Accounting Software

Accountancy Service: Accounting Software

At Stephenson Smart, we know selecting the right accounting software package can be difficult, particularly as there are so many options to choose from.

Price and functionality vary so widely as to make objective comparisons very difficult without spending a number of days on the selection process. The availability of internet (cloud-based) accounting packages is a complicated selection process.

We have set out below some areas we think you should consider when making your selection.

Determining Your Software Requirements

  • At the most basic level, you need to decide whether you just want something to replace the cash-book, to handle receipts and payments.
  • Or perhaps a more sophisticated ledger-based system to produce quotes, VAT returns, and monthly accounts would be more appropriate.
  • You may decide that you need a highly sophisticated system which, as well as doing all of the above, can also handle stock control and job costing and which also integrates with a web site.
  • You need to determine what kind of management and user information is required from the system.

Accounting Systems Advice – Online or In-House?

The next key decision is whether you want to run accounting functions in house, or over the Internet using a web-based provider. There are advantages and disadvantages either way. An online solution will involve a recurring monthly fee for the service whereas an in house solution will involve a one-off purchase price and then annual licence and upgrade fees.

With an online solution you must consider how secure the data is and whether it can be retrieved in the event the provider “disappears” or goes into administration/receivership.

Market Sector

Your business may be in a specialist market sector for which there are tailor made systems already available. Talk to Stephenson Smart as we are likely to have experience of your type of business. Talk to your trade association – they may already produce information to help you, and they may hold events and seminars on this issue.

Cost of Accounting Software

Cost should not be a primary constraint, as you tend to get what you pay for. If you are only willing to spend, £100, the system will be unlikely to meet all of your needs.

Accounting Software Training

Training is vital for the staff that will be using the system on a day-to-day basis. Do not assume that an experienced user would not benefit from training. We may be able to provide training for you or help you find appropriate training.

General Points for Accounting Software

  • What is the operating system for your computer network? (There is less of a choice of accounting packages if using a non-Windows platform).
  • How many users will require access (now or in the future)?
  • What volume of transactions will you be processing and can the software handle this?
  • Can the system produce VAT returns and, if you are on a special VAT scheme, can it cope with this?
  • Can orders and payments be taken over the Internet and downloaded to the accounting system?
  • Will the system let you export data to other packages such as spreadsheets and word-processing packages?
  • How does the system cope if you need to amend a transaction?
  • Is there a full audit trail (including details of modified transactions)
  • Does the system produce the information in an acceptable form to you and us (as your accountant) in order to complete all statutory and regulatory financial year-end and fiscal year-end tasks?
  • Does the system enable statutory online filing (VAT returns, EC Sales List returns for example)
  • Are there adequate security routines to prevent employees exceeding their level of processing authority (i.e. being able to restrict access on an individual user basis)?

How Stephenson Smart Can Help

Stephenson Smart has a wealth of experience of different systems and are here to help you with any of the steps involved in choosing and implementing an accounting package.

Please contact us for further advice or make an appointment to visit one of our offices.

At Stephenson Smart, we know selecting the right accounting software package can be difficult, particularly as there are so many options to choose from.

Price and functionality vary so widely as to make objective comparisons very difficult without spending a number of days on the selection process. The availability of internet (cloud-based) accounting packages is a complicated selection process.

We have set out below some areas we think you should consider when making your selection.

Determining Your Software Requirements

  • At the most basic level, you need to decide whether you just want something to replace the cash-book, to handle receipts and payments.
  • Or perhaps a more sophisticated ledger-based system to produce quotes, VAT returns, and monthly accounts would be more appropriate.
  • You may decide that you need a highly sophisticated system which, as well as doing all of the above, can also handle stock control and job costing and which also integrates with a web site.
  • You need to determine what kind of management and user information is required from the system.

Accounting Systems Advice – Online or In-House?

The next key decision is whether you want to run accounting functions in house, or over the Internet using a web-based provider. There are advantages and disadvantages either way. An online solution will involve a recurring monthly fee for the service whereas an in house solution will involve a one-off purchase price and then annual licence and upgrade fees.

With an online solution you must consider how secure the data is and whether it can be retrieved in the event the provider “disappears” or goes into administration/receivership.

Market Sector

Your business may be in a specialist market sector for which there are tailor made systems already available. Talk to Stephenson Smart as we are likely to have experience of your type of business. Talk to your trade association – they may already produce information to help you, and they may hold events and seminars on this issue.

Cost of Accounting Software

Cost should not be a primary constraint, as you tend to get what you pay for. If you are only willing to spend, £100, the system will be unlikely to meet all of your needs.

Accounting Software Training

Training is vital for the staff that will be using the system on a day-to-day basis. Do not assume that an experienced user would not benefit from training. We may be able to provide training for you or help you find appropriate training.

General Points for Accounting Software

  • What is the operating system for your computer network? (There is less of a choice of accounting packages if using a non-Windows platform).
  • How many users will require access (now or in the future)?
  • What volume of transactions will you be processing and can the software handle this?
  • Can the system produce VAT returns and, if you are on a special VAT scheme, can it cope with this?
  • Can orders and payments be taken over the Internet and downloaded to the accounting system?
  • Will the system let you export data to other packages such as spreadsheets and word-processing packages?
  • How does the system cope if you need to amend a transaction?
  • Is there a full audit trail (including details of modified transactions)
  • Does the system produce the information in an acceptable form to you and us (as your accountant) in order to complete all statutory and regulatory financial year-end and fiscal year-end tasks?
  • Does the system enable statutory online filing (VAT returns, EC Sales List returns for example)
  • Are there adequate security routines to prevent employees exceeding their level of processing authority (i.e. being able to restrict access on an individual user basis)?

How Stephenson Smart Can Help

Stephenson Smart has a wealth of experience of different systems and are here to help you with any of the steps involved in choosing and implementing an accounting package.

Please contact us for further advice or make an appointment to visit one of our offices.

Accounting Software

Our Offices

King's Lynn Office

22-26 King Street, King’s Lynn,
Norfolk, PE30 1HJ

Open 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday

T:   01553 774104

E:   kingslynn@stephenson-smart.com

Gorleston Office

East Coast House, Galahad Road, Beacon Park,
Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 7RU

Open 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday

T:   01493 382500

E:   eastcoastoffice@stephenson-smart.com

Acle Office

Queens Head House, The Street, Acle,
Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 3DY

Open 8:30am until 5pm Monday to Friday

T:   01493 750207

E:   acle@stephenson-smart.com

Fakenham Office

10 Oak Street, Fakenham,
Norfolk, NR21 9DY

Open 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday

T:   01328 863318

E:   fakenham@stephenson-smart.com

Wisbech Office

2 The Crescent, Wisbech,
Cambridgeshire, PE13 1EH

Open 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday

T:   01945 463383

E:   wisbech@stephenson-smart.com

March Office

23 Dartford Road, March,
Cambridgeshire, PE15 8AN

Open 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday

T:   01354 653026

E:   march@stephenson-smart.com

Downham Market Office

1st Floor, 9 Market Place,
Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9DG

Open 9:30am until 4:30pm Tuesdays and Fridays

T:   01366 384121

E:   downhammarket@stephenson-smart.com

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