Are you looking for the best professional tax software or accounting software for your firm? Do you want to team up with a provider to help manage your clients’ books? If so, you need to know what to look for in accounting software. If you are thinking of getting a provider, then you should know what factors to consider:
Accounting Software Factors to Consider
As an accountant, your objective is accuracy, both in your books and in your clients’. There are a few other factors you should consider when shopping for accounting software, however:
Accounting Provider’s Customer Service Reputation
Customer service reputation is vital because, without customer help, your clients will be in trouble. The time you spend taking care of your own clients’ accounts should be time devoted to creating additional revenue. If you choose a well-known provider for customer service, you can devote more time to other important tasks.
Stability of the Company
Choose a stable accounting software provider to ensure that your accounting software is secure. When choosing a provider, you also want to ensure that the company itself is stable so it can ensure that you have a secure product.
Try to find out how long the company has been in business. Going back at least three years should give you enough information to make an informed decision. You also need to find out how the company is structured.
For example, is it a large corporation, or is it a small business? Knowing this information will help you figure out how stable it is.
Whether the Software Is Desktop (Local) or Cloud-Based
Some accounting software providers use a cloud-based system, while others use a desktop, local application. Local software usually runs on your computer, while cloud-based software runs with an Internet connection.
Local software is less secure, because it is in your computer, while cloud-based software is more secure, because it runs on the Internet, making it more difficult for hackers to break through.
Kinds of Features the Software Offers
There are many features accounting software can offer. You should know what features your firm or clients require and determine whether your accounting software can provide them. Depending on your profession, your firm or clients may require features such as credit card services, payroll, or legal tools.
Other features that you may want to take into consideration are the following:
- Credit Card Services
- Customer Attachment Programs
- Billing Tools
- Legal and Non-legal Tax Tools
- Integrations with Other Businesses
Cost of Software
Your budget should also be a consideration when choosing accounting software. Although you want a good accounting software provider, you want to pay the appropriate fee. If you find software that is affordable, then you should definitely buy it.
The cost of your accounting software depends on which features it offers. For example, basic accounting software may be as low as $50 per month, but if you need high-end features like credit card services, the price will be higher.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tax preparation software provider can help you manage your clients’ books. Whether you choose a local or cloud-based provider, you should always make sure you choose a reputable provider. Doing so will allow you to focus on other important tasks, such as creating additional revenue for your firm or ensuring that your clients pay their bills on time.
Keystone Tax Solutions is the best tax pro software provider that can help make tasks easier for tax preparers like you. Check out the features of our software today and sign up for a demo!
