Time of the year is near and auditing period is
here again. XeerSoft always understand challenges faced by business
owners as well as accountants. In this issue, we will inspect the need
of using web-based or online accounting system as compared to desktop
accounting.
We will also look into factors to consider before
implementing web-based accounting system or online accounting solutions.
Here, we are talking about desktop accounting
where you buy boxed software off the shelf, install onto your computer
and use it. Web-based accounting system will have you login to your
system using Internet Explorer and process transactions via the
Internet.
Desktop Accounting
Let us first examine desktop accounting. Fast,
really simple, easy-to-use and comprises of all basic features of
accounting. Anyone can simply buy the software off-shelf and use
immediately. A majority of account clerks are familiar with desktop
accounting, making it easier to implement such system. Come auditing
time and ending financial year, accountants and auditors will spend
time examining full year accounting records, do currency realizations
for the full 365-day period, check on records and authorize financial
reports. One-system-fits-all as accounting principles is quite similar.
So, if desktop accounting is meant for your business, continue using it
until there is a need to upgrade. Allow me to shed lights into why
“higher grades” of accounting systems are needed.
Web-based Accounting
When companies grow larger and expand, one system
does not fit all anymore. Even companies in the same industry may have
different accounting practices. Example, a company allows a post-dated
cheque to be included as credit limit but another company may think
otherwise.
Understanding different needs in accounting,
XeerSoft figures out a few key points to look at when purchasing a
web-based accounting system.
1. Up-front costs
2. Implementation Speed
3. Security and Accessibility
4. Configurable and Scalability
5. Support and Training
Implement a “ready-made” web-based accounting will
be more affordable and quicker to deploy compared to writing your own
accounting software. While programmers and software developers can
write codes, too seldom an Information Technology expert could also
understand accounting and financial terms unless he is well-trained and
experienced in both fields.
Web-based accounting systems host your data in a
server. Therefore, utilize services like data replication and backups.
Also find out if data can be saved or exported to a file format you
could use, such as a spreadsheet. Most vendors charge extra for these
services, do ask for the pricing as well.
You have the flexibility to access a web-based
accounting system anywhere and have overall control even if you have
multi-companies in multiple locations. Contradicting this feature, you
will want that a web-based accounting system allows security in
restricting access – you do not want everyone to access your accounting
data everywhere.
Also ensure that the system can be configured to
your needs. First list down requirements for your accounting needs and
find out if the system could fulfill your needs. Ensure that the system
is scalable - can be upgraded and integrate with other modules easily.
You normally look into implementing a new system because your business
is expanding. So, if your software does not support your business
expansion, do not rely on it.
Desktop accounting system is simple enough to
deploy due to its simplicity. Not in the case of web-based accounting
system because its flexibility and additional features also makes it
somewhat more complex to learn from. So, you will want to ensure
vendors include on-going after-sales support and trainings.
XeerSoft Factor
At XeerSoft, we provide a complete business
requirement study to configure a web-based accounting system that fits
your business and supports business expansion. Extra features in
XeerSoft Web-based Accounting System includes multi-currency,
multi-lingual, multiple companies accounts consolidation,
multi-currency realization, workflow authorizations, middleware to link
to hypermarkets electronic data interchange systems and easily scalable
by integration with XeerSoft modules.
Browse to www.XeerSoft.com/Accounting
for more information, screenshots and articles related to accounting.
Article Source: http://
www.articlesbase.com/information-technology-articles/webbased-
accounting-vs-desktop-accounting-1413388.html About the Author
Hoong Ling graduates with honours in Bachelor of
Science in Information System. Experienced in sales and business
consultation in an ERP system company, she also writes IT articles for
various magazines. She also appears frequently in the local media.
Kindly visit http://www.XeerSoft.com for more information | 