do your research – You are not the first business to adopt or develop use of an online accounting solution so speak to fellow business owners. Speak to us – as specialists in this area we support lots of clients every month and have a team trained in the leading accounting software solutions so we can help you make the selection.
4. Learn what you are missing – A short audit of what you are not using to maximum benefit for those already using a software solution can be a pivotal point. Rather than simply train you or your team, Johnston Smillie’s accounting software advisers can review the system you are on independently, and provide recommendations on improving use of the existing system or help you find a better suited system.
5. Benchmark the costs and benefits – Knowing what to expect, how much to spend and if its worth it can feel like a gamble. Clients will often say ‘why change something that isn’t broken?” When you spend most of your time in one business, it is tricky to know how your average costs and investment decisions compare to other businesses. Our team of accounting software experts can give you industry benchmark guidance on what you should expect in relation to your business which can be invaluable for you when deciding on the right software solution and how to make best use of it.

If you would like to get your accounting software in order give us a call for a no obligation chat to find out what difference this could make to your business. Our specialist team in accounting software could save you a lot of time and money by this time next year. Please contact Angie Harvey on 0131 317 7377 or email angie.harvey@jsca.co.uk and she will put you through to the right member of our team.